Quick Answer
Best methods to preserve quality when sharing: (1) AirDrop/Nearby Share for same-room transfers (zero compression), (2) USB cable for phone-to-computer (100% original), (3) Cloud storage links with original quality enabled (Google Drive, Dropbox), (4) Telegram with "send without compression" (if messaging needed), (5) Email with cloud links for large files. AVOID: WhatsApp (94% compression), Instagram/Facebook (heavy compression), iMessage (compresses large photos).
Best methods to preserve quality when sharing: (1) AirDrop/Nearby Share for same-room transfers (zero compression), (2) USB cable for phone-to-computer (100% original), (3) Cloud storage links with original quality enabled (Google Drive, Dropbox), (4) Telegram with "send without compression" (if messaging needed), (5) Email with cloud links for large files. AVOID: WhatsApp (94% compression), Instagram/Facebook (heavy compression), iMessage (compresses large photos).
Platform Comparison: Where Your Quality Goes
| Platform | Quality Preserved | Typical Compression | Max File Size | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirDrop (Apple) | 100% Original | None - direct transfer | Unlimited (local wireless) | ✓ BEST |
| Nearby Share (Android) | 100% Original | None - direct transfer | Unlimited (local wireless) | ✓ BEST |
| USB Cable | 100% Original | None - physical copy | Unlimited | ✓ BEST |
| Google Drive | 100% if "Original" selected | None with original quality | 15GB free, paid plans higher | ✓ Excellent |
| Dropbox | 100% Original | None - stores originals | 2GB free, paid unlimited | ✓ Excellent |
| iCloud Drive | 100% Original | None | 5GB free, paid more | ✓ Excellent |
| WeTransfer | 100% Original | None | 2GB free, 200GB Pro | ✓ Excellent (temp) |
| Telegram | 100% if "uncompressed" | None when sent as file | 2GB per file | ✓ Very Good |
| Email (direct attach) | Varies by provider | Some compress large files | 25MB Gmail, 20MB Outlook | ⚠ Use cloud links |
| iMessage | Compresses if >5MB | Moderate (60-80% quality) | ~100MB but compressed | ⚠ Okay for quick share |
| ~6% remaining | 94% reduction typical | 16MB (but compressed) | ✗ AVOID | |
| Instagram DM | 1080px max | Heavy JPEG compression | N/A (always compressed) | ✗ AVOID |
| Facebook Messenger | 2048px max | Heavy compression | N/A (always compressed) | ✗ AVOID |
| Snapchat | Heavily compressed | Extreme (designed for speed) | N/A | ✗ AVOID |
Reality Check:
If you're using WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat to share photos, you ARE losing quality. Period. A 5MB photo becomes 300KB on WhatsApp. Original 4000×3000 pixel photo becomes 1600×1200. No workaround exists beyond using completely different platforms.
If you're using WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat to share photos, you ARE losing quality. Period. A 5MB photo becomes 300KB on WhatsApp. Original 4000×3000 pixel photo becomes 1600×1200. No workaround exists beyond using completely different platforms.
Method 1: Local Direct Transfer (Best Quality)
1 AirDrop (iPhone/Mac)
Apple's wireless transfer - zero compression, original files.
Steps:
1. Enable AirDrop on both devices (Control Center → AirDrop → Everyone or Contacts Only)
2. Select photos in Photos app
3. Tap Share icon
4. Tap recipient's name when they appear
5. Accept on receiving device
6. Photos transferred with full quality, metadata intact
Advantages:
• 100% original quality
• Fast (local WiFi/Bluetooth)
• No file size limits
• No internet needed
• Preserves HEIC format, metadata, Live Photos
Limitations:
• Apple devices only
• Must be nearby (within ~30 feet)
• Both devices need AirDrop enabled
1. Enable AirDrop on both devices (Control Center → AirDrop → Everyone or Contacts Only)
2. Select photos in Photos app
3. Tap Share icon
4. Tap recipient's name when they appear
5. Accept on receiving device
6. Photos transferred with full quality, metadata intact
Advantages:
• 100% original quality
• Fast (local WiFi/Bluetooth)
• No file size limits
• No internet needed
• Preserves HEIC format, metadata, Live Photos
Limitations:
• Apple devices only
• Must be nearby (within ~30 feet)
• Both devices need AirDrop enabled
2 Nearby Share (Android/Windows)
Google's answer to AirDrop - lossless local transfer.
