How to Open a WebP File
You have a .webp file and nothing will open it. Here is why that happens and how to fix it on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android — in under two minutes.
Why WebP files don't open in older apps
WebP is Google's image format, launched in 2010. Browser support came quickly, but desktop software took much longer to catch up. Photoshop didn't support WebP until CC 2021. Older versions of Windows Photos and Paint didn't support it until 2018. Many email clients still don't render WebP correctly.
If you downloaded an image from a website, a Google product, or saved something from Chrome, there is a good chance it arrived as .webp. The file is perfectly valid — your software just doesn't know how to read it yet.
Opening WebP on Windows
If you just want to view it: drag the file into Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Any modern browser can display WebP files directly.
If you need to edit or share it: right-click > Open With > Paint (or Photos on Windows 10/11). Both support WebP. To save as JPG from Paint: File > Save As > JPEG picture.
Opening WebP on Mac
Open the file in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox to view it. From macOS Ventura onward, Preview opens WebP natively. On older macOS: right-click the file > Open With > Google Chrome. To convert from Preview: File > Export > Format: JPEG.
Opening WebP in Photoshop
Photoshop CC 2021 and later: File > Open and select the .webp file. It opens directly.
Older Photoshop: convert the WebP to PNG first using the tool below (PNG is lossless and Photoshop-compatible), then open the PNG.
Opening WebP on iPhone and Android
Mobile browsers (Safari on iOS, Chrome on Android) both display WebP. If the file is in your Files app and won't preview, open this page in your browser, use the converter to turn it into a JPG, and save the JPG to your Photos library.
The fastest fix: convert to JPG or PNG
If you just need the image to open everywhere without dealing with software settings, converting to JPG or PNG is the reliable solution. JPG opens in every app on every device. PNG preserves any transparency. Both take seconds with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open a WebP file?
WebP was created by Google in 2010 and took years to gain widespread support. Older software — older versions of Windows Photos, Photoshop before CC 2021, some email clients, and legacy apps — was built before WebP became standard. The file format is valid, but the software doesn't know how to read it. The fix is to either update your software or convert the WebP to JPG or PNG.
How do I open a WebP file on Windows 10 or 11?
On Windows 10 and 11, you can open WebP files in Microsoft Edge (browser), Chrome, Firefox, the Photos app (version 2018 and later), and Paint. Simply right-click the file and choose 'Open with' to select one of these. If none work, convert the file to JPG using the tool on this page.
How do I open a WebP file on a Mac?
On Mac, WebP files open natively in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. Preview (the built-in image viewer) supports WebP from macOS Ventura onward. For older macOS versions, the easiest fix is to open the file in Chrome and convert it using the WebP to JPG tool on this page.
Can I open a WebP file in Photoshop?
Photoshop CC 2021 and later supports WebP natively. Older versions do not. If you have an older version of Photoshop, convert the WebP to PNG first (PNG is lossless and fully compatible) and then open the PNG in Photoshop.
How do I open a WebP file on iPhone or Android?
Both iOS and Android support WebP in their browsers (Safari, Chrome). If the file is in your Photos or Files app and won't open, open a browser, go to quicktoolshub.org/webp-to-jpg, upload the file, convert it to JPG, and save the JPG — which will open in any photo app.
What is the easiest way to convert a WebP file to something that opens everywhere?
Use the WebP to JPG converter on this page. Drop the file, click Convert, download the JPG. JPG is universally supported — it opens in every app, on every device, in every operating system. If you need transparency preserved, use the WebP to PNG converter instead.