Easily scan your physically printed pictures with Google PhotoScan

Google has a new app called Google PhotoScan which allows you to digitize all your old paper photos into digital photos.

I think we are all guilty of taking a picture of a picture; I know I am. What else can you do when you see a picture that was printed on paper that you can’t have, right?

Or how about the countless boxes of old photos you have stuffed in the attic? Isn’t it time you give them a digital makeover? Well, for most people without a scanner this isn’t an option.

All of that is over thanks to Google PhotoScan which is available today for Android and iOS. I only wish it had come out sooner, but better late than never.

How to Use Google PhotoScan

PhotoScan has a ridiculously simple interface. The only button you need to worry about is the white circle at the bottom. Tap on it and the app will guide as to where you need to move the camera to scan your physical picture. All you have to do is scan the four corners of the picture and the app automatically does the rest.

Whenever you want to see the picture you scanned, open the app and tap on the circle that shows you a preview of your image (bottom right-hand corner).

The app also tells you not to worry about glare, but I would if you’re concerned about the quality of the picture. If you don’t mind going to all the trouble of setting up your scanner, you’ll probably get better quality with that.

The app crops, rotates, and color corrects the picture for you, so you have one less thing to worry about. Google PhotoScan also automatically saves your pictures to your Google Photos library, so you can say it’s an extension of the Photos App.

As you can see the app is very easy to use. Do you think you will give it a shot? Let me know in the comments.

► Google PhotoScan