SPACEBACK · PRACTICAL COMPRESSION
Choose the right smaller photo copy
A smaller photo is useful only if it still works for its destination. Start by deciding whether the copy is for a chat, a webpage, a document or printing. Keep an original for editing and important memories. Guide maintained by SpaceBack; updated October 6, 2026.
Dimensions and compression solve different problems
Reducing dimensions removes pixels. Re-encoding changes how those pixels are stored. SpaceBack’s balanced mode caps the longest side at 2560 pixels and never enlarges a smaller source. Detail mode keeps source dimensions, but it still uses lossy encoding: unchanged dimensions do not mean unchanged quality.
For example, a 4032 × 3024 photo becomes 2560 × 1920 in balanced mode. That is a dimensions calculation, not a promise about file size. A 1200 × 800 image keeps its dimensions. For printing, follow the printer’s pixel requirements and work from the original when possible.
Choose a supported source
JPEG, PNG and still WebP files are supported, up to 50 MB and 40 megapixels. JPEG sources are exported as JPEG. PNG and WebP sources are exported as WebP when the browser supports it; a browser may fall back to PNG. For a transparent logo, inspect its edges against both light and dark backgrounds after saving.
HEIC, RAW and animated images are not supported. Export a compatible still copy from your photo application first. Do not rename a .heic file to .jpg: changing the extension does not convert the image. If your destination does not accept WebP, use a compatible format from your original photo application.
Compare what matters
- Choose one photo and compress it. Start with the mode appropriate to the destination.
- Compare faces, hair, fine print and high-contrast edges at the same display size. Zoom in when the image contains text that must remain readable.
- Check gradients for bands and thin lines for softness. Color and metadata may change during browser processing.
- Download the copy and open the saved file in the application where you plan to use it. Check transparency and orientation there too.
If the new encoding is not smaller, SpaceBack keeps the original bytes and does not count it as a successful smaller export. Try a different source instead of repeatedly recompressing the same copy.
Saving on a phone
After Download, look in your browser’s downloads list or the Files app. A downloaded file may not automatically appear in Photos. Open it and use the system share or save option when your device provides one. Confirm the saved file opens before closing the SpaceBack tab.
Downloading initially adds another file. SpaceBack does not delete originals, clear your library or find duplicates. Only remove anything after you have verified the saved copy and backed up irreplaceable originals.