AI Time Machine
#44 in Avatars
« Cross the time by generating images from your photo »
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AI Time Machine: MyHeritage's viral history portraits, now discontinued
Updated on October 13, 2026
AI Time Machine was a MyHeritage feature that turned selfies into historical portraits, from Roman warriors to 1950s pin-ups, using a personalized text-to-image model licensed from Astria. MyHeritage discontinued the service in January 2026 and now redirects the old URL to LiveMemory, a photo animation tool with an entirely different purpose. When it was active, one-time packs ranged from $10 to $18, with a brief free period at launch.
Pros
- Hyper-realistic portraits across dozens of historical eras
- No technical skill required to get started
- Photos deleted after processing, image rights kept by the user
- AI watermark added to every generated image
- Direct sharing to social networks
Cons
- Permanently shut down since January 2026
- Initial model took 30 min to 2 h to build
- Some outputs showed distorted features or extra fingers
How AI Time Machine worked
AI Time Machine relied on a personalized text-to-image model licensed from Astria. You uploaded 10 to 25 photos (35 max) of a single person, mixing angles, expressions and lighting. The platform then built a face model and synthesized it with predefined historical themes, each producing 8 portraits.
Building the first model took roughly 30 minutes to 2 hours. Additional themes rendered in about 1 to 2 minutes each. An email notification arrived once the results were ready, and a gallery page let you browse every model you had created. The recommended photo mix was around 3 full-body shots, 5 medium shots and 10 close-ups.
MyHeritage added AI-generated imagery watermarks to every output and prohibited uploads of minors or harmful content. The generated images remained your property.
Official AI Time Machine demo by MyHeritage (in French)
Pricing and quotas before the shutdown
At launch in November 2022, AI Time Machine was temporarily free, limited to one model and 20 themes per person (around 160 images). Three one-time purchase packs replaced the free tier shortly after.
| Pack | Themes included | Approx. images | Price (2022) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time Travel | Around 60 | 480+ | $12 |
| Avatar | Around 40 | 320+ | $10 |
| All-Inclusive | Around 100 | 800+ | $18 |
Alternatives after the shutdown
MyHeritage now points visitors to LiveMemory, which animates still photos into short video clips. Impressive as it is, LiveMemory does not recreate the costume-and-era portrait experience. For that kind of result, other tools have stepped in.
PhotoAI generates personalized portraits in a wide range of styles, including historical settings. Lensa AI focuses on artistic avatar packs from selfies. Deep Nostalgia, another MyHeritage product, still animates old family portraits but does not place a face into period costumes. The broader AI avatar generator category has grown considerably since 2022, with both free and paid options available.
Frequently asked questions
Is MyHeritage AI Time Machine still available?
No. MyHeritage confirmed in January 2026 that AI Time Machine was sunset and is no longer available. The former URL now redirects to LiveMemory, a separate feature that animates still photos into short video clips. LiveMemory does not replicate the historical-portrait function. Previously generated images do not appear to be accessible anymore.
Is AI Time Machine free?
It was free for a limited time at launch in November 2022, capped at one model and roughly 20 themes per person. After that, one-time packs cost between $10 and $18. Since the feature was discontinued in January 2026, none of these packs can be purchased.
How long did AI Time Machine take to generate portraits?
Building the initial face model required 30 minutes to about 2 hours, depending on server load. Each additional theme then rendered in approximately 1 to 2 minutes, producing 8 images per theme. MyHeritage sent an email notification once all results were ready for viewing.
What is the best AI time machine app alternative?
AI Time Machine was not a standalone app; it ran inside the MyHeritage website and mobile browser. For similar results today, PhotoAI offers personalized historical-style portraits, Lensa AI creates artistic avatar packs, and Deep Nostalgia animates old family photos. Each has its own pricing model and style range.
Verdict: From November 2022 onward, AI Time Machine gave people a fun, low-effort way to picture themselves in another century. The feature is gone, but PhotoAI, Lensa AI and a growing roster of avatar generators carry the concept forward with newer models and broader style libraries.
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