How do I remove scratches from an old photo?
Scan the photo at the highest resolution your scanner supports, upload it to EditThisPic, and type 'remove all the scratches from this old photo and restore the surface naturally.' Click Generate and the AI fills every scratch with matching texture and color in 20-30 seconds. No clone stamping by hand.
Can it fix deep scratches that go through a face?
Yes. Deep scratches across faces are harder than surface scratches because the AI has to reconstruct facial features it can't see. Use Pro mode for the best results β the difference vs Fast mode is significant on faces. Mention 'realistic facial features matching the surrounding skin tone' for the cleanest reconstruction.
Will it preserve the vintage look of the photo?
Yes, but only if you tell it to. By default the AI fills scratches with smooth modern texture, which can clash with the original grain. Add 'preserve the original photographic grain and vintage texture' to your prompt, and the result keeps the period look while removing the damage.
Does it work on heavily damaged photos with cracks and tears?
Yes, but it depends on how much of the original is still visible. Hairline cracks and small tears reconstruct very well. Photos that are missing entire sections (large rips, water damage, mold) are harder β the AI has to invent significant detail. For severe damage, run two passes: first to repair the large damage, then to clean up any artifacts.
Is this AI scratch remover for old photos really free?
Yes β every visitor gets one free edit per week with no account needed, so you can repair a scratched old photo at no cost the first time. If you need more, the Lite plan is $4.99/month for 15 credits, Standard is $12.99/month for 50, and Pro is $29.99/month for 150. There are also one-time credit packs from $1.99.
Can I repair scratched photos on my phone?
Yes. EditThisPic runs entirely in your mobile browser β iPhone Safari, Android Chrome, and tablets all work. There's nothing to install. Just open editthispic.com, tap to upload your scanned photo, type your prompt, and the cleaned photo downloads straight back to your phone.
What photo formats does the AI old photo scratch remover support?
EditThisPic accepts JPG, PNG, WebP, and HEIC files up to 7MB. JPG and TIFF are the most common scanner outputs β convert TIFF to JPG before uploading. The result comes back in the same format you uploaded β no quality loss in transit.
How long does it take to remove scratches?
Most edits finish in 20-30 seconds. Heavily damaged photos with many scratches may take a little longer. Pro mode (2 credits, sharper results) can take up to a minute. If it ever takes longer, the credit refunds automatically.
How much does EditThisPic cost?
You get 1 free edit per week β no account needed. After that, credit packs start at $1.99 for 3 edits. Monthly plans start at $4.99/mo for 15 edits with unused credits rolling over. All edits are full resolution with no watermark.