# PhotoScan by Google Photos

> Photos from the past, meet scanner from the future.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.google.android.apps.photos.scanner](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.google.android.apps.photos.scanner)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.google.android.apps.photos.scanner`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Google LLC
- **Category:** PHOTOGRAPHY
- **Downloads:** 69,692,303
- **Rating:** 4.06 / 5 (205,195 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.7.1.539739820
- **Last updated:** 2023-07-24
- **First published:** 2016-11-15
- **Publisher country:** US
- **Size:** 32 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-16
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photos.scanner)
- **Website:** [https://support.google.com/photos?p=scan\_help](https://support.google.com/photos?p=scan_help)
- **Privacy policy:** [http://www.google.com/policies/privacy](http://www.google.com/policies/privacy)

## Description

**PhotoScan by Google Photos** transforms how you digitize your printed photos. Use your phone's camera to create enhanced, glare-free scans with a step-by-step capture process ensuring perfect results every time.

Key features include automatic cropping via edge detection, perspective correction for straight rectangular scans, and smart rotation to keep your photos properly oriented. Scan your memories quickly without the hassle of manual editing.

Keep your scans safe and organized by backing them up in Google Photos. Benefit from easy searching, editing with filters and advanced controls, and share your cherished memories effortlessly with others through simple links.

## Rankings

- #2,209 — Overall
- #4 — camera scanning
- #5 — scan
- #20 — image

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.CAMERA`
- `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE`
- `com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES`

## Review summary

Users praise auto-cropping and glare removal and the app's usefulness, but complain about a mandatory watermark, device compatibility with newer Android versions, missing export options, and inconsistent scan quality or circle-detection issues.

### Pros

- Auto-cropping and corner detection with glare removal when the scan works.
- Simple, straightforward to use.
- Useful for both business and personal use; highly regarded app from Google.
- High-quality scans when instructions are followed (looks like a real scanner).

### Cons

- Mandatory watermark on all scans; cannot remove (workarounds like screenshots are required).
- Incompatibility with newer devices/Android versions; not available on newer models.
- No built-in export/upload to Google Photos and no PDF export option.
- Scan quality can be poor with glare or blur; processing can be slow.
- Occasional circle/detection issues causing 'Scan NOT Completed' or inability to move the circle.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.google.android.apps.photos.scanner)