Old photos hold a special kind of magic — they capture stories that time has nearly erased. But as prints fade, crease, and lose color, digital restoration steps in to give them a second life. Whether you’re rescuing a vintage family portrait or reviving a century-old photo for an archive, modern photo restoration software can make the process accessible to everyone.

In this review, we’ve rounded up five of the best photo restoration software tools available today. Our selection is based on several key criteria:

• Ease of use — how beginner-friendly and intuitive the interface is.
• Performance — how effectively the software restores damaged or faded photos.
• Features — from automatic colorization to manual retouching tools.
• Pricing — whether it’s free, one-time purchase or subscription-based.
• Accessibility – whether it is designed for a specific system or available across systems and devices (Windows, macOS, online).

We’ll also look at what makes each program stand out, who it’s best suited for, and what drawbacks to consider.

1. PhotoGlory — Best All-in-One Tool for Effortless Photo Restoration

If you want professional-looking results without the steep learning curve, PhotoGlory is an outstanding choice. Designed specifically for restoring old photographs, it combines advanced AI technology with intuitive manual tools.

What makes PhotoGlory stand out is its balance between automation and control. You can restore torn, faded, or stained photos in just a few clicks, while still being able to fine-tune small details manually. Its colorization tool is remarkably accurate — it doesn’t just splash random hues, but detects skin tones, fabrics, and even background elements with impressive realism.

PhotoGlory also offers tools for removing scratches, repairing cracks, reconstructing missing parts, and enhancing contrast and brightness. For anyone digitizing family archives or building a genealogical photo collection, this old photo restoration software feels tailor-made.

Best for: Beginners to intermediate users who want professional-quality results with minimal effort.

Pros:

• Simple, beginner-friendly interface
• Powerful AI tools for restoration and colorization
• Manual editing options for precision work
• Fast processing, no steep learning curve
• One-time purchase (no subscription required)

Cons:

• Available only on Windows
• Limited creative editing tools beyond restoration

Verdict: A perfect mix of smart automation and hands-on control — PhotoGlory is one of the most complete and accessible photo restoration software available today.

2. Luminar Neo — Great for Creative Restoration and Artistic Touches

Luminar Neo is primarily known as an advanced photo editor for photographers, but its AI-powered enhancement tools also make it useful for restoring old photos. The program’s Erase and Structure AI features can remove dust and spots while improving clarity. It also has a Color Harmony tool to breathe life into faded photos, and an optional Relight AI for balancing exposure.

That said, Luminar Neo is not a specialized photo restoration software — it’s a general photo editing tool with restoration-like capabilities. To achieve a proper restoration, you’ll need to combine several tools and spend time learning how each works.

Best for: Experienced users or photographers who want to mix restoration with artistic enhancement.

Pros:

• Powerful AI enhancement tools
• Excellent for creative adjustments and stylized restoration
• Works on both Windows and macOS

Cons:

• Not specifically built for restoration
• Requires time to master
• Subscription or high one-time cost

Verdict: If you already use Luminar Neo for photography, it’s a capable option for moderate restoration — but it’s less intuitive for beginners looking to repair severe damage.

3. Adobe Photoshop — The Industry Standard, but Not for Everyone

No list of photo editing software would be complete without Adobe Photoshop. Its reputation as a professional powerhouse is well-earned — it can restore virtually any damaged image with the right skill. From cloning and healing brushes to layer-based correction and color balancing, Photoshop provides complete creative control.

However, Photoshop is not designed specifically as old photo restoration software. Every adjustment must be made manually, so it’s best suited for professionals who know the tools inside and out. The program’s subscription model also makes it one of the most expensive options.

Best for: Advanced users, designers, and restoration professionals who need full control.

Pros:

• Industry-leading precision and flexibility
• Endless editing possibilities
• Vast online tutorials and plugin support

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Subscription-based (no lifetime license)
• Requires significant time investment

Verdict: Photoshop can deliver incredible restoration results — but only in expert hands. For everyday users, its complexity and cost can be overwhelming.

