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

m1 chip slide

Five Years of Apple Silicon: M1 to M5 Performance Comparison

Monday November 10, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Apple silicon chip that replaced Intel chips in Apple's Mac lineup. The first Apple silicon chip, the M1, was unveiled on November 10, 2020. The M1 debuted in the MacBook Air, Mac mini, and 13-inch MacBook Pro. The M1 chip was impressive when it launched, featuring the "world's fastest CPU core" and industry-leading performance per watt, and it's only ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Available Next Month With These 8 New Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 9:48 am PST by
Apple released the first iOS 26.2 beta last week. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date....
All Screen iPhone 2027 Feature 1

Apple to Hide Selfie Camera Under Display of 20th Anniversary iPhone

Monday November 10, 2025 1:55 am PST by
Apple will conceal the front-facing camera under the screen of its 2027 iPhone, a Chinese leaker said today, corroborating reports that Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone will have no visible cutouts in the display. Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station said Apple's development of under-screen camera technology was progressing as planned for adoption in 2027, one year after it will...
iphone pocket%402x

Apple Debuts iPhone Pocket, a Limited Edition iPod Sock-Style Accessory

Tuesday November 11, 2025 1:23 am PST by
Apple has teamed up with Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE to launch iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted limited edition accessory designed to carry an iPhone, AirPods, and other everyday items. The accessory is like a stretchy pocket, not unlike an iPod Sock, but elongated to form a strap made of a ribbed, elastic textile that fully encloses an iPhone yet allows you to glimpse the display...
iphone air thinness

iPhone Air Sales Are So Bad That Apple's Delaying the Next-Generation Version

Monday November 10, 2025 11:41 am PST by
The thin, light iPhone Air sold so poorly that Apple has decided to delay the launch of the next-generation iPhone Air that was scheduled to come out alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, reports The Information. Apple initially planned to release a new iPhone Air in fall 2026, but now that's not going to happen. Since the iPhone Air launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales...
homepod mini colors

New HomePod Mini Coming Soon With These Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 7:30 am PST by
Apple is expected to announce a new HomePod mini imminently, headlining with new chips. Here are all of the new features we're expecting. The second-generation HomePod mini is highly likely to contain a more up-to-date chip for more advanced computational audio and improved responsiveness. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip from 2019. Apple is likely ...
ios 26 digital id passport wallet

Apple Announces Launch of U.S. Passport Feature in iPhone's Wallet App

Wednesday November 12, 2025 9:15 am PST by
Apple today announced that iPhone users can now create a Digital ID in the Apple Wallet app based on information from their U.S. passport. To create and present a Digital ID based on a U.S. passport, you need: An iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26.1 or later, or an Apple Watch Series 6 or later running watchOS 26.1 or later Face ID or Touch ID and Bluetooth turned on An Apple Account ...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Early Black Friday iPhone Deals

Monday November 10, 2025 10:18 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
Early Black Friday Deals 1

The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and More

Saturday November 8, 2025 6:16 am PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
apple intelligence erroneous support list

Apple Intelligence Apparently Too Smart for M1 Macs After Listing Error

Wednesday November 12, 2025 2:49 am PST by
Apple's website is causing some confusion among Mac owners, and for good reason – its device compatibility listing for Apple Intelligence appears to have dropped support for M1 Macs. The U.S. version of its Apple Intelligence webpage has been updated at the bottom to list "M2 or later" Mac models as eligible for the AI features, replacing the long-standing "M1 and later" requirement....

Top Rated Comments

3530025 Avatar
29 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
29 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
29 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
29 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
29 months ago
About time. Been waiting for image option for ages.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cthompson94 Avatar
29 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)