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remove scratches from old photo

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Erase hairline scratches, deep gouges, and surface damage from scanned vintage prints.

Scanned family portrait with hairline scratches Same portrait with scratches removed

Upload photo to remove scratches

"Remove the hairline scratches across the face in this photo and restore smooth skin texture"

Release to upload

1 free edit·then from $4.99

How it works

  1. Scan the old photo and upload it

    Scan your damaged photo at the highest resolution your scanner supports — more pixels give the AI more to work with. Upload as JPG, PNG, WebP, or HEIC up to 7MB.

    Expect: The full-resolution scan loads instantly with all scratches and surface damage visible.
  2. Describe the scratches to remove

    Type 'remove all the scratches from this old photo and restore the surface naturally.' For specific damage like a deep gouge, describe its location and severity.

    Copy one of these to get started:

    All scratches at once Remove all the scratches from this old photo and restore the original surface naturally
    Hairline scratches across face Remove the hairline scratches across the face in this photo and restore smooth skin texture
    Deep gouge across the photo Remove the deep diagonal gouge from this photo and reconstruct the area underneath naturally
    Scuffed corner Repair the scuffed corner of this old photo and restore the original color and texture
    2 more prompts
    White scratch lines Remove the white scratch lines across this photo and restore the underlying scene
    Cracks and tears Repair the cracks and tears in this old photo and seamlessly restore the original image
  3. Generate the restored photo

    Click Generate. The AI fills each scratch with matching texture and color, working across faces, backgrounds, and any complex detail. Pro mode produces noticeably sharper results on detailed photos.

  4. Download the restored photo

    Save the cleaned photo at full resolution with no watermark added. Perfect for printing, framing, or adding to a memorial slideshow.

See it in action

Scanned family portrait with hairline scratches
Before
->
Same portrait with scratches removed
After

Hairline Scratches Across Family Portrait

A scanned 1960s family portrait with dozens of hairline scratches across the surface — all removed and the original tones restored.

Prompt: Remove all the scratches from this old photo and restore the original surface naturally
Old photo with deep diagonal scratch
Before
->
Same photo with scratch repaired
After

Deep Diagonal Scratch Repaired

A scanned childhood photo with one deep gouge running across the face — repaired and the facial features reconstructed.

Prompt: Remove the deep diagonal gouge from this photo and reconstruct the area underneath naturally

Quick answers

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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — convert TIFF to JPG before uploading. The result comes back in the same format you uploaded — 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 — 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.

Ready to restore that old photo?

Free to try. No signup required.

1 free edit included·Credit packs from $4.99