How to Open WebP Files for Free & New Way to Make WebP Compatible

Clients often experience disappointment after downloading images since their system cannot read the file. Many users face files with WEBP format when accessing them. As the Google-developed format provides enhanced compression through superior quality, it faces platform compatibility issues. There are multiple methods to access WEBP files without complications. The following guide outlines straightforward techniques on how to open WebP files, turn, and work with WEBP files using any combination of Windows, Mac, and mobile operating systems.

Part 1: What WebP File Is?

Google created WebP files, representing a contemporary image format that delivers superior visual quality in reduced file size distributions. Compared to standard file types, including JPEG and PNG, the advanced compression methods in WebP images offer sharp visuals and greatly diminished storage needs. WebP files stand out as an image format because they achieve high-resolution quality and fast webpage loading speed.

Advantages of Using WebP:

• WebP images have the advantage of taking up only 30% of the space that JPEG and PNG files need, yet they preserve the same level of quality, thus improving website speed and operational performance.

• The WebP file format maintains transparency through its background transparency, just like PNG files can do so for graphic and web applications.

• WebP includes animation features that enable users to embed lightweight animated content whenever they need to replace GIFs.

• Lossy and lossless compression methods exist in this format, allowing users to select compression strength according to their quality requirements.

Disadvantages of Using WebP:

• Modern browsers and software programs support WebP; however, specific older devices or applications cannot access these files unless they undergo conversion.

• Some image editors require users to install additional plugins or complete conversion procedures when editing WebP files.

• The need for WebP files might not apply if images are stored without any compatibility issues because standard formats such as PNG and JPEG serve equally well.

The efficiency advantages of WebP file format excel in web optimization when users need to minimize website load times and enhance the user experience. Opening WebP files proves challenging when a device does not support this format. We will examine proven methods to accomplish this task in the next part of the discussion.

Part 2: How to Open WebP File on Windows and Mac

WEBP files have gained widespread usage as a popular image format since the combination of superior visual quality with reduced file size makes them appealing to users. Default image viewers tend to lack support for WEBP files, making opening these files problematic. Below, we’ll explore the best ways to open WEBP files on Mac and Windows and how you can open a WEBP file in Photoshop for editing.

1. Paint

The Paint app is an easy way for Windows users to open WEBP files without installing third-party software. Since Windows 10 enlisted Paint as its core Windows tool, it has the capability for WEBP image support, which has lasted for multiple decades. The Paint application allows users to observe WEBP files and transform them into regular formats like JPEG, PNG, BMP, and other common image choices. This functionality works well when dealing with applications that do not support the WEBP format.

Step 1Hit the Windows button on your keyword, search the Paint, and launch it.

Step 2Click the File button and Open here to find the WebP file you want to view on your Windows.

Step 3With that, you can now edit the WebP file you uploaded here according to your wants. Not only that, but you can also make the background transparent in Paint.

2. Preview App

Preview provides macOS users with an efficient built-in tool to preview WEBP images through basic editing capabilities for cropping, resizing, or rotating the images. Preview is a powerful tool that lets users convert WEBP files into JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and PDF formats. The conversion capabilities found in Preview make WEBP files accessible to people without the necessary software for WEBP support. Learn how to open WebP files on your Mac by following the tutorial here.

Step 1To find the Preview app on Mac, search it on the Mac Finder.

Step 2On the top menu, select File and upload the WebP file you want to view.

Step 3As easy as that, you can now view the WebP file you downloaded or saved on your Mac device.

3. Adobe Photoshop

Professionals who need to edit WEBP images find the most advanced solution in Adobe Photoshop. It gives users powerful editing capabilities to improve images, modify colors, and add special effects. Its later versions contain native WEBP file support, enabling users to work with WEBP image files through the same process as other file types. WEBP files cause issues when opening an outdated version of Photoshop. How to open a WebP file in Photoshop? Follow the tutorial here.

Step 1After downloading Adobe Photoshop, you must launch it, click the File and choose Open.

Step 2A file folder will appear on your screen, allowing you to find the WebP file you have on Photoshop.

Step 3With the features and tools available here, you can do advanced editing on the WebP. If you want to improve the overall quality of the image, you can use the Adobe Super Resolution feature.

Part 3: Easily Convert WebP File If You Cannot Open It

AVAide Image Converter is an easy-to-use strong program that converts WEBP and other image formats, including JPEG and PNG, alongside TIFF and BMP files. The software enables batch processing of WEBP files through its system, which saves users from spending too much time on the conversion process. The software enables efficient high-speed conversions, which allows rapid translation between different image file types without causing any harm to visual quality. Users gain complete control over output files through AVAide Image Converter because it will enable them to adjust image resolution with compression and format setting options.

Step 1With your browser, search the official page of its image converter to use it immediately.

Step 2Then, set the output format you want to get by clicking the Output Format and clicking the + button to select the WebP files you want to turn into a new format suitable across any device.

Step 3After the conversion, click the Download button to save it on your PC drive, and you can open and send the WebP without encountering more problems.

By Jane Pineda on Apr 03, 2025