BeforeAfterRestore Old Photos with AI
Upload a faded, scratched or torn photo. AI repairs the damage, sharpens faces and can add natural color, while keeping every face looking like the same person.
Engine
Images0/10
Prompt539/20000
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfterFix a Faded 70s Snapshot
BeforeAfterRepair a Folded Portrait
BeforeAfterRestore & Colorize a Wedding
BeforeAfterRestore a Water-Damaged Family Photo
BeforeAfterFix a Torn 1940s Portrait
How it works
How to restore old photos online
Upload the photo
Scan or take a straight, well-lit phone photo of the print, then upload it. Higher resolution keeps more detail.
Adjust the prompt (optional)
The prompt is pre-filled to repair damage and keep the original tone. Add "colorize it" for color, then pick an image model.
Generate and download
AI removes scratches, dust and tears, fixes fading and sharpens faces. Drag the slider to compare, then download.
Before you start
How to digitize an old photo for restoration
The better the copy you upload, the more detail AI can recover.
Take it out of the frame
Remove glass, frames and plastic sleeves. They add glare and reflections that AI may mistake for damage.
Shoot straight on in even light
Hold your phone parallel to the photo, about 90°, near a window or under soft light. Avoid flash and shadows from your hand.
Fill the frame and crop
Get close so the photo fills the screen, then crop away the table and borders before uploading.
Use a scanner if you have one
A flatbed scan at 600 dpi or higher keeps the most detail, especially for small wallet-size prints.
What gets fixed
What AI photo restoration repairs
BeforeAfterScratches, dust & cracks
Removes surface damage, creases and film grain without smearing the image.
BeforeAfterFading & stains
Recovers contrast and evens out yellowed, water-stained or sun-faded areas.
BeforeAfterBlurry faces
Brings back sharp, natural eyes, hair and facial detail while keeping the person recognizable.
BeforeAfterTorn & missing areas
Fills small tears and missing corners so they blend with the rest of the photo.
BeforeAfterBlack & white colorization
Adds realistic skin tones and period-plausible colors.
BeforeAfterSame photo, just clean
Faces, pose, clothing and framing stay the same — nothing is added or removed.
Compare
AI restoration vs a pro retoucher vs Photoshop
| AI restoration (here) | Pro retoucher | Photoshop yourself | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per photo | A few credits | $35+ | Software subscription |
| Turnaround | Under a minute | Several days | Hours per photo |
| Skills needed | None | None | Advanced retouching |
| Your original print | Stays with you | Usually mailed or handed over | Stays with you |
| Try again with changes | Unlimited, instantly | Extra rounds of revision | Redo by hand |
Models
Restore with the latest image models
Pick the model that suits your photo: Nano Banana for faithful repairs, GPT Image for detailed instructions. Export up to 4K, sharp enough to print and frame.
Nano Banana
Google- Nano Banana 2.1NEWNewest Nano Banana for sharper detail
- Nano Banana 2Everyday restoration with faithful faces
- Nano Banana ProBadly damaged photos and fine detail
- Nano Banana 2 LiteQuick, low-cost touch-ups
- Nano BananaSimple cleanups at the lowest cost
GPT Image
OpenAI- GPT Image 2.5 FlareNEWComplex, step-by-step edit instructions
- GPT Image 2.5 SunburstNEWComplex, step-by-step edit instructions
- GPT Image 2Precise edits that follow your prompt
Prompt tips
Control the restoration with your own prompt
The prompt box is pre-filled with a full restoration. Swap in one of these to get exactly the result you want.
Only remove scratches
Remove scratches, dust and creases from this photo. Do not change colors, faces, lighting or composition.
Only colorize
Colorize this black and white photo with natural, historically plausible colors and realistic skin tones. Keep everything else exactly the same.
Keep the vintage sepia look
Restore this photo: repair damage and sharpen faces, but keep the warm sepia tone and the soft vintage look.
Fix a faded color photo
Correct the faded color cast to natural colors, bring back deep blacks and contrast, and keep the people and composition exactly the same.
Next step
Bring the restored photo to life
Once your photo is clean, turn it into a short video where the people blink, smile and move.
Old photo restoration FAQ
What is the best way to restore old photos?
Start with a good digital copy: scan the print, or photograph it straight on in even light with no glare. Then upload it, run an AI restoration, and drag the before/after slider to check faces and details against the original. Keep the original file too, so you can try another model or prompt later.
How do I restore old photos for free?
New accounts get free credits, which cover your first restorations. After that, each restoration costs credits depending on the model you pick, and credits are refunded automatically if it fails.
How much does it cost to have an old photo restored?
A professional retoucher usually charges around $35 or more per photo and can take several days. Here an AI restoration costs a few credits per photo (from 5 credits, depending on the model and resolution) and finishes in under a minute. New accounts get free credits to try it.
Can Walgreens or a local photo shop restore old photos?
Many photo counters and studios offer restoration, but you usually hand over the print, wait days, and pay per photo. Online AI restoration works from a scan or phone photo of the print, so your original never leaves home and you see the result right away. For very valuable prints, you can still use a local studio for the physical copy.
How can I restore old photos without Photoshop?
Upload the photo here and click Restore. The AI does the retouching that would take hours in Photoshop — removing scratches, fixing fading and sharpening faces — in under a minute.
Will the AI change how people look?
It is instructed to keep identity, expression, pose and clothing the same. Very small or badly damaged faces may still come out slightly different, so compare with the slider before you download.
Can a photo in very poor condition still be restored?
Yes. AI can repair heavy scratches, stains, cracks and torn corners. When parts of the photo are missing, the AI fills them in so they blend in, which means those areas are a best guess rather than the original. Compare with the slider, and try Nano Banana Pro for the toughest photos.
Can it colorize black-and-white photos?
Yes. Add "colorize it with natural colors" to the prompt. Without it, the original black-and-white or sepia look is kept.
Can I print the restored photo? What resolution do I get?
Yes. You can export at 1K, 2K or 4K depending on the model. 2K works well for prints up to about 8×10 in, and 4K for larger prints and framing.
What photos work best?
A flat, evenly lit scan or phone photo of the print, without glare or a visible frame. Crop away borders and table edges before uploading.
Who owns the restored photo?
You do. If you own the original photo, you also own the restored version. We don't claim any rights to your images and don't publish them.
Are my photos private?
Your uploads and results are only visible in your own account. We don't publish them.
System ready
Give your family photos a second life
Restore one photo now, then animate it.