WhatsApp Gets 'HD Photos' Option for Sending High-Res Images

WhatsApp has released an update allowing iPhone and Android users to send photos over the messaging platform in high resolution, finally addressing the service's low quality image sharing limitation.

whatsapp hd photos
Previously, WhatsApp users sending photos would see the images automatically compressed and the resolution reduced to 920 x 1280 to save storage space and keep image-sharing fast over low bandwidth data connections.

After updating, they'll have the option to send images to friends and family in "HD quality," which equates to 3024 x 4032 resolution. The rollout of the feature was announced by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg via a Facebook post.

Version 23.16.0 of the app adds a "HD" button at the top of the photo sharing screen, next to the other image editing tools. Tapping the HD button brings up a pop-up allowing users to switch from the default Standard Quality to HD Quality.

Recipients of HD photos will see a HD label in the corner of the image, indicating that they have received a higher quality version, and all high resolution images are protected under WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption.

According to Meta, if a user's internet connection is low bandwidth, they will receive photos in Standard Quality, and will be able to choose to keep the standard version or upgrade it to HD where available.

The new feature is rolling out globally over the next few weeks, and Meta says the ability to send high resolution videos over WhatsApp is set to follow soon.

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...

Top Rated Comments

3530025 Avatar
33 months ago
Also who actually believes the WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption nowadays?

Meta = WhatsApp = Facebook = Zuckerberg.

It's hard to imagine "privacy" in this equation.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H2SO4 Avatar
33 months ago

Also who actually believes the WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption nowadays?

Meta = WhatsApp = Facebook = Zuckerberg.

It's hard to imagine "privacy" in this equation.
I do.
If you have any evidence outside of hearsay and intuition, pls share with us.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3530025 Avatar
33 months ago

"HD quality," which equates to 3024 x 4032 resolution.
Better than nothing I guess, but still quite low resolution in 2023. And also it's not just about the resolution - what about compression ratio?

12MP is nice, but if it's with some nice JPG artifacts then it suddenly is not much of a HD quality...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frumpywumpy Avatar
33 months ago

Also who actually believes the WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption nowadays?

Meta = WhatsApp = Facebook = Zuckerberg.

It's hard to imagine "privacy" in this equation.
Signal is still my go to
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H2SO4 Avatar
33 months ago
About time. Been waiting for image option for ages.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cthompson94 Avatar
33 months ago
This is part of the reason people love iMessage. I am glad Whats App users can now send HD quality images, but I always found it funny even here in the forums when people would make comments like "I use Whats App I don't understand the iMessage vs everything else argument", because although iMessage does lack in some features that other message platforms have it wins in the basic modern times features people actually want. Friends and family that send me videos/photos through other means get so compressed, again I am glad that those who use Whats App gain this capability
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)