4. MyHeritage — Quick Online Restoration for Family Archives

MyHeritage Photo Enhancer and In Color™ tools are among the best photo restoration software for genealogy enthusiasts. This web-based service focuses on automated restoration and colorization, requiring virtually no editing skills. Upload an image, and the algorithm enhances sharpness, removes minor damage, and colorizes it in seconds.

It’s an excellent choice if you want fast, shareable results — especially for uploading old portraits to your online family tree. However, it’s limited in control and flexibility. You can’t manually adjust specific areas or repair major cracks and tears.

Best for: Casual users who want quick online restoration for genealogy projects.

Pros:

• No installation required
• Extremely easy to use
• Fast automatic enhancement and colorization

Cons:

• Requires an internet connection
• Limited manual editing options
• Some features require a paid subscription

Verdict: MyHeritage offers impressive one-click results for portraits, but it lacks depth for users who need full restoration control or offline editing.

5. Fotor Photo Restoration — Convenient, All-in-One Web Tool

Fotor is a versatile online photo editor with a dedicated photo restoration tool. It combines AI-driven enhancement with basic manual adjustments for contrast, exposure, and sharpness. It’s quick, clean, and beginner-friendly — ideal for people who want to fix minor imperfections or faded colors.

However, like MyHeritage, Fotor’s restoration capabilities are mostly automatic. It works best for lightly damaged photos rather than heavily torn or aged ones. Still, its accessibility and free tier make it a convenient photo restoration software for casual users.

Best for: Beginners who want a free, browser-based restoration tool for simple fixes.

Pros:

• Works directly in your browser
• Fast AI-based enhancement
• Includes basic photo editing tools

Cons:

• Limited manual repair functions
• Internet connection required
• Some features behind the paywall

Verdict: A handy option for light retouching and quick restorations, but not powerful enough for seriously damaged photos.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Choose?

Each of these tools has its strengths — from professional-grade editing to one-click simplicity. If you’re serious about bringing old memories back to life without spending hours learning complicated software, PhotoGlory strikes the best balance between ease of use, precision, and power.

Luminar Neo is great for artistic restorations, while Photoshop remains unbeatable for professionals. MyHeritage and Fotor are both excellent for quick online restoration but lack depth for detailed work.

Ultimately, the best photo restoration software choice depends on your goals — whether you’re preserving a single cherished portrait or rebuilding an entire family archive. But no matter which you choose, one thing is certain: restoring old photos is not just about fixing pixels — it’s about reviving memories.

Getting a new phone is an exciting process that multiple people anticipate. In most cases, you receive an upgraded model with a sleeker design, better memory, and new opportunities you’ve been hoping to explore. However, one issue inevitably occurs, complicating the process and potentially endangering your safety — and that’s the risk of data loss. 

How to transfer all your information safely, without losing invaluable photos, videos, messages, and passwords? And if data loss happens, is there a way of successful identity restoration? Get tips from experts, and your data will be safe regardless of whether you switch from Android to iPhone or merely exchange one model for another.

Assess What Kind of Data You’re Dealing With

Understanding what type of data you have, what you might lose in the process of transfer, and which consequences you will face as a result is the first step to protecting yourself. 

Here’s the data most people need to pass from their old phone to a new one:

• Photos and documents that might feature your ID and other sensitive info. 
• Passwords and logins that give you access to different apps and platforms.  
• Contacts and messages that often have personal facts you don’t want leaked. 
• Cloud-stored data that you want to save wholly before switching to a new phone. 

Imagine what might happen if some part of this data gets lost, or worse, is leaked. People with malicious intent might get access to it, stealing your entire identity. While there are swift identity restoration services available to victims of data theft, going through the nightmare of proving that you are who you claim to be is still incredibly stressful. 

Understanding the risks and knowing what data you need to transfer is the first step to preventing potential data loss. There are other tips you’ll have to consider, too, so be sure to study them all closely.

