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    Restore Old Photos

    Bring faded family pictures back to life. Free apps. Real results.

    What modern apps can do

    • Sharpen blurry photos.
    • Fix scratches, water spots, and torn corners.
    • Add realistic color to black-and-white photos.
    • Brighten faded photos.
    • Remove people you don't want in the photo (or fix one closed eye).

    All from a snapshot you take of the original photo with your phone.

    Step 1 — Get a clean photo of the photo

    1. Lay the old photo flat on a table near a window — daylight is best, no flash.
    2. Hold your phone directly over the photo (not at an angle).
    3. Take the picture. Or — even better — use the free "PhotoScan by Google Photos" app. It does the lining-up automatically and removes glare.
    4. Make sure the photo on your phone is in focus and you can see all the corners.

    Step 2 — Pick a free restoration app

    Google Photos (free, built in)

    Open the photo → tap "Edit" → tap "Tools" → "Photo Unblur" or "Colorize". Works well, no extra app.

    Remini (free with limits)

    Famous for sharpening blurry old photos. Free with a daily limit and a "watch ad" option for more.

    MyHeritage In Color

    Adds color to black-and-white photos. Free for a few photos; paid plan for unlimited.

    Apple Photos (built in to iPhone/Mac)

    Edit → tap the wand. Modern iPhones automatically improve faded photos.

    Photomyne

    Scans multiple old photos at once (great for an album). Then you can colorize and enhance.

    Step 3 — Save and share

    • Save BOTH the original and the restored version. AI restoration is impressive but not always 100% accurate to the real moment.
    • Back up to Google Photos or iCloud — that way grandkids will see them too.
    • Print the restored version. Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart all have $0.30 photo prints. Many offer free same-day pickup if you order from their app.

    For BIG batches — let the pros do it

    Got a shoebox of 500 old photos? Send them out:

    • Legacybox — mail in photos, slides, VHS tapes; they digitize everything.
    • ScanCafe — competing service, often cheaper.
    • Local options — Costco, FedEx Office, and many camera stores offer scanning.

    Look for sales — Black Friday and Mother's Day usually have 40-60% off promotions.

    Privacy note

    When you upload a photo to an AI app, the app's company can see it. Don't upload photos with sensitive content (driver's license info, medical records) to free apps. For family photos, it's generally fine — but read the app's privacy policy if you're unsure.