To save images without compression: (1) From websites: right-click → "Save image as" (but may get compressed version - inspect element for original URL), (2) From apps: use "Save original" or "Document" mode, (3) From devices: copy via USB cable or AirDrop, (4) Choose PNG format for lossless web images, (5) Use wget/curl for direct downloads bypassing browser processing.
Why Image Compression Happens
When saving images, compression can occur at several stages:
- Websites: Serve compressed versions for faster loading (original may be higher quality)
- Browsers: Some auto-convert or compress on save (rare, but possible)
- Social media: Always compresses before serving (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
- Messaging apps: Compress heavily to save bandwidth (WhatsApp, iMessage)
- Photo editors: Default JPEG quality settings may reduce quality on save
- File format: JPEG is lossy; each save further degrades quality
Best Formats for Lossless Saving
| Format | Compression | Best For | File Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNG | Lossless | Graphics, screenshots, text, transparency | Large (2-10MB typical) |
| TIFF | None (or lossless) | Professional photography, archival | Very large (10-50MB) |
| BMP | None | Windows applications, raw data | Huge (20-100MB) |
| WebP (lossless) | Lossless mode available | Modern web, smaller than PNG | Medium (30% smaller than PNG) |
| HEIC/HEIF | Efficient lossless option | iPhone photos, Apple ecosystem | Small (50% of JPG) |
| RAW (DNG, CR2, NEF) | None | Professional photography | Massive (25-80MB per photo) |
| JPEG | Lossy (avoid for lossless) | Photos for web/sharing (not archival) | Small (1-5MB) |
JPEG is ALWAYS lossy. Even at 100% quality, it still compresses and loses some data. Each time you open, edit, and save a JPEG, quality degrades further ("generation loss"). For archival or repeated editing, use PNG or TIFF.
Method 1: Save Images from Websites (Original Quality)
1 Right-Click Save (Basic Method)
Standard method, but often gets compressed thumbnail instead of original.
1. Right-click image on webpage
2. Select "Save image as..." (Chrome/Firefox) or "Save Image" (Safari)
3. Choose save location
4. Save
Limitations:
• May save display version (compressed for web)
• Original full-res version may not be accessible this way
• Social media images ALWAYS compressed via right-click
Check If You Got Original:
- Right-click saved file → Properties → Check file size
- If under 500KB for a photo, likely compressed
- Open and zoom to 100% - if pixelated, not original quality
2 Inspect Element for Original URL (Advanced)
Find actual full-resolution image URL that browser loaded.
1. Right-click image → "Inspect"
2. Highlighted
<img> tag in DevTools3. Look for
src="..." attribute4. Right-click the URL → "Open in new tab"
5. Full image opens (often higher resolution)
6. Right-click → "Save image as"
Alternative - Network Tab:
1. F12 to open DevTools
2. Network tab
3. Refresh page (Ctrl+R)
4. Filter by "Img"
5. Find image (look at preview thumbnails)
6. Right-click → "Open in new tab"
7. Save original
Example: Instagram shows 1080px image via right-click, but original 4000px version exists at different URL. Inspect element reveals full URL.
• Instagram: Remove
/s1080x1080/ from URL• Many sites: Remove
_thumb, _small, _preview from filename• Replace
w=600 with w=2000 or remove size parameter entirely• Change
/medium/ to /large/ or /original/ in URL path
3 Browser Extensions for Original Images
Tools that automatically find and download highest quality version.
Recommended Extensions:
- Image Downloader: Extracts all images from page, shows original URLs
- Maxurl: Automatically finds maximum resolution version of images
- Download All Images: Batch downloads with filtering by size/type
- Imagus: Hover to preview, finds originals, quick save
4 Command Line (wget/curl)
Download directly bypassing browser processing.
wget -O photo.jpg "https://example.com/image.jpg"curl:
curl -o photo.jpg "https://example.com/image.jpg"Benefits:
• Exact byte-for-byte download
• No browser interference
• Good for batch downloads
• Can automate with scripts
Method 2: Save from Social Media (Limited Quality)
Social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok) compress ALL uploaded images. There is NO way to download "original uncompressed" versions because originals aren't stored/served publicly. You can only get what they serve, which is already compressed.
