How to Scan Old Photos on iPhone [3 Free Ways]

You’ve discovered old photos at home, some dating back to the last century. These photos hold precious memories but lack digital copies and can become blurry over time. To digitize the old photos, some would try scanning from a printer to a phone, but things can be easier.

Here, we’ve selected several methods for scanning old photos directly on your iPhone – no printer or scanner is needed. Beyond scans, these tools also enhance the photos, revealing more details of the old times.

How to Scan Old Photos on iPhone with PDFgear Scan – Quickly Get Pics Enhanced

PDFgear Scan is a dedicated photo and document scanner for iPhone users. It allows you to scan pictures from the camera roll or directly from the camera for free.

This scanner intelligently recognizes old photos against distracting backgrounds and automatically deskews them for a straight perspective.

With multiple filters, PDFgear Scan enhances photo quality by adding shadows and increasing contrast to highlight important details.

Step 1. Download and install PDFgear Scan from App Store. Launch it on your iPhone.

Step 2. Tap the Plus icon to start scanning with Camera and choose the “Scan Document.” Hold your phone over the old photo and adjust the angle to fit the picture in the frame. PDFgear Scan will automatically capture the image, or you can manually capture the scan by tapping the shutter button.

Step 3. Tap the thumbnail of the photos to rotate or crop them. Tap “Done” for more photo editing. After editing, tap the “More” button to share or save the scanned photos.

To cater to various photo-saving needs, PDFgear Scan supports converting scanned documents to image, Word, and text formats. You can also make notes on the photos or combine multiple old photos into a long image for efficient sharing.

How to Scan Old Photos on iPhone with PhotoScan – Scan without Glare

PhotoScan, part of Google Photos, specializes in glare-free photo scanning. Even under bright lights, you can get the photos scanned clearly.

The interface of PhotoScan is concise, with only a few buttons, making it easy to understand even for seniors.

Step 1. Download PhotoScan from the App Store. Install and launch it on your iPhone.

Step 2. If it’s your first time using it, allow PhotoScan to access your camera. Before scanning, tap the glare removal icon (a magic wand) to enable glare elimination. If the lighting is suitable, you can disable this feature.

Step 3. Hold your iPhone steadily over the old photo and tap the shutter button to scan. In the glare removal mode, you will see four white dots on the screen. Move your phone’s camera and let the circle meet each dot to capture the whole photo. Repeat the process for additional photos.

Step 4. After scanning, tap the thumbnail of the photos. In the new window, you can rotate, adjust the borders, or delete the scanned photo if needed. Tap the share button in the upper right to share or save the images.

While PhotoScan is powerful in glare reduction, it does not always work perfectly. This feature requires patience and can be a bit complex for some. If you prefer a simpler scan and cloud service, Microsoft Lens may meet your needs.

How to Scan Old Photos on iPhone with Microsoft Lens – Simple and Efficient

Microsoft Lens is a professional scanner that quickly captures your old photos. It offers different file size options, allowing you to choose between high-quality presentation or saving device storage.

This scanner offers multiple filters to highlight details or clean up unwanted parts in photos. With Microsoft Lens, old photos can be saved as images or PDFs for easy sharing. Microsoft users can also save to OneDrive for cross-platform access.

Step 1. Get Microsoft Lens on your iPhone

Step 2. Open the app and select “Photo” mode at the bottom of the screen. Position your phone’s camera properly over the photo and tap the shutter button to capture the photo.

Step 3. After the scan, adjust it if needed. You can add more scans and filters to the scan. Then, tap the “Done” button to save the scan as a PDF or an image.

FAQs

What are the best settings for scanning old photos?

When scanning old photos, opt for a resolution of 300 DPI or higher to preserve details, select filters for accuracy, and save files in TIFF or PNG format to ensure quality. Ensure both your camera and photos are clean to prevent dust and smudges.

Can I edit scanned photos directly on my iPhone?

Yes. PDFgear Scan allows direct editing for scanned photos on iPhone. Users can add text, draw lines, and filters to the scanned photos or sign on them.

Is it possible to scan multiple photos at once with an iPhone?

Yes, many scan apps on iPhones enable scanning multiple photos at once. The native Notes app and third-party app PDFgear Scan both support auto-edge detection and batch scanning to streamline the process of digitizing multiple photos in one go.

How do I ensure scanned photos are straight and not skewed?

To ensure scanned photos are straight, use apps like PDFgear Scan and PhotoScan which can automatically deskew the scan. You can also use the preview function in the apps, and adjust the photo manually.