How it works
Which mode should you use: Upscale, Denoise, Sharpen, or Faces?
Match the mode to the problem you can actually see. A bigger or smoother image is not always a more faithful one, so compare before you save.
| What you see | Start with | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| The photo is small or looks pixelated when enlarged | Upscale | Output caps near 17 MP; crop first on large photos |
| Grain or color speckle from low light | Denoise | Fine texture such as hair and leaves can smooth out |
| Almost in focus, just a little soft | Sharpen | Cannot undo motion blur or a missed focus |
| A soft face in a portrait | Faces | Needs a visible face; may change fine features |
1. Enlarge a small photo
Start with the original file, not a screenshot of it. Choose Upscale; the app shows the output size before you run it. Afterwards, drag the slider and zoom in on edges, eyes, and texture.
If the source is larger than about 1 megapixel, the app scales it down before the 4× pass so the result stays under about 17 megapixels, and it tells you the size is limited. Crop to the part you care about to get the full enlargement. On iOS 1.1.10, very large photos may be processed at a smaller size on devices with less memory; check the actual output dimensions.
2. Reduce noise in a low-light picture
Use Denoise when grain is the main problem. Check detailed areas like hair, fabric, and leaves next to smooth ones like sky and skin. Keep the version that balances less noise with believable detail.
3. Sharpen a slightly soft shot
Sharpen adds a gentle edge boost and normally keeps the photo’s size and colors. On iOS 1.1.10, very large photos may be processed at a smaller size on devices with less memory. It is for “almost sharp,” not for shaky or out-of-focus pictures. If the photo is also small, try Upscale first; the model often does more for softness than sharpening does.
4. Restore a soft face
Faces looks for faces in the photo and runs an AI restoration model on each one. It works best on clear, close-up faces. If none are found, the app tells you and leaves the photo unchanged. Compare the eyes, mouth, and glasses closely: the model redraws detail and can change someone’s look slightly.
Chaining modes
When a result is ready you can run another mode on it. A common order is Denoise, then Upscale, because enlarging grain makes it more obvious. Save only the version you would actually use.
Enhancement is an interpretation. Do not use it as evidence, and do not assume it recovered text or facial features accurately. Keep the original.
Access and device requirements
$9.99 one-time purchase in the U.S. App Store (checked September 25, 2026). No subscription, no in-app purchases, and no ads; every mode is included. Family Sharing is supported. Apple sets prices in other storefronts, so the local price may differ.
iPhone and iPad with iOS or iPadOS 18.2 or later; Mac with Apple silicon on macOS 15.2 or later.
Local Photo Upscaler
Keep the photo. Lose the upload.
Enhance photos on your own iPhone, iPad, or Mac. $9.99 once on the U.S. App Store. No subscription, no in-app purchases, no ads.