Steps:
1. Enable Nearby Share in Quick Settings (swipe down twice)
2. Select photos in Gallery
3. Tap Share → Nearby Share
4. Choose recipient when they appear
5. Accept on receiving device
6. Original files transferred
Advantages:
• 100% original quality
• Android to Android, Android to Chromebook/Windows 10+
• No internet required
• Fast local transfer
Works with:
• Android phones/tablets
• Chromebooks
• Windows 10/11 (with Nearby Share app installed)
1. Enable Nearby Share in Quick Settings (swipe down twice)
2. Select photos in Gallery
3. Tap Share → Nearby Share
4. Choose recipient when they appear
5. Accept on receiving device
6. Original files transferred
Advantages:
• 100% original quality
• Android to Android, Android to Chromebook/Windows 10+
• No internet required
• Fast local transfer
Works with:
• Android phones/tablets
• Chromebooks
• Windows 10/11 (with Nearby Share app installed)
3 USB Cable Transfer
Old-school but guaranteed lossless.
Phone to Computer:
iPhone:
1. Connect USB → Trust computer on iPhone
2. Windows: File Explorer → iPhone → Internal Storage → DCIM
3. Mac: Photos app → Import tab → Import All New Photos
4. Or Image Capture app for file-level access
5. Copy/import - exact originals
Android:
1. Connect USB
2. Swipe notification → Tap "USB" → Select "Transfer files"
3. File Explorer/Finder → Phone name → DCIM → Camera
4. Copy all files
5. Perfect quality maintained
Why USB is Best for Large Transfers:
• No compression ever
• Fast (USB 3.0 = ~100MB/s)
• No internet required
• No file size limits
• Works offline
• Reliable, no wireless interference
iPhone:
1. Connect USB → Trust computer on iPhone
2. Windows: File Explorer → iPhone → Internal Storage → DCIM
3. Mac: Photos app → Import tab → Import All New Photos
4. Or Image Capture app for file-level access
5. Copy/import - exact originals
Android:
1. Connect USB
2. Swipe notification → Tap "USB" → Select "Transfer files"
3. File Explorer/Finder → Phone name → DCIM → Camera
4. Copy all files
5. Perfect quality maintained
Why USB is Best for Large Transfers:
• No compression ever
• Fast (USB 3.0 = ~100MB/s)
• No internet required
• No file size limits
• Works offline
• Reliable, no wireless interference
Method 2: Cloud Storage with Original Quality
1 Google Drive (Original Quality Mode)
Store and share with zero compression if configured correctly.
Setup for Original Quality:
Desktop:
1. Go to drive.google.com
2. Click "New" → "File upload"
3. Select photos
4. Upload (stored as-is, no compression)
5. Right-click file → "Share" → "Copy link"
6. Share link with recipient
Mobile App:
1. Open Google Drive app
2. Tap "+" → "Upload"
3. Select photos
4. Uploads originals
5. Tap three dots → "Share" → Send link
Important:
• Google Drive ≠ Google Photos
• Google Photos has "High Quality" mode that compresses - avoid
• Google Drive stores exactly what you upload
• 15GB free storage
• Files private unless you share links
Desktop:
1. Go to drive.google.com
2. Click "New" → "File upload"
3. Select photos
4. Upload (stored as-is, no compression)
5. Right-click file → "Share" → "Copy link"
6. Share link with recipient
Mobile App:
1. Open Google Drive app
2. Tap "+" → "Upload"
3. Select photos
4. Uploads originals
5. Tap three dots → "Share" → Send link
Important:
• Google Drive ≠ Google Photos
• Google Photos has "High Quality" mode that compresses - avoid
• Google Drive stores exactly what you upload
• 15GB free storage
• Files private unless you share links
2 Dropbox
Always stores originals, never compresses.
Share via Dropbox:
1. Upload photos to Dropbox (web, desktop app, or mobile)
2. Right-click file/folder → "Share"
3. "Create link" → Copy link
4. Send link to recipient
5. They download originals
Advantages:
• Zero compression, ever
• Desktop sync keeps offline copies
• Version history (paid plans)
• 2GB free, $12/mo for 2TB
Link Options:
• Can set expiration dates
• Password protect links
• Disable downloads (view-only)
• See who accessed
1. Upload photos to Dropbox (web, desktop app, or mobile)
2. Right-click file/folder → "Share"
3. "Create link" → Copy link
4. Send link to recipient
5. They download originals
Advantages:
• Zero compression, ever
• Desktop sync keeps offline copies
• Version history (paid plans)
• 2GB free, $12/mo for 2TB
Link Options:
• Can set expiration dates
• Password protect links
• Disable downloads (view-only)
• See who accessed
3 iCloud Drive (Apple)
Native Apple cloud storage with original quality.
