PhotoScanner
PhotoScanner digitizes printed photographs and albums on a Mac, using an iPhone or a Mac-compatible scanner.
What PhotoScanner is
PhotoScanner digitizes printed photographs and albums on a Mac, using an iPhone or a Mac-compatible scanner. It can capture several prints in one go, then detect edges, correct perspective, straighten tilted images, and crop scans. Scan resolution is adjustable from 75 to 1200 DPI. You can add or correct dates and locations, and use editing controls for brightness, contrast, scratches, and color. Optional AI tools can repair damage, restore faded color, sharpen images, and colorize black-and-white photos; these use server-side processing and require a free account. Scanning, editing, and exporting work offline, though iPhone capture needs both devices on the same network. Exports include Apple Photos, Google Photos, and JPEG, PNG, or TIFF files saved to a Mac, external drive, or cloud storage. The Mac app requires macOS 14.6 or later and supports Intel and Apple Silicon; the free iPhone companion captures images for Mac processing.
Good
- Captures several printed photos in one scan.
- Adjustable scan quality from 75 to 1200 DPI.
- Works offline for scanning, editing, and exporting.
- Exports JPEG, PNG, and TIFF files.
- Optional AI can colorize black-and-white photos.
Watch out
- Mac app requires macOS 14.6 or later.
- Not available for Windows or iPad.
- AI enhancements require a free account and server processing.
Who it suits
PhotoScanner suits people digitizing family prints, albums, or larger photo collections, including users without technical experience. It is for Mac users who can meet the macOS 14.6 requirement; iPhone capture is available through its companion app.
Verdict
PhotoScanner combines batch capture, automatic correction, editing, and multiple export options for printed-photo digitization. Check the Mac requirement and note that AI enhancements use server processing and separate pay-per-use credits.
Plans and prices
From PhotoScanner's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Credits Small Pack | $1.99, paid once | AI enhancement credits · credits do not expire · pay per use |
| AI-Credits Medium Pack | $7.99, paid once | AI enhancement credits · credits do not expire · pay per use |
| AI-Credits Big Pack | $17.99, paid once | AI enhancement credits · credits do not expire · pay per use |
| Photo Scanner Lifetime | $19.99, paid once | full app · built-in editor · no recurring fees · one-time purchase |
The facts
Each one read from PhotoScanner's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- AI data handling
- The privacy policy says AI-related input is processed for feature delivery and improvement, is not kept longer than technically necessary unless stated otherwise, and is not sold or repurposed for profiling or marketing.checked 30 Sep 2026
- AI enhancement
- Optional AI tools repair damage, restore faded colors, enhance sharpness, and are charged per photo without a subscription.checked 30 Sep 2026
- AI processing
- AI enhancement uses server-side processing and requires a free account when AI features are used.checked 30 Sep 2026
- AI restoration
- Optional AI features repair scratches and damage, restore faded colors, improve sharpness, and colorize black-and-white photos.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Automatic correction
- It detects photo edges, straightens tilted images, corrects perspective, and crops scans.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Automatic cropping
- PhotoScanner detects photo edges, straightens tilted images, corrects perspective, and crops each scan.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Batch scanning
- It can scan several printed photos in a single capture.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Editing
- The built-in editor includes brightness, contrast, scratch removal, and color filters.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Export integrations
- Scans can be exported to Apple Photos, Google Photos, or as JPEG, PNG, or TIFF files to folders, external drives, or cloud storage.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Exports
- Scans can be exported to Apple Photos or Google Photos, or saved as JPEG, PNG, or TIFF files to a Mac folder, external drive, or cloud storage.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes it as built for preserving printed memories, including family photos, albums, and large digitization projects.checked 30 Sep 2026
- iPhone companion
- The iPhone app captures printed photos and sends them to PhotoScanner on Mac for processing.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Metadata
- Users can add or correct dates and locations for each scanned photo, and metadata is preserved on export.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Offline use
- Scanning, editing, and exporting work without an internet connection; iPhone scanning requires both devices on the same network.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Privacy
- PhotoScanner says ordinary photo processing happens locally on the Mac and photos are not transferred to the cloud unless deliberately exported.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- PhotoScanner digitizes printed photos and albums on Mac using an iPhone or a connected scanner.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Scanner compatibility
- The app supports Mac-compatible scanners using Apple’s native scanner driver, including USB and Wi-Fi scanners.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Scan quality
- The scan quality can be set from 75 to 1200 DPI.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- The privacy policy says data transfers use SSL or TLS encryption and that the company maintains security measures to protect data from third-party access.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Support is available by email at [email protected], with a stated typical response time of 24–48 hours.checked 30 Sep 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Berlin, Germanychecked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- The maker's company is ALFA LINE ASSETS UG (haftungsbeschränkt), with a listed address in Berlin, Germany.checked 30 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Mac requirements
- The site lists macOS 14.6 or later and support for Intel and Apple Silicon.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Platform limit
- The Mac app requires macOS 14.6 or later and is not available for Windows or iPad; the iPhone companion app is free.checked 30 Sep 2026
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