What Is a WEBP File?
WEBP (pronounced "weppy") is an image format created by Google in 2010. It's now the dominant image format on the web — virtually every modern website serves images as WEBP because it offers significantly better compression than JPEG while maintaining the same visual quality.
Key characteristics:
- 25-35% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality
- Supports transparency (like PNG, unlike JPEG)
- Supports animation (like GIF, but much smaller file sizes)
- Lossy and lossless compression modes
- Supported everywhere: Android, iOS, all modern browsers, Windows 10+, macOS
When you save an image from Chrome, download a photo from WhatsApp Web, or save images from social media, you're increasingly getting WEBP files instead of JPEG or PNG.
Viewing WEBP on Android
Android has supported WEBP natively since Android 4.0 (2011). Every Android device displays WEBP images without any special app:
- Open AnExplorer → navigate to your images folder
- WEBP files show thumbnails in grid view (just like JPEG/PNG)
- Tap to open in the built-in photo viewer
- Pinch to zoom, swipe to browse other images in the folder
AnExplorer's photo viewer handles WEBP identically to JPEG and PNG — full resolution display, zoom, rotation, and sharing.
Where WEBP Files Come From
You'll encounter WEBP images from:
Web browsing: When you long-press and save an image from Chrome, Firefox, or any browser, it saves in the format the website serves — which is almost always WEBP in 2026.
Messaging apps: WhatsApp Web, Telegram, and Discord often deliver images as WEBP. Stickers in WhatsApp are WEBP files.
Social media: Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook serve images as WEBP. Saving them preserves the format.
Screenshots on some devices: Some Android skins save screenshots as WEBP instead of PNG for smaller file sizes.
App downloads: Wallpaper apps, icon packs, and design resources often use WEBP.
Managing WEBP Images with AnExplorer
Browse with thumbnails:
- Grid view shows WEBP thumbnails alongside JPEG and PNG — no visual difference
- Sort by date, size, or name
- Filter to show only images in a mixed folder
Organize:
- Move WEBP files between folders
- Rename (change extension to .jpg won't convert — keep as .webp)
- Copy to cloud storage, NAS, or external drives
- Delete unwanted images
Share:
- Share WEBP directly via messaging apps (all modern apps accept WEBP)
- Upload to cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
- Send to PC via Device Connect
Batch operations:
- Select multiple WEBP files for batch move, copy, or delete
- Compress a folder of WEBP images into ZIP for sharing
- Copy entire photo folders to NAS for backup
WEBP vs JPEG vs PNG — Comparison
| Aspect | WEBP | JPEG | PNG |
|---|---|---|---|
| File size (photo) | Smallest | Medium | Largest |
| Quality (lossy) | Excellent | Excellent | N/A (lossless only) |
| Transparency | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Animation | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ (APNG exists but rare) |
| Android support | ✅ (4.0+) | ✅ (all) | ✅ (all) |
| iOS support | ✅ (14+) | ✅ (all) | ✅ (all) |
| Editing software | Most modern editors | Universal | Universal |
| Camera output | ❌ (no camera shoots WEBP) | ✅ (default) | ❌ |
When you'll see each format:
- WEBP: Web downloads, messaging stickers, app assets
- JPEG: Camera photos, older image files
- PNG: Screenshots, graphics with transparency, icons
WEBP on Different Devices
Phones and tablets: Full native support. AnExplorer displays WEBP in the photo viewer with zoom and gallery browsing.
Android TV: WEBP images display on the big screen. Useful for viewing downloaded wallpapers or photo slideshows.
Chromebook: ChromeOS has excellent WEBP support (Google's format). AnExplorer on Chromebook handles WEBP like any other image.
Sharing with iPhone users: iOS 14+ supports WEBP natively. Older iPhones may not display WEBP — if sharing with someone on an old iPhone, consider converting to JPEG first.
Common Questions About WEBP
"Why can't I open this WEBP in Photoshop?"
Older versions of Photoshop (before CC 2022) don't support WEBP natively. Solutions:
- Update Photoshop to the latest version
- Install a WEBP plugin for older Photoshop
- Convert to PNG before editing (screenshot method works)
"How do I stop Chrome from saving as WEBP?"
Chrome saves images in whatever format the website serves. You can't change this in Chrome settings. Workarounds:
- Use "Save image as" and manually change extension (doesn't actually convert)
- Use a browser extension that forces JPEG/PNG downloads
- Accept WEBP — it works everywhere in 2026
"Are WEBP files safe?"
WEBP files are images — they can't contain viruses or malware. They're as safe as JPEG or PNG files. However, always be cautious about downloading files from untrusted sources regardless of format.
"Can I use WEBP as my profile picture?"
Most platforms accept WEBP for profile pictures (Google, Discord, many forums). Some older platforms may require JPEG or PNG — check the upload requirements.
Animated WEBP
WEBP supports animation (like GIF but much smaller). Animated WEBP files are common as:
- WhatsApp stickers
- Discord emotes
- Web animations saved from browsers
AnExplorer's photo viewer plays animated WEBP files. They appear with a small play indicator in the thumbnail.
Related Guides
- Open HEIC Files on Android — Apple's image format
- Photo Viewer — AnExplorer's built-in gallery
- Open ZIP Files on Android — extract image archives
- Cloud Storage — back up your photo library