Restoring Photos of Your Grandparents: A Gentle Guide

Photos of grandparents when they were young are a strange kind of magic: the people we only knew as old suddenly appear as teenagers, newlyweds, soldiers or young parents. Restoring these photos brings them closer, and if your grandparents are still with you, it's a beautiful thing to do together.

Find the photos

• Their own albums and boxes, often in a cupboard or under a bed.
• Siblings' and cousins' collections.
• Wallets and handbags (a single treasured photo).
• Frames on walls, which are often the most faded (see restoring sun-damaged photos).

Capture and restore

1. Photograph prints in soft daylight, phone parallel (see scanning photos with iPhone).
2. In Refixo, tap Restore. Scratches, creases and fading disappear and faces become clear.
3. For black and white photos, try the colorized version.
4. Check faces: your grandparents (or their children) know exactly how they looked.

Do it with them

If your grandparents are alive, restoring photos together is a gift in itself:

• Restore a photo on an iPad while they watch the slider move (see restoring old photos on iPad).
• Ask about the day, the clothes, the people (see interviewing grandparents about old photos).
• Ask about colors for the black and white photos: "Was your dress really blue?"
• Record their voice telling the stories.

Photos worth looking for

• Their wedding photo (see anniversary gift: restoring an old wedding photo).
• Childhood photos with their own parents, your great-grandparents.
• Work and service: uniforms, workplaces, tools (see colorizing military photos).
• Their first home, car or trip.
• Photos with your parent as a baby.

Give them back

Print the restored photos for your grandparents. Many older people don't use phones, so a small printed album or a framed photo is the best way for them to enjoy the results (see printing restored photos).

If your grandparents have passed away

Restored photos are a way to introduce them to the next generation. Make a small book or a frame with their photos and a few stories, so your children know who they were (see family photo book ideas).

Frequently asked questions

How can I restore my grandparents' old photos?

Photograph or scan the prints, then restore them with an AI app like Refixo, which repairs damage, fading and blur in seconds.

Should I colorize my grandparents' black and white photos?

Many families love it. Ask your grandparents about real colors if you can, and keep the original too.

What's a good way to share restored photos with grandparents?

Print them. A small album or frame is easier for many older people than a phone.

What if the photos are very damaged?

Most damage can be repaired. For large missing areas, see fixing torn photos.