WebP was designed by Google and is a relatively modern format. While all major browsers have supported it for years, desktop applications, printers, legacy software, and some platforms still have incomplete or no WebP support. This guide identifies which apps struggle with WebP and gives the specific fix for each situation.
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Add to Chrome — FreeWebP Support by Application
| Application | WebP Support | Fix if not supported |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari | Full support | N/A |
| Windows 10/11 Photos app (2019+) | Full support | Update Windows |
| Windows Legacy Photo Viewer | No support | Convert to JPG/PNG |
| Windows Paint (Win 10 2019+) | Can open; save limited | Save As JPG from Paint |
| macOS Preview (Ventura+) | Full support | Update macOS |
| Adobe Photoshop CC 2022+ | Full support | Update Photoshop |
| Photoshop CS6/CC pre-2022 | No native support | Install WebP plugin or convert |
| GIMP 2.10+ | Full support | Update GIMP |
| Canva (web) | Can upload WebP | Usually works fine |
| Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint) | Partial (Web App: yes, Desktop: limited) | Convert to PNG for insertion |
| LibreOffice | Full support in recent versions | Update LibreOffice |
| WhatsApp, Telegram (mobile) | Full support | N/A |
| Instagram uploads | Accepted | Convert to JPG if rejected |
| Many print services | Often not supported | Convert to JPG for printing |
Fix for Each Common Scenario
WebP won't open in Windows
Windows fix
- Quick fix: Right-click the WebP file → Open With → Chrome or Microsoft Edge — both display WebP natively.
- Permanent fix: Go to Settings → Apps → Default Apps and set Photos as the default for WebP (requires Windows 10 version 1903 or later). Or update to Windows 11.
- Convert fix: Open Chrome, drag the WebP file into a tab, Ctrl+P → Save as PDF (not ideal for images), or use the extension to convert.
WebP won't open in Photoshop
Photoshop fix
- If you have CC 2022+: Update to the latest version — WebP support is built in.
- If you have older Photoshop: Download the free WebP plugin from developers.google.com.
- Simplest approach: Convert the WebP to PNG using the Chrome extension first, then open the PNG in Photoshop. Transparency is preserved.
WebP attachment won't display in email
Email fix
- Convert to JPG before attaching — JPG is universally supported in every email client
- For marketing emails: never embed WebP; always use JPG or PNG for images in email HTML
- Recipient can also save the attachment and open in Chrome if they receive a WebP email attachment
WebP won't work in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint
Office fix
- Desktop Office (Windows): Insert a WebP image — it may work in newer Office 365 builds (2022+). If not, convert to PNG first.
- Office for Mac: Limited WebP support. Convert to PNG for reliable insertion.
- Office Web App (online): Generally accepts WebP.
- Best practice: Always use PNG for Office documents to ensure cross-device compatibility.
The Universal Fix
For any WebP compatibility problem, the universal solution is the same: convert to JPG (for photos, screenshots, non-transparent images) or PNG (for logos, icons, transparent images). Both formats are supported everywhere.
Open WebP Files Anywhere
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Install WebP ConverterRelated Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't my computer open WebP files?
Apps that predate wide WebP adoption do not support it natively. The fix: convert the WebP file to JPG or PNG, which every app can open.
Does Windows support WebP files?
Windows 10 (version 1903, released 2019) and Windows 11 support WebP in the Photos app. Older versions do not. If your Windows can't open WebP, update Windows or convert the file to JPG/PNG.
Can Photoshop open WebP files?
Adobe Photoshop CC 2022 and later support WebP natively. Older Photoshop versions require a plugin or you must convert the file to PNG/JPG before opening.
Do email clients support WebP attachments?
Support varies. Gmail and modern email apps display WebP inline. Legacy Outlook desktop versions and some corporate clients do not. Convert to JPG before attaching for maximum compatibility.
Can I print a WebP file?
Many print services and older print software do not accept WebP. Convert to JPG or PNG before printing for maximum compatibility.
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