Share from iCloud Drive:
1. Save photos to iCloud Drive (Files app on iPhone)
2. Long-press file → "Share"
3. "Copy Link" or send via Messages/Mail
4. Recipient downloads original
Note: iCloud Photos vs iCloud Drive
• iCloud Photos: May serve optimized versions if "Optimize Storage" enabled on devices
• iCloud Drive: Always serves exact uploaded file
• For guaranteed originals, use iCloud Drive
• 5GB free, 50GB $0.99/mo, 200GB $2.99/mo, 2TB $9.99/mo
1. Save photos to iCloud Drive (Files app on iPhone)
2. Long-press file → "Share"
3. "Copy Link" or send via Messages/Mail
4. Recipient downloads original
Note: iCloud Photos vs iCloud Drive
• iCloud Photos: May serve optimized versions if "Optimize Storage" enabled on devices
• iCloud Drive: Always serves exact uploaded file
• For guaranteed originals, use iCloud Drive
• 5GB free, 50GB $0.99/mo, 200GB $2.99/mo, 2TB $9.99/mo
4 WeTransfer
Purpose-built for large file transfers, no compression.
How to Use:
1. Go to wetransfer.com
2. Click "Add your files"
3. Select photos (up to 2GB free, 200GB Pro)
4. Enter recipient's email
5. Add message (optional)
6. Click "Transfer"
7. Recipient gets download link (valid 7 days)
Advantages:
• No account needed (free version)
• Zero compression
• Simple for non-tech users
• Files deleted after 7 days (automatic cleanup)
Limitations:
• Temporary (7 days free, 28 days Pro)
• Recipient can't preview - must download
• 2GB limit (free)
1. Go to wetransfer.com
2. Click "Add your files"
3. Select photos (up to 2GB free, 200GB Pro)
4. Enter recipient's email
5. Add message (optional)
6. Click "Transfer"
7. Recipient gets download link (valid 7 days)
Advantages:
• No account needed (free version)
• Zero compression
• Simple for non-tech users
• Files deleted after 7 days (automatic cleanup)
Limitations:
• Temporary (7 days free, 28 days Pro)
• Recipient can't preview - must download
• 2GB limit (free)
Method 3: Messaging Apps (With Caveats)
1 Telegram (Best Messaging App for Quality)
Only messaging app that supports true uncompressed sharing.
Send Without Compression:
1. Open Telegram chat
2. Tap attachment icon
3. Select photos
4. Before sending: Tap three-dot menu
5. Select "Send without compression"
6. Send
7. Recipient gets full-resolution files
Alternative - Send as File:
1. Attachment icon → "File"
2. Browse to photo location
3. Select
4. Sends original file
Benefits:
• Up to 2GB per file
• No daily limits
• Fast servers
• Files stored in cloud (won't auto-delete)
• Cross-platform (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, web)
1. Open Telegram chat
2. Tap attachment icon
3. Select photos
4. Before sending: Tap three-dot menu
5. Select "Send without compression"
6. Send
7. Recipient gets full-resolution files
Alternative - Send as File:
1. Attachment icon → "File"
2. Browse to photo location
3. Select
4. Sends original file
Benefits:
• Up to 2GB per file
• No daily limits
• Fast servers
• Files stored in cloud (won't auto-delete)
• Cross-platform (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, web)
2 iMessage (Apple)
Better than WhatsApp, but still compresses large photos.
