WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. One of the main features of WhatsApp is the ability to send photos and videos to your contacts. However, some users have noticed that the quality of photos sent via WhatsApp seems lower than the original photo on their camera roll. So does WhatsApp actually change or compress your photos when you send them?
Why Photos May Appear Lower Quality on WhatsApp
There are a few reasons why your photos may look lower quality or pixelated after sending through WhatsApp:
- Image Compression – WhatsApp compresses photos and videos to make them quicker to send over the internet. This compression causes some loss of quality.
- Reduced Resolution – WhatsApp resizes and reduces the resolution of photos to 720p for images and 1080p for videos. Lower resolution equals lower image quality.
- File Format Changes – WhatsApp converts photos and videos to be compatible with all devices. This conversion can reduce quality.
- Screen Size Differences – A photo will look crisper and higher quality when viewed full screen on a DSLR or phone camera compared to the smaller WhatsApp screen.
So in summary, WhatsApp does make changes to your photos that can result in perceived loss of quality, mainly through compression and resolution reductions. But does this actually change or damage the original photo file?
Does WhatsApp Reduce the Quality of the Original Photo?
The short answer is no. WhatsApp does not actually degrade or alter the original high resolution version of your photos that remain in your phone’s camera roll or gallery.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Your Original Photo Remains Intact
When you select a photo in WhatsApp to send, the app makes a copy of the original file and stores it temporarily on your phone. It is this copy that WhatsApp modifies by compressing it to reduce file size and lower resolution for quick sending.
Your actual original photo or video remains untouched in your camera roll or gallery at its original file size and resolution.
You Are Sending a Lower Quality Version, Not the Original
So the photo you see in WhatsApp and send to your friends is actually a lower quality version of your original photo. The original remains intact on your phone while a compressed copy is transmitted over WhatsApp.
This is why your friends may notice the photo looks slightly lower quality on WhatsApp versus your original camera roll version. But again, the original is never degraded.
Check Your Camera Roll Photo to See the Original Quality
If you notice a photo looks lower quality after sending on WhatsApp, check your camera roll or gallery and look at the original. You’ll see the actual original looks crisp and high resolution, compared to the WhatsApp version.
So in summary, WhatsApp never alters your valuable original photos. It only makes compressed copies to send.
Does WhatsApp Reduce Photo Quality on Android and iPhone?
WhatsApp uses the same compression and resolution reduction methods for photos on both Android and iPhone. So Android and iPhone users will see the same changes in apparent photo quality when sending photos through WhatsApp.
Here are the key points:
Same Resolution and Compression on Android and iPhone
– Photos are compressed to lower file size, which reduces quality on both platforms.
– Resolution is lowered to 720p for photos on both Android and iPhone.
– Originals remain untouched in your camera roll on both devices.
Quality Depends on Your Camera, Not WhatsApp
– Higher resolution phone cameras will still capture higher quality originals.
– But WhatsApp’s compression impacts both platforms the same way.
– iPhone and high-end Androids may have better camera hardware, but WhatsApp’s changes are consistent.
So WhatsApp does not discriminate between platforms – your original photos remain intact and the copies sent are lower quality on both Android and iPhone.
Does WhatsApp Alter Photo Quality Based on Connection Speed?
WhatsApp’s photo and video compression methods are designed to reduce file sizes to make sending faster and more reliable. So your connection speed can have an impact on the apparent quality of media sent through WhatsApp.
Here are the key factors:
Faster Connections = Less Compression
– On very fast WiFi connections, WhatsApp may use less compression since transfer speed is not a constraint.
– With less compression, your photos may retain more quality when sent over fast connections.
Slower Connections = More Compression
– On slower mobile connections, WhatsApp will use more aggressive compression to keep transfer times reasonable.
– Heavier compression can further reduce the visual quality of sent photos.
Connection Speed Affects Copy Quality, Not Original
– But regardless of connection speed, your original is never altered by WhatsApp.
– Only the sent copy’s quality varies based on WhatsApp’s compression settings for your connection.
So in summary, faster connections allow WhatsApp to use less compression and maintain more apparent quality. But slower connections lead to heavier compression and lower quality sent copies. But your original is always preserved untouched.
Tips for Sending High Quality Photos on WhatsApp
If you want to share photos through WhatsApp with the highest quality possible, here are some tips:
Send from Fast WiFi for Less Compression
– Use WhatsApp to send photos when connected to fast WiFi whenever possible. The faster connection will allow WhatsApp to use lower compression rates.
Save to Camera Roll Before Sending
– Save any edited versions or modifications of photos to your camera roll before sending on WhatsApp. Edits made in other apps then saved to your camera roll will retain higher quality than editing directly in WhatsApp.
Share a Link to Your Original Photo
– To avoid quality loss from compression, share a Google Photos or other cloud link to your original full resolution photo rather than sending the photo file directly through WhatsApp.
Use WhatsApp’s “Best Quality” Media Upload Setting
– In your WhatsApp settings, enable the “Best Quality” upload preset to always send photos at the highest quality possible, reducing compression.
Avoid Multi-Sharing the Same Photo
– Each time a photo is shared on WhatsApp, it undergoes another round of compression. So multi-sharing the same photo will progressively reduce quality. Instead, send it once and have recipients share it to others.
Following these tips will help ensure your photos retain the highest possible visual quality when sharing them via WhatsApp. But keep in mind the original photo is always preserved no matter what.
FAQs about WhatsApp and Photo Quality
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about how WhatsApp affects photo quality when sending:
Does WhatsApp reduce photo quality forever?
No, WhatsApp does not permanently reduce the quality of your original photos. It only sends a lower quality copy when sharing on WhatsApp. Your original remains intact.
Can you recover full quality photos sent on WhatsApp?
You cannot recover the full original quality just from the WhatsApp copy. But you can access the original full resolution photo in your phone’s gallery or camera roll app. That original version remains untouched by WhatsApp.
Does WhatsApp reduce video quality like photos?
Yes, WhatsApp compresses and reduces the resolution of videos similarly to how it handles photos. Video quality will appear lower on WhatsApp but the original is not altered.
Does WhatsApp alter quality based on your phone model?
No, WhatsApp’s compression and resolution reduction are consistent across all phone models. Your original photo quality depends on your specific phone’s camera, not on WhatsApp.
Can you prevent quality loss on WhatsApp?
There is no way to completely prevent quality loss when sending directly through WhatsApp. You can share cloud links instead of sending the photo file to retain original full quality.
The Bottom Line
To summarize, WhatsApp does lower the apparent quality of photos sent through its service using compression and resolution reduction. But it never actually degrades or alters your valuable original photo stored in your phone’s camera roll or gallery. Those originals remain intact at their full original quality regardless of sharing on WhatsApp.
Conclusion
While sending photos on WhatsApp can make them look lower quality, your original photo is never damaged or changed. WhatsApp only modifies temporary copies, not the actual photo file. So you can rest assured knowing your precious photos are always preserved at their full original resolution and quality in your phone’s gallery.