Review · Creators & media
Google PhotoScan review
A free scanner app from Google Photos that removes glare from glossy prints by combining several captures of the same photo.
By the DBotMaker research desk · Updated November 12, 2026
- Capabilities (40%)
- 7.6
- Ease of setup (30%)
- 9.2
- Value (30%)
- 9.8
PhotoScan is the best free answer for glossy prints, which are the main headache when you scan with a phone. Instead of one photo of a photo, the app walks you through a short capture flow, moving the phone over the print, then combines the shots to remove glare. It crops by edge detection, corrects perspective so the scan comes out rectangular, and rotates it the right way up. You can switch glare removal off for matte prints and documents to go faster. Scans save to your phone and back up through Google Photos, where the editing, sharing and search happen. The trade-offs are speed and scope: it handles one print at a time, has no colorizing or face repair, and the iOS app has not been updated since version 1.7 in November 2022. The US App Store lists it as free with no in-app purchases. We compared documented features and published prices.
Who it is for
anyone who wants a free, glare-free scan of glossy prints
Price
Free; the US App Store lists no in-app purchases.
High res, glare-free scanner Only for iPhone Free
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.
Key features
- Step-by-step capture flow that removes glare from glossy prints
- Automatic cropping based on edge detection
- Perspective correction for straight, rectangular scans
- Smart rotation keeps scans right-side up
- Backs up scans through the Google Photos app
Strengths and weaknesses
- Strength: Free with no in-app purchases listed on the US App Store
- Strength: Rated 4.8 from 91K ratings on the US App Store
- Strength: Glare removal can be turned off for faster scans of matte prints and documents
- Weakness: Scans one print at a time
- Weakness: No colorizing, face repair or tagging inside the app
- Weakness: Last iOS update listed on the App Store is version 1.7 from November 2022
Key facts
- Developer: Google LLC
- Price: Free
- Platforms: iPhone and Android
- App Store rating: 4.8 from 91K ratings (US)
- Latest iOS version: 1.7, November 21, 2022
Where it ranks
Google PhotoScan is No. 2 in our Best Apps to Scan Old Photos verdict.
Alternatives we scored
Visit google.com · Questions or corrections: editorial@dbotmaker.io