Since macOS Big Sur there is a new image format in Safari. It is .webp, a format developed by Google that has gained compatibility with Apple’s browser in this latest version. A format that has its advantages and disadvantages, but which, above all, we have to learn to manage . Let’s see how to save and convert this new class of images on our iPhone, iPad or Mac.
One more format that we can convert to others
A brief technical note. The .webp format is an image format developed by Google and designed for the web. One of the main advantages is the size of the images, which is noticeably reduced , which makes it ideal for sites that need to load at full speed. This format has been around for a while, but it wasn’t until macOS Big Sur that Safari became compatible with it.
The result of this compatibility is that now, when we download an image in this format, we may not be able to open or edit it or attach it to Twitter, for example. Fortunately we can convert these images to the most popular .png or .jpg easily .
On our Mac, converting .webp images to other formats is as easy as going to Preview . The exact steps are as follows:
- We open the .webp image in the Previewapp on our Mac.
- In the Filemenu we tap on Export .
- In the Formatselector we choose what we want to export the image to. Normally we will choose PNG or JPEG.
- In Locationwe choose where we want to save it.
- We touch Save.
The original image in .webp format can then go to the trash can. Easy right? The converted image will be ready so that we can edit it in the photographic retouching applications that we know, to be able to send it in an email or any other management that we want to do with it.
If we usually convert images on our Mac on a regular basis, we may want to create a folder / automation with Automator so that all the images that we drag there are currently converted to the format and size we want. A very simple process that greatly simplifies all conversions.
And on our iPhone or iPad? We also have resources
On the Mac, the conversion of .webp images is something that the same operating system offers us through Preview. In the case of the iPhone or iPad, for now this is not an option, we still have a couple of resources. The simplest, not the most elegant, is to take a screenshot of the image we want to save . This capture will be in .png format, so we will not need any conversion.
Another option is to use a shortcut. The truth is that it is quite simple, as we can see in the tweet above. We simply have to create a shortcut with the Convert image action where we will choose the format that best suits us , the Preview action to be able to see and share / save the result and activate the option Show when sharing .
IN APPLESFERA
Four ways to find the full path of any file on our Mac
The truth is that there are more and more file formats. Fortunately, in the image and video field, PNG and JPG / JPEG formats are the most widespread and practically universal in terms of support.