Maximum quality available: 1080×1080 pixels (posts), 1080×1920 (stories)
- Right-click method: Often blocked
- Inspect element: Find
<img>tag, copysrcURL - Third-party downloaders: DownloadGram, Inflact (still 1080px max)
- Original uploader: Ask for original file directly
Maximum: ~2048px longest edge (varies)
- Open photo in new tab
- Click to enlarge fully
- In URL, change
/s1080x1080/to/s0x0/or remove size parameter - May reveal slightly higher resolution
- Still heavily compressed by Facebook
Maximum: 4096×4096 pixels, but heavily compressed
- Open image, right-click, "Open image in new tab"
- URL ends with
?format=jpg&name=medium - Change to
?format=jpg&name=origor&name=4096x4096 - Saves largest available version
Method 3: Save from Devices Without Compression
1 USB Cable Transfer
100% lossless - exact copy of files
1. Connect with USB
2. Trust computer on iPhone
3. Windows: File Explorer → iPhone → DCIM
4. Mac: Photos app → Import → Import All New Photos
5. Or Image Capture app for direct file access
6. Copy/import - originals transferred
Android to Computer:
1. Connect USB
2. Select "Transfer files" on phone notification
3. File Explorer/Finder → Phone → DCIM → Camera
4. Copy all files - zero compression
2 AirDrop/Nearby Share
Wireless transfer preserving original quality
- AirDrop (Apple): Transfers original files, no compression
- Nearby Share (Android): Direct local transfer, no quality loss
- Much better than emailing/messaging photos
Method 4: Save from Apps Without Compression
WhatsApp - Send as Document
Bypass photo compression:
- Attachment icon → Document (not Gallery)
- Browse to photo location
- Send
- Recipient taps to download - full quality
Telegram - Uncompressed Option
Best messaging app for quality:
- Select photos to send
- Before sending: Three-dot menu → "Send without compression"
- Or attach as file
- Up to 2GB per file supported
Method 5: Screenshots (When Necessary)
Sometimes screenshotting is only option (protected content, streaming), but it captures screen resolution only.
• Maximum resolution = your screen resolution (typically 1920×1080 or 2560×1440)
• Loses all metadata (date, location, camera info)
• May introduce compression artifacts
• Not true original - just what your screen displayed
• Use as last resort only
Better Screenshot Practices
- View at 100%: Zoom source image to actual size first
- Use PNG: Save screenshot as PNG (lossless), not JPEG
- High-res display: 4K monitors capture more detail
- Screenshot tool with PNG: Snipping Tool (PNG), ShareX, LightShot
- Avoid JPEG: Never save screenshots as JPEG (double compression)
Photo Editing Without Quality Loss
When editing, preserve quality by:
1. Work with Originals
• Always edit copies, keep original untouched
• Work from highest quality source available
2. Use Lossless Formats During Editing
• Open JPEG → convert to PNG/TIFF for editing
• Edit in PNG format
• Export final version (can be JPEG for sharing, but keep PNG master)
3. Save at Maximum Quality
• Photoshop: Save as PSD (native lossless), export JPEG at Quality 12
• GIMP: Export PNG at maximum compression (still lossless), or JPEG at 100%
• Lightroom: Export at 100% quality
4. Avoid Re-Saving JPEGs
• Each save degrades quality further
• One edit session → one save
• Multiple edits needed? Work in TIFF/PNG until final export
Batch Saving Without Compression
Download Entire Website's Images
Tools for bulk downloading:
HTTrack (Free):
- Downloads entire websites including all images
- Preserves original files exactly
- Windows/Mac/Linux
wget (Command Line):
wget -r -l 1 -H -t 1 -nd -N -np -A jpg,jpeg,png -erobots=off https://example.com/gallery
- Downloads all images from URL
- Preserves originals
Bulk Image Downloader (Chrome Extension):
- Scans page for all images
- Shows sizes, lets you filter
- Downloads originals
Verifying Lossless Save
