Photo Restoration Tools›Old Photo Restoration›Restore Old Family Photos – Repair Faded & Damaged Photos Bring cherished family photos back to life — fix fading, scratches, and water damage.
The Challenge
- ✗Printed photos from the 1960s–1990s fade, discolor, and lose contrast over decades of storage
- ✗Physical damage — scratches, stains, creases, and torn corners — cannot be undone on the original print
- ✗Scanning improves access but preserves all the damage at higher resolution
The Solution
Using the Old Photo Restoration entirely automates this workflow.
- 1Scan the original photo at 600 DPI or higher (a smartphone scanner app also works)
- 2Upload the scan to the Old Photo Restoration tool
- 3Download the restored version with damage repaired and detail recovered
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Recommended Settings
Scan at 600 DPI minimum. Use a flatbed scanner for best results. Ensure the photo lies completely flat on the scanner glass.
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Known Limitations
- •Large torn or missing sections are inferred from surrounding content — they will look plausible but may not be historically accurate
- •Heavy mold or water damage that has destroyed the emulsion layer cannot be fully recovered
- •Restoration works best on portraits — complex landscape backgrounds have more variable results
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I restore a photo from a phone photo of the original?
Yes, though a flatbed scan gives better results. If using a phone, photograph the print in flat even light, no flash.
Does it work on black-and-white photos?
Yes. The tool handles both color and black-and-white originals.
Will it colorize my black-and-white photos?
Not by default. The restoration preserves the original color profile. For colorization, use the AI Image Editor.
Can I fix a photo that is torn?
Yes, the AI infers the torn area from surrounding content. Results are best when the torn section is a background area rather than a face.
How do I get the best restoration results?
Scan at 600 DPI, then upscale 2x before restoring. Higher input resolution gives the AI more detail to recover.