How to Scan Old Photos (Beginner’s Guide)

TL;DR

Gather and prep prints first so you can batch-scan without stopping to clean or unframe.

Use a smartphone app for speed; switch to a flatbed only when you need ultra-high DPI.

Light from the side, keep the phone parallel, and disable flash to stop glare before it starts.

Save, rename, and back up every scan immediately—cloud + external drive keeps memories safe.

Photomyne™ and Google PhotoScan™ are mentioned for comparison only; we are not affiliated.

Boxes of prints feel intimidating, but you only need a simple workflow to preserve them. This beginner-friendly playbook shows you how to prepare photos, choose the right scanning method, and organize every file so your archive is future-proof. You will learn how to set up a low-glare capture station with tools you already own, when to trade speed for resolution, and how to build a backup plan that protects scans from loss. We’ll point you to deeper resources—like our iPhone scanning hub and restore old photos series—so you can keep momentum once the first batch is digitized. By the end, you’ll have a repeatable routine for scanning any album without guesswork.

What You’ll Learn

How to prep fragile prints quickly (cleaning, flattening, sorting).
The trade-offs between smartphone apps and flatbed scanners.
Lighting and camera tricks that eliminate glare before capture.
Organization tactics to name, back up, and share digital copies.

1) Gather and Prepare Your Photos

Remove prints from frames or plastic sleeves to avoid reflections.
Dust gently with a microfiber cloth and flatten curled corners under a book.
Group photos by year, event, or album so you can scan in logical batches.

Keeping prep lightweight prevents scratches and speeds the work once you start scanning.

2) Pick the Right Scanning Method

Smartphone apps: PhotoScanRestore, Google PhotoScan, or Photomyne auto-crop, batch capture, and enhance on-device. One Photomyne user scanned 500 photos in a few hours thanks to batch mode.
Flatbed scanners: Deliver 600+ DPI resolution and consistent color, but require computer tethering and manual cropping.

Choose the phone approach for most family prints; switch to a flatbed for delicate originals or when you plan oversized reprints. Compare both workflows in our app vs. scanner guide.

3) Set Up a Glare-Free Scanning Station

Place prints on a neutral background with indirect light from windows or diffused lamps.
Turn off the camera flash and hold the phone parallel to the photo; brace elbows or use a mini tripod for stability.
When glare won’t disappear, use PhotoScan’s multi-angle capture to blend reflections out.

These habits prevent the shiny hotspots that force tedious retakes later.

4) Capture and Review Every Scan

Launch your app, align the frame with a thin border, and follow on-screen prompts.
Capture with steady hands (or voice control), then confirm crops and automatic enhancements.
For scanners, set 300 DPI as your default; step up to 600 DPI for tiny prints or planned enlargements and crop each image before saving.

Keep a “rescan” sticky note nearby to flag stubborn photos you’ll retry at the end.

5) Save, Organize, and Back Up Immediately

Rename files with meaningful patterns like 1978-07-lake-weekend-01.jpg.
Organize into folders or albums by year/event, matching the piles you created offline.
Back up using the 3-2-1 rule: store copies in cloud storage, on your computer, and on an external drive.
Share highlight reels with family right away—collaboration surfaces missing dates and names fast.

Future you (and your relatives) will love that the archive is searchable and redundant.

What’s Next?

You've learned the workflow, now see the results. A great scan is the foundation for a stunning restoration. Upload a photo and see what's possible.

➡️ Try the free PhotoScanRestore demo now

Keep the momentum going with our organize & digitize checklist.

FAQs

Do smartphone apps really match scanner quality? Yes—for standard 4×6 prints, 12 MP phone sensors plus multi-angle glare removal deliver ~300–400 DPI equivalents, which is enough for screen viewing and same-size reprints. Switch to a scanner when you need archival DPI for enlargements or negatives.

How long does it take to digitize 100 photos? Expect roughly an afternoon with a mobile app thanks to batch capture. Dedicated users report scanning 500 photos in a few hours with Photomyne’s voice-trigger batch mode. A flatbed can take multiple evenings because you place and crop each print.

What DPI should I pick on a flatbed? Set 300 DPI for most prints. Use 600 DPI for small snapshots or when you plan large reprints. Higher settings dramatically increase file size and scanning time without visible gains for casual viewing.

How do I handle photos that are stuck to album pages? Scan the entire page using a flatbed or panorama capture, then crop digitally. Forcing the print off old adhesive can rip the emulsion. If you must remove it, warm the back gently with a hairdryer on low to soften glue, but proceed slowly.

Where should I store the originals after scanning? Slip them into acid-free sleeves or boxes and keep them in a cool, dark, low-humidity closet. Avoid basements, attics, and garages—temperature swings accelerate fading.

Can I automate backups from my phone? Absolutely. Enable auto-sync in Google Photos, iCloud, or Dropbox so every scan uploads instantly. Still export periodic archives to an external drive for belt-and-suspenders redundancy.

Editor’s note: Part of the Restore Old Photos hub. Digitizing is the first step—pair it with our restoration guides to bring every print back to life.