WebP has been well supported in web browsers for several years, which can create the false impression that it is universally supported everywhere else too. Plenty of design, photo editing and document software — particularly older versions that have not been updated since before WebP became common — simply do not recognise the format at all, and will refuse to open a WebP file or show an error rather than the image.
Why this happens
Support for a relatively newer image format like WebP has to be specifically built into a piece of software, and that support was added to different applications at different times. A version of Photoshop, an older photo management tool, or a piece of specialised software that has not been updated since before that support was added simply has no code path for handling a WebP file, and will not recognise it any more than it would recognise a completely unrelated file type.
The quick fix
- Convert the WebP file to a universally supported format — WebP to JPG or WebP to PNG, depending on whether you need transparency preserved.
- Open the converted file in your older software as normal.
JPG and PNG have been supported by essentially every piece of image software for decades, making either a safe, universal fallback whenever a newer format like WebP causes a compatibility problem.
Choosing between JPG and PNG for the fallback
Use PNG if the WebP file has a transparent background you need to keep, following the guidance in our guide to converting WebP to PNG without losing transparency. Use JPG if there is no transparency to preserve and a smaller file size is more useful for your purpose.
Updating your software as a longer-term fix
If you find yourself hitting this compatibility issue repeatedly, it is worth checking whether an update is available for the specific software involved, since most current versions of major design and editing tools do now support WebP directly. An update removes the need for this conversion step going forward, though converting remains a reliable immediate fix whenever an update is not practical or possible.
Why this is more common with WebP than with other formats right now
WebP is a comparatively newer format, and its adoption curve across different software has been uneven — web browsers adopted it quickly since it directly benefits web performance, while some categories of desktop software, particularly ones with long release cycles or where users often run older versions for compatibility reasons of their own, have been slower to add support. This gap is likely to close over time, but it remains a real, practical issue in the meantime.
Checking compatibility before it becomes a problem
If you regularly share images with someone using older or specialised software, it is worth checking their specific compatibility upfront rather than discovering the problem after sending a file that will not open. Where compatibility is uncertain, defaulting to JPG or PNG for anything you send to that person avoids the issue entirely.
What this means for choosing WebP as your own working format
This compatibility gap does not mean WebP is a poor choice generally — for its main strengths, a smaller file size for web use, it remains an excellent choice, and browser support is excellent and has been for years. The practical lesson is simply to keep a JPG or PNG version available specifically for sharing with software or people where WebP compatibility is uncertain, rather than assuming WebP works everywhere just because it works reliably in a browser.
Working around the compatibility gap
If you're stuck needing to open a WebP file in software that genuinely doesn't support it, converting it to a more universally supported format like PNG or JPG first, using WebP to PNG, sidesteps the issue entirely without needing to update or replace the software itself. This is generally the fastest practical fix if updating your software isn't an option right now.
Checking your software's current WebP support before assuming it's missing
Some older software gained WebP support in a later update, so before assuming the format simply isn't supported, check whether an available software update might resolve the issue directly. If an update is available and reasonably quick to apply, it's often a better long-term fix than repeatedly converting WebP files to a different format every time you need to work with one.
Communicating format requirements to collaborators
If you regularly share WebP files with others, a brief heads-up about the format and a fallback option if they run into trouble saves a confused back-and-forth later. Not everyone you work with will have equally current software, and a little proactive communication avoids the issue becoming a surprise for them.
Frequently asked questions
Which software versions typically do not support WebP?
Generally, software that has not been updated in several years, though the exact cutoff varies by specific application; check your software's own documentation or update history if unsure.
Is there a way to make old software support WebP without converting the file?
Occasionally a plugin or extension exists for specific software to add WebP support, though converting the file to a universally supported format is usually simpler and more reliable.
Will converting WebP to JPG or PNG lose quality?
A small amount is possible depending on settings, though generally not noticeable at typical viewing sizes for everyday use.
Does this compatibility issue affect viewing WebP images, or only editing them?
Both, depending on the specific software; some older programs cannot even display a WebP file, let alone edit it.
Should I avoid using WebP if I might need to open files in older software later?
Not necessarily — keep both a WebP version for its performance benefits and a JPG or PNG fallback for situations where compatibility matters, rather than avoiding the format entirely.
Is browser support for WebP also inconsistent?
No, all current major browsers support WebP reliably; this compatibility gap is specifically about older desktop software, not browsers.
Is the conversion tool free and private?
Yes. No sign-up, no watermark, and files are removed from the server automatically about an hour after processing.