Messaging Apps Compress Your Files, but There Is a Way Around This Problem.

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We used to post our photos and videos on social media for the whole world to see. Now, it’s much more common to send these photos and videos to friends and family via private chats, but you might not know that they’re heavily compressed during transmission.

There are many reasons for this: for example, it means files are transferred faster, and the companies developing these messaging apps don’t have to spend as much on cloud storage (imagine millions of images being constantly sent by millions of users). However, the recipients of these photos and videos lose some of their value and receive copies of much lower quality.

Often, on a small phone screen, the difference is barely noticeable, so apps get away with it. But if you’re viewing something on a computer screen or trying to print something to have a permanent physical copy, the compression quickly becomes apparent. Most messaging apps do this, but there’s a workaround if you want your photos and videos sent in full resolution.

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How much do messengers compress files?

When posting on Instagram, pay attention to the HD button. Source: Lifehacker

Messaging apps are quite coy about disclosing their compression levels: an internet search will likely lead you to Reddit discussions and support forums rather than official documentation. Apple acknowledges that iMessage applies compression “when necessary,” and Google confirms that files “may have lower resolution” when sent via Google Chat, but both are rather vague.

To clarify, I ran a quick test on a 12MP, 4000 x 3000 pixel, 3.4 MB image taken with a Pixel. Keeping in mind that compression levels will vary depending on the image being sent, and this was just a single image test, here’s how the file changed after being sent via various private messages:

  • Facebook Messenger: 2048 x 1536 pixels, 392 KB

  • Google Chat: 1600 x 1200 pixels, 324 KB

  • Google Messenger: 4000 x 3000 pixels, 3.4 MB.

  • iMessage: 4000 x 3000 pixels, 3.2 MB

  • Instagram: 1000 x 750 pixels, 138 KB

  • WhatsApp: 2000 x 1500 pixels, 390 KB

As you can see, there’s a lot of compression going on here, but Google Messages and iMessage clearly win when it comes to preserving original quality (at least for images)—that’s a good sign for both Apple’s proprietary messaging system and RCS.

It’s also worth exploring each app’s settings. For example, Instagram has an HD button next to the photo and video selection window. When I selected it, Instagram downsized my original photo to 2000 x 1500 pixels, resulting in a file size of 421 KB.

Instagram’s help section says that the system automatically adjusts image compression based on current network conditions, which is another thing to consider if you might want to share all your photos and videos over Wi-Fi (which is what I did in this case).

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How to send files in original quality via instant messaging apps

Getting iCloud links in Apple Photos takes just a few taps. Source: Lifehacker

You can guarantee that your photos and videos will reach your friends and family in their stunning, original quality, but you’ll also lose some convenience. Essentially, you need to choose a cloud storage service that stores your images and videos in full resolution, and then share links to these files rather than the files themselves.

When sending baby photos or party pictures, the instant experience will be slightly different: recipients will see a rather plain link instead of thumbnails directly in their apps (although in some cases, a small preview may be attached). If quality is your top priority, this is the best way to share photos and videos.

You can use any cloud storage service you choose, but if it’s from the same company as your favorite messaging app, it makes sense to combine them. For example, in Google Photos on Android, you can tap a photo to view it, then select “Share,” then “Share” again to find the “Create Link” feature. You can then share this link with any contact in any app.

In the Photos app on your iPhone, you can get a link to a photo after opening it by tapping the Share button (in the lower left corner) and then “Copy iCloud Link.” Again, you can paste this link anywhere, and sharing entire folders of photos is not much more difficult than sharing individual images.

This method of sharing photos and videos has an added benefit: you can revoke access permissions at any time. For example, you can add new people and remove others from albums showing your baby’s growth. It’s not as quick and easy as direct file sharing, but you get a little more control (and higher resolution).

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