How to Depixelate Images in 2026: 3 Methods (Step-by-Step Guide)

In a world where visuals speak volumes, pixelated images can fall short. Whether it’s a treasured old photo losing its details or a project graphic needing crispness, low resolution limits how we communicate and preserve moments.

This guide cuts through the frustration. Whether you're a photographer, graphic designer, or simply someone who wants to improve their image quality, we’ll clearly explain how to depixelate images effectively in 2026. Discover 3 practical methods with step-by-step guidance to enhance clarity and bring your important pictures back to life.

Method 1. How to Instantly Depixelate an Image for Windows/Mac

1. The Easiest Image Depixelizer to AI Fix Pixelated Pictures

Whether you need to enhance your images for personal use or for your business, HitPaw has got you covered. With its range of filters and editing tools, you can make your pictures look stunning in just a few clicks. And the best part is that HitPaw FotorPea's one-click enhancement makes it easy to get the perfect look without spending hours.

Features

No image quality loss was detected while depixelating
It also supports batch sharpening
AI one-click photo enhancement for faster editing
Offers the 9 AI models to upscale images
Simple user interface, making it simple for newcomers
Allows you to generate photos in realistic image quality
Helps you to remove the unwanted objects from images

Video Tutorial to Unpixelate an Image

Here are the steps to depixelate image with a click

Download and install the HitPaw FotorPea tool on your device.
Upload the original pixelated photo that you want to depixelate by clicking on the "Enhance Photos Now" button.

Choose the mode that matches your image type, then adjust and export if the result meets your expectations.

2. How to Depixelate An Image in Photoshop

Here is how to depixelate an image in Photoshop.

Step 1: Add Some Pixels

Pixelation often stems from low-resolution web images. To fix this, open your image in Photoshop, go to "Image Size", ensure "Resample" is checked, increase the resolution to 300 PPI, and click OK. You'll see a significant quality improvement as Photoshop intelligently fills in pixels.

adjust image resolution for depixelation in photoshop

Step 2: Despeckle Filter

Tired of permanent edits that lock you into decisions? Here's the golden rule: Always protect your original image! There are a quick non-destructive setup:

1. Press Ctrl+J (Win) / Cmd+J (Mac) to duplicate your layer

2. Right-click the new layer > Convert to Smart Object

Now your filters remain editable forever!

nondestructive way to depixelate images in photoshop

So how to remove noise like a pro, just like this:

1. Go to Filter > Noise > Despeckle

2. Repeat instantly with Alt+Ctrl+F (Win) / Opt+Cmd+F (Mac)

reduce image noise for depixelation in photoshop

Step 3: Gaussian Blur Filter

1. Go to Filter> Blur > Gaussian Blur.

2. Adjust the Radius to a small value, tweaking it until the blur looks just right.

3. Click OK to apply the effect.

Give it a try, and see how it transforms your image.

Step 4: Unsharp Mask

1. Go to Filter > Sharpen> Unsharp Mask.

2. Adjust the Amount, Radius, and Threshold to enhance details without over-sharpening, especially in portraits.

Focus on areas like feathers, foliage, or architecture. Experiment with the settings to find the perfect balance for a sharper image without accentuating imperfections.

With a little bit of experimentation, you can find the perfect settings to bring out the best depixelate image photoshop.

Method 2. How to Instantly Depixelate Images Online

1. Depixelate Images Online Free with Fotor

Fotor is an impressive online photo editing platform that can transform your ordinary photos into stunning masterpieces. It's designed for both amateur and professional photographers who are looking to enhance their images and make them stand out. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Fotor lets you apply filters, adjust brightness and contrast, remove blemishes, and much more.

Easy-to-use steps for how to depixelate an image online

If you are searching for how to fix a pixelated image quickly, Fotor is a great option for you. You just need to drag and drop your image, then select the "1-Tap Enhance" or "AI Upscaler" option on the left, so that your image will be processed. However, there are many ads on the website, and the images will have watermarks. You can try to download images for Fotor Pro.

2. Lunapics

Looking for a fun and easy way to transform your photos into works of art? Look no further than Lunapics! This online photo editing tool is packed with features that will help you take your images to the next level. With a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls, you can quickly and easily enhance your photos and add creative effects.

Steps to Depixelate an Image on Lunapics

Step 1: Choose your image what you want to depixelate.

Step 2: Click “Adjust” in the navigation bar and select the “AI Enhancer” function. Then click “Download Now”.

Method 3. How to Depixelate an Image on iPhone/Android

Both iOS and Android devices offer basic photo editing features in their respective Photos apps. In addition, the Photos app provides simple options to depixelate your images for free. You can easily adjust sharpness to improve the quality and reduce pixelation. This mainly applies to objects; its effect on portraits is relatively light. Take the iPhone as an example.

Steps to Depixelate a Photo on iPhone

Step 1: Open the photo what you want to edit.

Step 2: Use Auto for quick fixes.

Step 3: Adjust Contrast if needed, making the overall color more vibrant.

Step 4: Increase Sharpness to the appropriate value. But remember not to over-sharpen the settings. Finally, save your photos.

FAQs About Image Depixelizer

Q1. What does Depixelate an image mean?

A1. Depixelating an image means an image that has become blurry and composed of large blocks of pixels through technical tools to make its details clearer, edges sharper, and trying to get closer to the original high-resolution image.

Q2. Why do images become pixelated?

A2. Images become pixelated due to low resolution, excessive zooming, compression artifacts, or poor upscaling methods.

Q3. How to fix a pixelated picture to high quality?

A3. To fix a pixelated picture and enhance its quality, HitPaw FotorPea is a great solution. It uses AI to turn pixelated images into high-quality ones. Additionally, the online version lets you quickly depixelate images without any downloads.

Q4. How do I unpixelate an image in Illustrator?

A4. In Illustrator, you need to edit the image step by step. You can try the following: First, use "image trace" to adjust settings to convert the image into a vector. Second, adjust the trace settings to the "threshold" and "paths" for a higher-quality result. Finally, an advanced technique is to refine with the "pen tool". After tracing, you can use the pen tool to manually smooth out edges if needed.

Q5. Is AI the best way to depixelate an image?

A5. Yes, AI is one of the most effective ways to depixelate an image. Unlike traditional methods, artificial intelligence can fill in missing features and produce more natural-looking photos, making it a very effective depixelation solution.

Conclusion

Depixelating images have never been easier with the help of online tools and software. HitPaw FotorPea stands out among the many options available with its user-friendly interface and advanced AI technology that can quickly and efficiently remove pixelation while preserving image quality.

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