Check if you saved without compression:
1. Check File Format
• PNG, TIFF, BMP = Lossless (good)
• JPEG, WebP = Likely compressed
• Check file extension
2. Compare File Sizes
• Original: 5MB JPEG
• Saved PNG: 15MB → correct (PNG larger but lossless)
• Saved JPEG: 2MB → recompressed (quality lost)
3. Pixel-Level Comparison
• Open both in image viewer
• Zoom to 200-400%
• Compare details - should be identical
• JPEG artifacts (blockiness) indicate compression
4. Use Comparison Tools
• Beyond Compare (Windows)
• DiffMerge (Mac/Windows)
• ImageMagick:
compare original.png saved.png diff.png• Should show zero/minimal differences if lossless
Common Mistakes That Cause Compression
| Mistake | Result | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Taking screenshot instead of saving | Limited to screen resolution, metadata lost | Use right-click save or inspect element |
| Saving JPEG at <100% quality | Unnecessary compression | Always 100% quality, or use PNG |
| Re-saving JPEG multiple times | Generation loss, progressive degradation | Edit once, save once; use PNG for work files |
| Using "Save for Web" in Photoshop | Optimized/compressed version | Use "Save As" → PNG/TIFF for archival |
| Emailing photos | Some email apps compress automatically | Use cloud links or USB transfer |
| Uploading to social media then downloading | Platform compression applied | Keep originals, never rely on social media |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PNG always lossless?
Yes, PNG is always lossless. The "compression level" setting only affects file size (1=large file/fast, 9=smaller file/slow), not quality. All PNG compression is 100% lossless - the decompressed image is bit-for-bit identical to original.
Can I convert JPEG to PNG to make it lossless?
No. Once saved as JPEG, quality is already lost. Converting JPEG→PNG prevents FURTHER loss but doesn't recover what's already gone. It's like making a photocopy of a photocopy - switching to better paper doesn't improve the degraded image. Always keep originals in lossless format from the start.
What's the best format for archiving photos long-term?
TIFF or PNG for archival. TIFF preferred by professionals (uncompressed or lossless LZW compression), widely supported, preserves all data. PNG good too (smaller files, universal support). Avoid JPEG for archival - each opening may trigger re-saving and further loss. For camera originals, keep RAW files (NEF, CR2, DNG).
Why is my saved image smaller than the original file size?
Two scenarios: (1) You saved compressed version (bad) - check if you got thumbnail instead of original, (2) You converted from inefficient to efficient format (okay) - e.g., BMP to PNG reduces size while staying lossless. Compare visually at 100% zoom to verify quality preserved.
Can I save Instagram photos in original quality?
No. Instagram compresses all uploads to 1080×1920 max resolution with heavy JPEG compression. Originals are not publicly accessible. Best you can get is 1080px version via inspect element or third-party downloaders. For original, ask uploader to send directly via email/cloud storage.
Best Practices Summary
When Saving from Web:
✓ Try right-click save first
✓ If small file, use inspect element for original URL
✓ Check file size after saving (should be substantial)
✓ Verify quality by zooming to 100%
When Saving from Devices:
✓ Use USB cable for guaranteed quality
✓ AirDrop/Nearby Share for wireless lossless transfer
✓ Never use messaging apps for important photos
✓ Cloud storage: ensure "original quality" selected
When Editing:
✓ Always keep original untouched
✓ Edit copies in PNG/TIFF format
✓ Save once at maximum quality
✓ Avoid re-saving JPEGs multiple times
For Archival:
✓ Use PNG or TIFF format
✓ Keep multiple backups in different locations
✓ Verify file integrity periodically
✓ Document original source and date saved