How to restore old photos with your phone

You don't need a scanner or Photoshop. Here is the whole process, from the shoebox to a restored photo you can share, in five steps.

Start with one old photo

JPEG, PNG, WebP or HEIC

A large family group, 1880s, beforeA large family group, 1880s, restored
BeforeRestored
Family group, 1880s

1. Pick the photo and clean it gently

Start with the photo that matters most. Brush off dust with a soft, dry brush. Don't use water or tape, and don't try to flatten a curled print by force.

2. Photograph it in good light

Use daylight from a window, not the flash. Lay the photo flat, hold the phone straight above it, and tilt slightly if you see a reflection. Fill the frame and take two or three shots; keep the sharpest.

3. Restore it

Upload the picture to Genizes, rotate it if needed, and choose whether to add color. About 30 seconds later you see a free preview next to the original.

4. Check the faces

Zoom in on each face and compare with the original. If one doesn't look like the person, use the free second try. Remember that badly damaged areas are rebuilt by AI.

5. Keep and share it

Download the full-size photo, print it, or turn it into a short clip. Keep the original print too: it is the real record.

How it works

  1. Take a picture of the print

    Use your phone's camera or upload a scan. Lay the photo flat, avoid glare, and fill the frame.

  2. We repair it

    AI removes damage, sharpens faces and adds color. You see a free preview in about half a minute.

  3. Keep it or bring it to life

    Download the full-size photo, or turn it into a short clip with gentle, natural movement.

Questions

What resolution do I need?

Any recent phone is enough. Genizes works up to 2048 pixels on the long side, which prints well up to about 7 × 5 inches (18 × 13 cm).

Is a scan better than a phone picture?

A flatbed scan at 600 dpi avoids glare and is slightly sharper, but a careful phone picture gives very good results.

How many photos can I restore?

Previews are limited each day to keep the service fair; packs from $3.99 to $79.99 cover from 1 to 100 photos.

Pay once. Keep forever.