Compression Behavior:
• Photos under 5MB: Usually preserved
• Photos 5-20MB: Moderate compression
• Photos over 20MB: Heavy compression
• Video: Always heavily compressed
• Live Photos: Quality reduced
Better iMessage Method:
1. Save photos to iCloud Drive first
2. In iMessage, tap "+" → Files app
3. Attach file from iCloud Drive
4. Sends as attachment (better quality than photo picker)
5. Still not perfect - use AirDrop for same-room transfers
• Photos under 5MB: Usually preserved
• Photos 5-20MB: Moderate compression
• Photos over 20MB: Heavy compression
• Video: Always heavily compressed
• Live Photos: Quality reduced
Better iMessage Method:
1. Save photos to iCloud Drive first
2. In iMessage, tap "+" → Files app
3. Attach file from iCloud Drive
4. Sends as attachment (better quality than photo picker)
5. Still not perfect - use AirDrop for same-room transfers
3 WhatsApp Document Method
Workaround to bypass compression, but clunky.
Steps:
1. Tap attachment icon (📎)
2. Select "Document" (NOT Gallery/Photo)
3. Browse files on phone
4. Navigate to DCIM/Camera folder
5. Select photo files
6. Send as documents
7. Recipient taps to download full quality
Limitations:
• No preview before download
• No auto-save to photos
• Recipient must manually download each
• 100MB limit per file
• Better to just use Telegram
1. Tap attachment icon (📎)
2. Select "Document" (NOT Gallery/Photo)
3. Browse files on phone
4. Navigate to DCIM/Camera folder
5. Select photo files
6. Send as documents
7. Recipient taps to download full quality
Limitations:
• No preview before download
• No auto-save to photos
• Recipient must manually download each
• 100MB limit per file
• Better to just use Telegram
See detailed guide: Why WhatsApp Reduces Image Quality
Method 4: Email (Smart Approach)
Email Best Practices for Photos
Email Attachment Limits:
• Gmail: 25MB total (all attachments combined)
• Outlook: 20MB total
• Yahoo: 25MB
• iCloud Mail: 20MB
• Many corporate email: 10MB
5 high-res photos = ~25-50MB = Over limit
• Gmail: 25MB total (all attachments combined)
• Outlook: 20MB total
• Yahoo: 25MB
• iCloud Mail: 20MB
• Many corporate email: 10MB
5 high-res photos = ~25-50MB = Over limit
Strategy 1: Cloud Links (Best)
1. Upload photos to Google Drive/Dropbox/OneDrive
2. Get shareable link
3. Email just the link
4. Recipient downloads originals from cloud
5. No size limits, no compression
Strategy 2: ZIP Compression (Not Ideal)
1. Select photos on computer
2. Right-click → "Compress" (Mac) or "Send to → Compressed folder" (Windows)
3. Creates .zip file
4. Attach to email
5. Reduces file size ~10-30% (lossless compression)
6. Still subject to email size limits
Strategy 3: Gmail Drive Integration
• If attachments exceed 25MB, Gmail automatically uploads to Google Drive
• Sends Drive link instead
• Recipient needs Google account
• Originals preserved
1. Upload photos to Google Drive/Dropbox/OneDrive
2. Get shareable link
3. Email just the link
4. Recipient downloads originals from cloud
5. No size limits, no compression
Strategy 2: ZIP Compression (Not Ideal)
1. Select photos on computer
2. Right-click → "Compress" (Mac) or "Send to → Compressed folder" (Windows)
3. Creates .zip file
4. Attach to email
5. Reduces file size ~10-30% (lossless compression)
6. Still subject to email size limits
Strategy 3: Gmail Drive Integration
• If attachments exceed 25MB, Gmail automatically uploads to Google Drive
• Sends Drive link instead
• Recipient needs Google account
• Originals preserved
Sharing Scenarios: Best Method for Each
| Scenario | Best Method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone to iPhone (same room) | AirDrop | Instant, zero compression, no setup |
| Android to Android (same room) | Nearby Share | Direct transfer, original quality |
| Phone to Computer | USB Cable | Fastest for bulk transfers, guaranteed quality |
| Phone to Computer (wireless) | Google Drive/Dropbox Upload | Wireless convenience, originals preserved |
| Sharing with non-tech family | WeTransfer | Simple download link, no account needed |
| Sharing with tech-savvy friends | Telegram uncompressed | Fast, messaging convenience, original quality |
| Professional photography delivery | Dropbox/Google Drive folder | Organized, batch download, client-friendly |
| Wedding photos to guests | Google Photos shared album (original quality) | Collaborative, everyone can add, easy access |
| Temporary large file transfer | WeTransfer | No permanent storage needed, simple |
