Restore and Enhance Old Photos (Upscale, Denoise, Scratch Removal)

Published
Old black-and-white photo of a young girl restored to full color — repair and colorize vintage photos with Sinaï Studio AI photo restoration.

Introduction: bring scanned memories back to life on mobile

Film prints fade, colors shift, and scratches creep in—but you can revive them without opening desktop software. Sinaï Studio gives you a full AI photo restoration toolkit on iPhone and Android: upscale low-resolution scans, denoise grainy portraits, and remove physical damage with a mix of intelligent prompts and precise touch tools.

Key takeaways

  • Mobile photo restoration app: restore old photos on the go with AI-powered upscaling, denoising, and scratch removal.
  • Two restoration paths: combine the Image-to-Image Edit button for smart prompt-based fixes with the 🔠 Image Upscaling (HD) and 🩹 Object Removal tools for hands-on control.
  • Generous free usage: Sinaï Studio includes 25 free generations or edits each day, so you can repair entire albums before upgrading.

Why restore old photos with Sinaï Studio

Sinaï Studio was built for designers, families, and archivists who want professional results from a phone-first workflow. The app blends guided AI edits with manual touch tools, so you can fix decades-old images without losing natural texture.

  • Upscale soft scans: the 🔠 Image Upscaling (HD) button adds pixels and sharpens edges instantly.
  • Erase damage intuitively: use 🩹 Object Removal for dust and scratches or 🖌️ Inpainting when you need to redraw missing parts.
  • Prompt-driven restoration: the Image-to-Image Edit button lets you describe the fix ("reduce grain, restore skin tone") for automatic corrections.
  • Localized, mobile UI: everything is thumb-friendly, localized in 17 languages, and available on both major app stores.

Before you start: prepare the best scan

  • Clean the print gently with a microfiber cloth so surface dust is not captured in the scan.
  • Scan at 300–600 DPI or photograph the print in bright, even light—avoid harsh shadows or glare.
  • Crop and rotate the file before importing so Sinaï Studio focuses on the image, not blank borders.
  • Save as PNG or high-quality JPEG to preserve detail during editing.

Step-by-step: restore and enhance an old photo in Sinaï Studio

1. Import your old scan

Open Sinaï Studio and tap the camera icon to select the scanned photo, or share the file directly from your gallery into the app. The image loads into your project with the full editing toolbar underneath.

2. Upscale to recover resolution

Tap the 🔠 Image Upscaling (HD) button to boost resolution immediately. The app creates a sharper version that retains face details and fine textures—perfect for small prints or low-resolution scans. You can run a second upscale pass if the original was underexposed or extremely soft.

3. Remove dust, scratches, and tears

Use the 🩹 Object Removal (Eraser): paint over scratches, dust spots, or fold marks with your finger. Zoom in for precise coverage, then apply to let AI rebuild the underlying surface automatically.

Need extra control? Switch to the 🖌️ Inpainting tool. Mask the damaged area, tap the ✅ icon, and enter a short prompt such as "rebuild the background wall texture" or "restore film grain." Sinaï Studio applies the edit only inside the masked region for accurate repairs.

4. Denoise and rebalance colors with Image-to-Image Edit

Tap Edit (the Image-to-Image Edit button) and type a prompt like "reduce film grain, even out lighting, restore natural skin tones." You can also mention the decade or medium for stylistic accuracy. Adjust the style intensity slider to keep the photo realistic, then generate until the restored version feels right.

5. Sharpen faces and textures

For portraits, choose 🔍 Detailer and drag a focus box over faces, hands, or important objects. Detailer refines edges without over-smoothing. If a background still feels noisy, run a light Image-to-Image pass targeting the area with a prompt such as "soften background grain, keep subject sharp."

6. Save and export in HD

Tap the 💾 Save button to store the restored photo in your Sinaï Studio gallery, then export to your camera roll or share directly to family albums. Consider exporting both the original and restored versions so you can highlight the transformation.

Prompt ideas for restoring old photos

  • "Restore this 1970s family photo, remove scratches and dust, reduce grain, recover natural colors."
  • "Repair fading on vintage wedding photo, balance contrast, keep film look."
  • "Sharpen facial features, remove creases, brighten midtones while keeping warm tones."
  • "Rebuild missing corner of photograph, continue background wallpaper pattern seamlessly."

Troubleshooting common restoration issues

  • Streaks or scratches remain: run Object Removal in shorter strokes, then switch to Inpainting with a prompt describing the texture you need reconstructed.
  • Faces look too smooth: undo, lower the Image-to-Image style intensity, and finish with the Detailer tool for controlled sharpening.
  • Colors shift too warm or cool: regenerate with a prompt such as "neutral color balance, true-to-life skin tones" or adjust the temperature slider before exporting.
  • Very low-resolution scans: upscale first, then revisit the Image-to-Image prompt focusing on "restore clarity while keeping vintage look." A second upscale pass can help preserve small text or insignias.

FAQ

Can Sinaï Studio restore severely damaged photos?

Yes. Combine Inpainting for missing sections with prompt-based Image-to-Image edits to rebuild backgrounds, then finish with Detailer to bring faces back into focus.

Does Sinaï Studio work on both iOS and Android?

The app is available on the App Store and Google Play, with the same toolset across both devices.

How do I remove scratches without losing detail?

Use Object Removal for linear scratches, zoom in, and erase in short passes. For intricate textures, mask the area with Inpainting and describe the fill you expect so the AI respects original patterns.

Is there a free plan for photo restoration?

Every account includes 25 free generations or edits daily, letting you restore multiple photos before committing to a paid plan.

Conclusion

Restoring old family photos no longer requires complicated desktop workflows. Sinaï Studio's mobile-first toolkit lets you upscale, denoise, and heal damage in minutes—ready to re-share treasured memories with modern clarity. Download the app, follow the workflow above, and bring your archive back to life.

Share: Twitter/X Facebook LinkedIn
#photo-restoration #ai-upscale #mobile-editing