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How to fix a faded, scratched or torn photo on your iPhone

Updated · Reviewed by The Rift team

Short answer

Photograph the print flat and straight in daylight, add it to Rift, and tell Spark what is wrong: faded, scratched, creased or torn. Spark sets up a Draft with up to 4 versions. Pick the cleanest, tap Make, and save it to Library. Keep the original print safe.

A drawer of old prints often means creases, fading and a tear across the corner. Restoring one used to take hours in an editing app. In Rift you describe the damage and check the result.

What you need

Step by step

  1. Photograph the print. Lay it on a plain table by a window. Shoot straight on and crop to the edges.
  2. Add the photo to Rift.
  3. Tell Spark the damage. Name it plainly.
  4. Check the Draft. Up to 4 versions can be made at once. The price is on the Make button.
  5. Tap Make, choose the cleanest and save it to Library.

Lines to try with Spark

Tips

Questions people ask

Can it fill in a missing corner or a tear?

Often, yes. Spark rebuilds what is missing from the surrounding picture. Check faces and writing closely.

What if a face is damaged?

Ask for a gentle repair and compare the versions. If the likeness is off, try a better scan.

How do I photograph a print without glare?

Use daylight near a window, lay it flat and shoot from straight above, not at an angle.

Can I add colour afterwards?

Yes. See the colourise guide linked below.

Does it keep the original?

The original stays in your camera roll. The restored version is a new picture in Library.

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