| Regular backup to computer | USB Cable + Photo Manager | Reliable, organized, local control |
Advanced: Preserve Metadata
Many sharing methods strip photo metadata (date taken, location, camera settings). To preserve:
Methods That Preserve Metadata:
✓ USB cable transfer (always preserves)
✓ AirDrop (preserves all metadata)
✓ Dropbox/Google Drive upload (preserves EXIF)
✓ Telegram as file (mostly preserves)
✓ WeTransfer (preserves)
Methods That Strip Metadata:
✗ WhatsApp (removes GPS, camera info)
✗ Instagram DM (removes all metadata)
✗ Facebook Messenger (removes location)
✗ Twitter DM (strips most metadata)
✗ Email (some providers strip location for privacy)
Check Metadata:
• Windows: Right-click → Properties → Details tab
• Mac: Get Info (Cmd+I) → More Info section
• iPhone: Photo → Info (ⓘ) button
• Look for: Date taken, GPS coordinates, camera model, aperture, ISO
✓ USB cable transfer (always preserves)
✓ AirDrop (preserves all metadata)
✓ Dropbox/Google Drive upload (preserves EXIF)
✓ Telegram as file (mostly preserves)
✓ WeTransfer (preserves)
Methods That Strip Metadata:
✗ WhatsApp (removes GPS, camera info)
✗ Instagram DM (removes all metadata)
✗ Facebook Messenger (removes location)
✗ Twitter DM (strips most metadata)
✗ Email (some providers strip location for privacy)
Check Metadata:
• Windows: Right-click → Properties → Details tab
• Mac: Get Info (Cmd+I) → More Info section
• iPhone: Photo → Info (ⓘ) button
• Look for: Date taken, GPS coordinates, camera model, aperture, ISO
Common Mistakes That Reduce Quality
| Mistake | Impact | Better Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Using WhatsApp for important photos | 94% reduction (5MB → 300KB) | Use Telegram uncompressed or Google Drive |
| Screenshotting photos to send | Limited to screen resolution, lossy PNG/JPEG | Send original files directly |
| Emailing photos as attachments | Hit size limits, some providers compress | Upload to cloud, email link instead |
| Uploading to Instagram then downloading | 1080px max, heavy compression | Keep originals, never rely on social media |
| Using "Optimize iPhone Storage" | Local copies replaced with low-res versions | Download originals before sharing |
| Google Photos "High Quality" mode | Compresses to 16MP, JPEG artifacts | Use "Original Quality" setting |
| Sharing edited screenshots from photo apps | Re-compression on top of edits | Export full resolution from editor |
Quality Checklist Before Sharing
Pre-Share Verification:
1. Check Source Quality
☐ Do you have original files (not screenshots or downloads)?
☐ Are originals on your device (not optimized/compressed cloud versions)?
☐ Check file size - should be several MB for photos
2. Choose Right Platform
☐ Same room? → AirDrop/Nearby Share
☐ Phone to computer? → USB cable
☐ Remote sharing? → Google Drive/Dropbox link
☐ Messaging necessary? → Telegram uncompressed
☐ Avoid: WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook for quality-critical photos
3. Configure Platform Settings
☐ Cloud storage: "Original quality" enabled
☐ Telegram: "Send without compression" selected
☐ WhatsApp: Must use "Document" method (or avoid entirely)
☐ Email: Use cloud link for files over 10MB
4. Verify After Sharing
☐ Ask recipient to check file size
☐ Compare dimensions (original 4000×3000 vs received)
☐ Spot-check quality by zooming to 100%
☐ Verify metadata preserved (if important)
1. Check Source Quality
☐ Do you have original files (not screenshots or downloads)?
☐ Are originals on your device (not optimized/compressed cloud versions)?
☐ Check file size - should be several MB for photos
2. Choose Right Platform
☐ Same room? → AirDrop/Nearby Share
☐ Phone to computer? → USB cable
☐ Remote sharing? → Google Drive/Dropbox link
☐ Messaging necessary? → Telegram uncompressed
☐ Avoid: WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook for quality-critical photos
3. Configure Platform Settings
☐ Cloud storage: "Original quality" enabled
☐ Telegram: "Send without compression" selected
☐ WhatsApp: Must use "Document" method (or avoid entirely)
☐ Email: Use cloud link for files over 10MB
4. Verify After Sharing
☐ Ask recipient to check file size
☐ Compare dimensions (original 4000×3000 vs received)
☐ Spot-check quality by zooming to 100%
☐ Verify metadata preserved (if important)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the absolute best way to share photos without any quality loss?