Performing a Full Backup Before Switching

Once you know what data you need to save, you have to perform a complete backup. For Android, you can use Google One Help: just open your settings and go from Google to the Backup section. Follow instructions, and all the information will be saved automatically, including your call history, contacts, and app data. 

For iPhones, go to your iCloud. Choose iCloud Backup, and then click on Back Up Now. Most importantly, both Android and iOS users should do a manual local copy by transferring the files they can to their laptop or a well-encrypted USB stick. Having two versions of backup files is enough to ensure that your data stays safe at all times. 

If something is lost anyway, and you worry that this info might have fallen into the wrong hands, don’t panic. A professional identity theft recovery service will always be able to help, so there is a good chance that you’ll be able to restore everything you’ve lost in no time.

Using Official Data Transfer Tools

Never trust unfamiliar tools to do your data transfer because it might lead to the loss or theft of critical information. Consider using these options:

• Google Restore. This official Google tool is perfect for Android users who want to restore all their data safely.  
• Samsung Smart Switch. This tool copies your media and app data, and you can transfer it to another device or platform via Wi-Fi.  
• iPhone Quick Start. iOS users can rely on Quick Start to transfer their data wirelessly, preserving everything from their old device.  

If you’re switching from Android to iPhone, or vice versa, it’s better to use official apps from Google or Apple. The common options include Move to iOS and Android Switch apps.  

Securing Old and New Devices During Transfer  

To protect the confidentiality and wholesomeness of your data, make sure your transfer process is secure. Use only an encrypted Wi-Fi that no random parties can access. Some people are careless enough to switch to a new phone in public places, relying on a public Wi-Fi — that’s a sure way to get their data stolen. 

Another good strategy involves keeping both devices protected. Make certain they are updated properly — use the latest security patches only. Consider encrypting your data via your phone’s settings, and never leave your SIM behind. You never know who might be lurking around, waiting for an opportunity to steal your identity.  

If you think any part of your data might be compromised, get in touch with one of the identity restoration services as soon as possible. Early reaction increases the chances of success. 

Take Care of Your Data Transfer in Advance

Switching to a new phone is not a problem, not even when you have to transfer tons of your sensitive data. However, you need to be careful during the transfer process — otherwise, data loss and theft are inevitable. 

Naturally, problems like these have solutions today, but identity theft recovery can take time. While professional services can help you quickly, even an hour of waiting might seem like a nightmare, especially when you’re stressed and in need of some specific data right away. That is why it’s better to prevent data loss altogether instead of starting a transfer randomly and hoping for the best.  

A repaired phone can feel new, but small changes can stop sync in its tracks. A fresh screen or battery is simple to see, yet a new mainboard, a reinstalled OS, or a reset of permissions can quietly block contacts, calendars, tasks, and notes from moving between desktop and mobile.

If your device was serviced at an Australian repair provider such as ptc.net.au, do a quick post-repair check before you try to sync. 

Here are five calm steps will save you time, protect your accounts, and get Outlook data flowing to Android or iPhone without surprises.

Check What Was Fixed And Reset

Ask the technician, or review your service receipt, for two details. 

• First, confirm the exact parts replaced. A screen swap rarely affects data. A battery swap usually preserves settings. A logic board replacement can change your device ID and clear trust settings, which affects USB sync and Wi Fi pairing.
  
• Second, confirm if the device was factory reset or updated to a new OS version during testing.

Turn the phone on at the store if possible. Sign in to your Apple ID or Google account on site. This validates two factor codes while you still have Wi Fi and support nearby. Verify the date and time are correct, since wrong time can break certificate checks and push sync.

Open Settings, then review privacy and app permissions. Calendar, Contacts, Files, Bluetooth, and Local Network access are the big ones that affect sync. If any are off, turn them on and reopen your sync app so it can request access again.

If you maintain offline backups, store a new snapshot after repair. Keeping one good system image or encrypted archive gives you a clean return point if you spot issues later.

