How to Open WebP Files on Any Device
Learning how to open WebP files takes a minute. Your web browser can almost always open them, and when an app refuses, converting the file to JPG or PNG solves it.
Use our free WebP to JPG tool to do this in just a few clicks. It runs in your browser, so your files stay private.
Key takeaways
- Drag a .webp file into any current browser to view it.
- Recent versions of Windows, macOS, iOS and Android open WebP in many apps.
- If a program still refuses, convert the file to JPG or PNG.
What a .webp file is
A .webp file is an image in Google’s WebP format. Websites use it because it is small and fast, so when you save a picture from a page you may end up with a .webp file instead of a JPG.
Open it in your browser
The quickest way is to drag the file into a browser window, or right-click it and choose to open it with Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari. All current major browsers display WebP.
On Windows
Newer Windows versions can show WebP in the Photos app. If Photos or Paint cannot open the file, install Microsoft’s free WebP Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store, or open the file in a browser.
On a Mac
Recent versions of macOS open WebP in Preview and Safari. On older systems, open the file in a browser or convert it.
On iPhone and Android
Recent versions of iOS and Android show WebP in the browser and in many gallery apps. If an app will not accept the file you want to send, convert it first.
If an app still refuses
Convert the file. Use WebP to JPG for the most compatible result, or WebP to PNG if you need to keep transparency. Both tools run in your browser, so your picture is not uploaded.
Tip: keep the original WebP and use the converted copy only where you need it.
Is it safe to open a WebP file?
A WebP file is an ordinary image, and opening one in a browser or image viewer is as safe as opening any other picture. As with every download, be careful with files from unknown sources, and keep your browser and operating system up to date.
Opening many WebP files at once
If you have a whole folder of WebP images that an app will not open, converting them one by one is slow. Add up to 30 files to WebP to JPG, press Convert and download everything as a ZIP.
Check that the file is really WebP
Sometimes a file has the wrong extension. If an app says the file is damaged, drop it into a browser. If the browser shows it, the file is fine and the app simply cannot read that format. AllWebP also reads the real content of the file rather than trusting its name.
Image editors and office programs
Support is growing, but it varies. Some editors open WebP directly, some need a plug-in, and some office programs still refuse it. When a program will not take a WebP file, converting to JPG or PNG is the quickest way forward.
Windows, step by step
- Right-click the .webp file and choose Open with.
- Pick your browser, or the Photos app if it appears.
- If nothing opens it, install the WebP image extension from the Microsoft Store, or convert the file.
Mac, step by step
- Select the file and press the space bar for a Quick Look preview.
- Double-click to open it in Preview on recent macOS versions.
- If it does not open, drag it into Safari or convert it.
Save as JPG from now on
If you keep ending up with WebP files, read how to save images as JPG instead of WebP. It explains why it happens and the options you have.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| The app says the file is damaged | Open it in a browser. If it shows, the app cannot read WebP, so convert it |
| No preview in the file manager | Install the system image extension, or open it in a browser |
| The upload form rejects the file | Convert it to JPG or PNG first |
Receiving WebP by email or chat
When someone sends you a WebP file, your mail program may show it or may offer only a download. Open the downloaded file in a browser, or convert it if you need to edit or print it.
Printing a WebP file
Printing from a browser works for a single image, but print shops often ask for JPG or PDF. Convert the file to JPG for the best compatibility, or place it into a PDF with WebP to PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my picture save as WebP?
Many websites serve WebP because it is smaller. Your browser saves the file exactly as the site provides it.
Is a WebP file safe to open?
It is an ordinary image format. As with any file, only open files from sources you trust.
Can I rename .webp to .jpg?
Renaming does not convert the file, and many apps will still fail. Use a converter instead.
Keep reading
What is WebP? Learn what the WebP image format is, how it compares with JPG and PNG, where it works and when to convert it. A simple guide.
How to Convert WebP to JPG (Free, Without Software)How to convert WebP to JPG in a few clicks. Step-by-step guide with quality tips, transparency handling and fixes for common problems.
WebP vs JPG: Which Image Format Is Better?WebP vs JPG compared: file size, quality, transparency, compatibility and when to use each. Learn which format is better for your images.