For same-room sharing: AirDrop (iPhone) or Nearby Share (Android) - zero compression, instant, wireless. For remote sharing: Upload to Google Drive/Dropbox, send download link - originals preserved, works cross-platform. For phone-to-computer: USB cable - fastest, most reliable.
Can I use WhatsApp without losing quality?
Barely. Use "Send as Document" method (attach from file picker, not gallery). But this is clunky - no preview, manual downloads, 100MB limit. Realistically, switch to Telegram for quality-critical photos. Telegram has "send without compression" that actually works seamlessly. See: Why WhatsApp Reduces Image Quality
Does Google Photos compress photos?
Depends on setting. "High Quality" (free unlimited) compresses to 16MP with JPEG artifacts. "Original Quality" (uses storage quota) preserves exact files. If sharing from Google Photos, verify "Original Quality" was used for upload. Better: use Google Drive (never compresses) for important photo sharing.
Why do my iPhone photos look bad after emailing?
Two reasons: (1) If photos are large, you likely hit attachment limit and email provider compressed them, (2) If "Optimize iPhone Storage" is enabled, iOS may send lower-resolution versions. Fix: Upload photos to iCloud Drive first, ensure originals downloaded, then share Drive link via email instead of attaching.
How do I know if shared photos retained quality?
Compare file sizes - original 5MB should arrive as ~5MB (slight variation okay). Check dimensions (right-click → Properties) - 4000×3000 should stay 4000×3000. Open and zoom to 100% in photo viewer - should be sharp, no blockiness. If drastically smaller file or dimensions reduced, quality was lost.
Platform Decision Flowchart
Choose Your Sharing Method:
Start here: Are you in the same room as recipient?
- YES: Same room
- → Both have iPhones? → AirDrop ✓
- → Both have Android? → Nearby Share ✓
- → Phone to Computer? → USB Cable ✓
- → Mixed devices? → Nearby Share (Android/Windows) or USB
- NO: Remote sharing
- → Recipient tech-savvy? → Telegram uncompressed ✓
- → Recipient not tech-savvy? → WeTransfer link ✓
- → Many photos / long-term access? → Google Drive shared folder ✓
- → Professional delivery? → Dropbox ✓
- → Emergency / already messaging? → Telegram as file or WhatsApp as document
Avoid entirely for quality-critical photos:
- ❌ WhatsApp (regular photo send) - 94% compression
- ❌ Instagram DM - 1080px max + heavy compression
- ❌ Facebook Messenger - 2048px max + compression
- ❌ Snapchat - extreme compression
- ❌ Email attachments (large files) - hit limits + potential compression
Best Practices Summary
Golden Rules for Quality Preservation:
1. Use the Right Tool for the Job
• Same room = AirDrop/Nearby Share/USB
• Remote = Cloud storage links (Google Drive, Dropbox)
• Messaging = Telegram uncompressed only
2. Verify Settings
• Cloud uploads: Always "Original Quality"
• Telegram: Always "Send without compression"
• WhatsApp: Avoid or use "Document" method
3. Check Before Sending
• Confirm you have originals (not optimized versions)
• Verify file sizes are substantial (several MB)
• Ensure metadata present if needed
4. Confirm After Sharing
• Ask recipient to verify file size matches
• Spot-check quality by opening and zooming
• Compare dimensions to originals
5. Educate Recipients
• Tell them you're sending full quality
• Warn about large download sizes
• Provide clear download instructions
• Ask them not to re-share via compression platforms
1. Use the Right Tool for the Job
• Same room = AirDrop/Nearby Share/USB
• Remote = Cloud storage links (Google Drive, Dropbox)
• Messaging = Telegram uncompressed only
2. Verify Settings
• Cloud uploads: Always "Original Quality"
• Telegram: Always "Send without compression"
• WhatsApp: Avoid or use "Document" method
3. Check Before Sending
• Confirm you have originals (not optimized versions)
• Verify file sizes are substantial (several MB)
• Ensure metadata present if needed
4. Confirm After Sharing
• Ask recipient to verify file size matches
• Spot-check quality by opening and zooming
• Compare dimensions to originals
5. Educate Recipients
• Tell them you're sending full quality
• Warn about large download sizes
• Provide clear download instructions
• Ask them not to re-share via compression platforms