Set Accounts And Permissions

On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud. Confirm Contacts, Calendars, and Notes toggles match how you synced before the repair. If you previously used a desktop conduit instead of iCloud, leave these off to avoid duplicates. In Privacy and Security, check that Contacts and Calendars permissions are allowed for your sync tool.

On Android, open Settings, Accounts. Confirm your Google account is signed in. If you sync Outlook data without Google, add only the accounts you need for apps and store, not for contacts or calendars. 

In Apps, locate your sync app, then allow Contacts, Calendar, Nearby Devices, and Files access. Also verify Battery settings allow background activity, since aggressive battery control can pause sync.

Reauthorize trusted computers. When you connect the phone to a PC by USB, choose Trust on iPhone or allow file access on Android. If Developer Options and USB debugging were part of your workflow, turn them back on after repair, because service resets can disable them.

Run A Safe First Sync

If you use desktop to mobile sync to carry Outlook Contacts, Calendar, Tasks, and Notes to your phone, match your pre-repair method. USB is direct and fast, Wi Fi works well on one network, and a secure cloud option keeps data consistent across locations.

Start with a one way pass to the phone. This lowers the risk of duplicates after a repair. Before the run, archive your desktop PST or export a full OST backup. In Outlook, tidy categories and time zones so events land correctly on mobile. 

Then, in your sync tool, pick PC to Phone for the first pass and include only one data type at a time. Contacts first, then Calendar, then Tasks, then Notes. Review results between each pass.

Pay attention to default accounts on the phone. On iPhone, set the default account for Contacts in Settings, Contacts. Set the default Calendar in Settings, Calendar. 

On Android, open the Contacts app and set the default storage location if the app supports it. Use the same defaults you used before repair so new entries stay in the correct source.

After the first clean pass, switch to two way sync if that is your normal flow. Make one or two edits on each side, for example add a test contact on the phone and a test event in Outlook, then run a sync. Confirm both appear on both sides and that deletions behave as expected.

Solve Common Sync Problems

If contacts do not appear, check app permissions again. On iPhone, verify your sync app shows in Settings, Contacts, Accounts. On Android, check that the Contacts app is allowed to show all accounts.

Also turn off any hidden filters in the Contacts app, since repairs sometimes reset view filters to phone only.

If calendar events shift by one hour, confirm time zone on the phone and on the PC. In Outlook, set Meeting requests and responses to use the same time zone as your device. Check automatic daylight saving settings. Then resync only Calendar to correct the offsets.

If you see duplicates, stop and decide which copy is the source of truth. Use your sync tool’s de dupe feature if available, or export a fresh backup, then clear the target store on the phone and run a one way push from the source. 

Avoid editing records while you fix duplicates, because live edits can create more copies during reconciliation.

If USB sync fails to start, re install the device driver on Windows, use a known good cable, and try a different USB port. On iPhone, open Finder or iTunes once to trigger trust. On Android, toggle File Transfer mode. For Wi Fi sync, keep the phone and PC on the same network, disable VPN during testing, and confirm your firewall allows the sync service port.

Keep Data Safe After Repair

Post repair, review security. Change your device passcode and confirm two factor settings for Apple ID, Google, and Microsoft accounts. If the repair involved a board swap or OS reinstall, assume all trust tokens were reset and revalidate them.

Schedule regular backups. A weekly full backup and a daily incremental copy is a good pattern for most small offices and households. Keep at least one offline or off site copy. 

Keep a short service log. Record date of repair, parts replaced, OS version, and what you changed in settings. The next time you service a device, this record will help you return to a known good sync setup faster.

Finally, test your full workflow once a week for the next month. Add, edit, and delete a few entries on both PC and phone, then run a sync. If anything drifts, you will catch it early while the change set is still small.

Back To A Clean Sync

A repaired phone should not upend your schedule or contact list. Confirm what changed, restore the right permissions, run one clean one way sync, validate accounts, then return to your normal two way routine. 

With steady backups and a short checklist, you can leave the counter with confidence and have Outlook data moving smoothly again the same day.