For the photographs that have weathered a little life
Fix Old Photos: Scratches, Tears & Stains
Scratches, creases, and faded corners need not hide the whole story. Explore repair that starts with the details still in your photograph.
A look at what is possibleA fresh start for an old photo.
Free preview. No sign-up planned.
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The family archive
Every photograph
has a story.
IllustrationThe familiar faces
Face clarity & fine detail
IllustrationThe places we remember
Fading, scratches & creases
IllustrationThe small, lovely details
Optional black & white to color
Original illustrations, not restoration results. Real before-and-after examples will be added after the tool is tested.
How it will work
From tucked away
to treasured again.
- 01
Start with a digital copy
Scan your print or take a clear photo. Keep your original safely tucked away.
- 02
Take a closer look
Compare an AI-restored preview with the original. Add color only if you want to.
- 03
Keep your favorite
Choose a paid high-resolution download, or leave after your free preview.
A thoughtful approach
A little clarity.
A lot of history.
Separate damage from missing information
A thin scratch across a background is different from a tear through an eye. When nearby texture survives, an editing model may be able to fill a damaged line convincingly. When a large section is absent, it has less evidence and may invent something plausible. Begin by identifying where the damage falls and what information remains. That gives you a more useful expectation than treating all old photographs as the same repair problem. Keep every surviving piece if a print has torn.
Make a digital copy without further damage
Do not wet, scrub, iron, or tape an original print to prepare it for AI. A digital workflow edits a copy and cannot repair the physical object. If the print can lie safely on a scanner, capture the whole photograph with a little border. If it is fragile, stuck to glass, or moldy, ask a conservation specialist about safe handling first. A phone photograph in even light may be more sensible than pressing a brittle image flat.
Inspect the repaired edges
A convincing repair should fit the surrounding image. In a preview, check lines that cross a crease: a doorway, a collar, or the edge of a face can reveal mismatches. Look for repeated patterns and overly smooth patches around stains. Text, medals, and jewelry need particular care because a tiny invented shape can change their meaning. If the photograph has documentary value, save both the original and the restored version, and describe the latter as an AI-restored interpretation.
Know when a specialist is a better fit
AI is an option for a quick digital attempt, but it is not a conservation service or a promise to reconstruct missing history. A deeply torn face, a large missing section, or an irreplaceable original may call for individual advice from a professional. This website will offer automated restoration only, with a preview to help you assess the output. It does not provide manual retouching or accept physical photographs by mail. The original print always stays with you.
More from the archive
Find the right starting point.
A few things to know
Your questions,
answered.
Can AI remove every scratch?
No. A small scratch over a plain area may be easier than one across a face or handwritten note. Review repaired areas in the preview rather than assuming that all visible damage will disappear.
Can a torn photograph be put back together?
A digital copy showing the surviving pieces may allow an attempted repair, but absent information cannot be verified. Avoid applying tape to an original print; ask a conservator about physical repair if the object matters.
What about water stains?
A stain may have changed color, removed detail, or both. AI can sometimes reduce the visible distraction, but it cannot recover information that no longer survives. Do not apply liquid cleaners to prepare the photograph.
Will handwriting be restored accurately?
Do not rely on AI to reconstruct names, dates, or other text. Compare every character with the original and keep a separate transcription of anything you can read. Generated writing may look convincing while being wrong.
Should I repair damage or add color first?
Start by assessing the scan and visible damage. Color is an optional interpretation, not a substitute for a readable original. Keep an uncolored restored copy if you also choose to explore a color version.