How to Save Your Old Family Photos Using Just Your Phone
By Maurice
Tech-Savvy Grandkid | February 22, 2026
Hey there! 👋
How are you doing today? I was just looking through some old albums at Grandma's house and realized how scary it is that these are the only copies we have! If you've got dusty albums on a shelf, don't worry—we're going to fix that today without buying any fancy equipment.
Why "Scan" Them?
You know how physical photos can fade, turn yellow, or (heaven forbid) get lost? "Scanning" them just means taking a high-quality digital picture of the photo.
It turns that piece of paper into a file on your phone that you can send to me, Aunt Linda, or cousin Joey in seconds. Plus, it's a great backup!
The Magic Tool: Google PhotoScan
You might think, "Maurice, can't I just take a picture of the picture?" You can, but usually, you get that annoying glare from the lamp or the window reflection.
That's why we use an app called Google PhotoScan. It's free (my favorite price!) and does some computer magic to remove the glare.
How to Do It (Step-by-Step)
- Download the AppHead to your App Store (on iPhone) or Play Store (on Android). Type in "PhotoScan by Google Photos". Look for the icon that looks like a gray camera shutter.
- Find a Flat SurfacePlace your photo on a table. Try to have some light in the room, but don't worry too much about glare—the app fixes that!
- Start the ScanOpen the app and hold your phone over the photo. You'll see a shutter button (the big circle). Tap it once.
- Chase the Dots!This is the fun part. Four white dots will appear over your photo corners. Move your phone to cover each dot with the circle in the middle of your screen. Hold it steady until the dot turns blue!
- Done!Once you hit all four dots, the app stitches them together, removes the glare, and saves it to your phone.
What is "The Cloud"? (Simplified)
Once you scan these, they usually go to "The Cloud." I know that sounds like weather, but it's just a fancy way of saying a giant, safe computer somewhere else that holds your photos for you.
This means if you drop your phone in the toilet (it happens!), your photos are still safe in the "Cloud" and we can get them back on your new phone.
Maurice's Top Tips
- Wipe your lens first: Use a soft cloth to wipe your phone camera. Fingerprints make photos look foggy!
- Don't rush: Take your time moving between the dots.
- Share them! Once you scan a good one, text it to the family group chat. Everyone loves a good "throwback" picture.
Give it a try with just one photo today. Maybe that wedding photo on the mantel? I bet looking at it closely will bring back some great memories.
Love,
Maurice (your tech-savvy grandkid) 🧢