A complete guide to capturing your space. No experience needed — just your phone, a free app, and 10–15 minutes per room.
Three things to get started — you probably already have two of them.
iPhone 12 Pro or newer (with LiDAR) gives the best results. iPhone 8+ and ARCore-compatible Android devices (most 2019+ phones) work in photo/photogrammetry mode. Check the app links below for specific device compatibility.
We recommend Polycam, Scaniverse, or the Matterport app. All are free to download and easy to use. See our app comparison below.
Walk slowly through each room you want renovated. The app guides you in real time. Most people nail it on their first try.
Most are free to download, with free trials or low-cost scans. Click any app name to check compatibility with your device.
The most versatile scanning app. LiDAR mode for supported devices, plus photo mode for most others. Easy export in multiple formats.
Built by Niantic. Excellent LiDAR scans with a clean, beginner-friendly interface. Great color accuracy. Truly free with no watermarks.
Industry-standard for virtual tours. Creates shareable 3D walkthroughs. Just share your Matterport link and we'll extract what we need.
Not sure if your device is compatible? Check the LiDAR-equipped iPhones & iPads list or the ARCore-supported Android devices list.
Follow these steps for a scan our designers can work with.
Install Polycam, Scaniverse, or Matterport from your app store. Open the app and create a free account if prompted. Familiarize yourself with the interface by doing a quick test scan of a small area like a desk or countertop.
Turn on all the lights in the rooms you want to scan. Open blinds and curtains for extra natural light. Clear any major clutter from floors and surfaces — the scan captures everything it sees, so a tidy room means cleaner data for our designers.
Open the app and select "Room Scan" or "LiDAR Scan" mode. Hold your device at chest height and slowly walk through the room, sweeping your phone side to side in smooth, overlapping passes. Move at a steady walking pace — like you're giving someone a video tour.
Pause at windows, doors, outlets, and built-in features to let the scanner capture them clearly. Get close to countertops, cabinets, and any areas you specifically want renovated. For kitchens and bathrooms, make sure to scan inside corners and behind fixtures where possible.
When you're done, the app will process your scan into a 3D model. Rotate it around and check for any missing walls, large holes, or areas that look warped or incomplete. If you spot gaps, you can usually re-scan just that area and the app will merge the data.
Export your scan in this priority order:
.obj with textures — zip the .obj, .mtl, and any texture image files together into one .zip.glb — single file with embedded textures (no zipping needed).usdz — what most iPhone scans produce directlyHead to our upload page and drop in your file (or paste the link).
Quick do's and don'ts for a great scan.
Bright, even lighting produces the best scans. Open blinds and turn on overhead lights.
Moving too fast causes blur and gaps. Walk slowly and steadily — think "museum pace."
Cover each area from multiple angles. 30% overlap between passes eliminates blind spots.
Reflective surfaces confuse LiDAR. Cover large mirrors with a towel if they're in the scan area.
Walk through doorways into connecting rooms so our designers understand the full layout.
Keep the phone at chest height angled slightly down. The sensor captures above and below your aim point.
Snap a few regular photos of details you care about — finishes, fixtures, problem areas.
Movement creates ghost artifacts. Keep pets and family out of the scanning zone.
Our top pick is OBJ with textures (zipped). It imports cleanly into the CAD software we use and preserves color/material information.
Having issues? Here are the most common fixes.