5 Reasons Why You Might Need to Convert AVIF to JPG

AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is a modern image format that offers impressive compression efficiency and image quality. However, despite its technical advantages, there are several situations where converting AVIF to the more widely supported JPG format becomes necessary. In this article, we'll explore the top five reasons why you might need to convert your AVIF images to JPG.

1. Compatibility with Older Browsers and Devices

The most common reason to convert AVIF to JPG is compatibility. While AVIF support has been growing, it's still not universally supported across all platforms and devices.

Browser Support Limitations

As of 2025, AVIF is supported in Chrome, Firefox, and Opera browsers, but support in Safari is limited and many older browser versions don't support it at all. If your audience includes users with older browsers or devices, they may not be able to view AVIF images.

Operating System and Application Support

Many operating systems and applications still don't have native support for AVIF. Default image viewers on Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions may not open AVIF files without additional plugins or updates. Converting to JPG ensures that your images can be viewed on virtually any device or application.

For example, if you're sending images to clients or colleagues who may be using older software, converting to JPG eliminates the frustration of them not being able to open your files.

2. Software Editing Compatibility

Another major reason to convert AVIF to JPG is for editing purposes. Many image editing applications still don't fully support AVIF files.

Limited Support in Popular Editing Software

While some newer versions of professional image editing software like Adobe Photoshop have added AVIF support, many other editing tools haven't caught up yet. Even in applications that do support AVIF, the implementation may be limited or buggy compared to their handling of established formats like JPG.

If you need to edit an AVIF image in software that doesn't support the format, converting to JPG allows you to make the necessary changes. While there might be some quality loss in the conversion, it's often a necessary compromise for workflow compatibility.

Plugin and Extension Limitations

Many plugins, extensions, and filters for image editing software are designed to work with traditional formats like JPG and PNG. These tools may not function correctly with AVIF files, limiting your editing capabilities. Converting to JPG opens up the full range of editing tools and effects available in your software.

3. Social Media and Platform Requirements

Social media platforms and content management systems often have specific requirements for image uploads, and many still don't accept AVIF files.

Social Media Platform Limitations

Most major social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn don't support AVIF uploads. If you try to upload an AVIF file, you'll likely encounter an error message or the upload will simply fail. Converting your AVIF images to JPG ensures they can be shared across all social platforms.

Content Management Systems

Many content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Shopify, and Wix have limited or no support for AVIF uploads. While some may allow AVIF files, they might not process them correctly for responsive images or thumbnails. Converting to JPG ensures your images will work properly within these systems.

This is particularly important for e-commerce websites, where product images need to display correctly across various devices and in different sizes. JPG's universal compatibility makes it a safer choice for these applications.

4. Printing Requirements

If you need to print your images, converting from AVIF to JPG is often necessary due to limitations in printing software and services.

Print Service Compatibility

Most professional printing services and photo labs accept a limited range of file formats, typically including JPG, TIFF, and sometimes PNG. Very few currently accept AVIF files. If you want to print your photos or include images in printed materials, converting to JPG is usually required.

Home and Office Printing

Similarly, home and office printers and their associated software typically don't support AVIF files. Even if your printer is capable of handling high-quality images, it likely won't be able to process AVIF files directly. Converting to JPG ensures compatibility with virtually all printing devices and software.

For printing purposes, it's recommended to convert AVIF to JPG at the highest quality setting to minimize any loss in print quality. While JPG is a lossy format, high-quality JPGs can still produce excellent prints, especially when starting from a high-quality AVIF source.

5. Email and File Size Considerations

While AVIF typically produces smaller file sizes than JPG at the same quality level, there are still scenarios where converting to JPG makes sense from a file size and sharing perspective.

Email Attachment Compatibility

When sending images via email, the recipient needs to be able to view the attachments without additional software. Since most email clients don't natively support AVIF previews, recipients would need to download the files and open them in compatible software. Converting to JPG ensures that your email recipients can preview and open the images directly in their email client.

Balancing Quality and Compatibility

In some cases, you might need to balance file size, quality, and compatibility. While AVIF excels at compression, a moderately compressed JPG might be "good enough" for many purposes while offering much broader compatibility. This is especially true for images where absolute maximum quality isn't critical, such as casual photos shared with friends or family.

How to Convert AVIF to JPG Effectively

If you've determined that you need to convert your AVIF images to JPG for any of the reasons above, there are several ways to do so effectively:

Browser-Based Conversion

Online tools like AVIF2JPG.app offer a simple, browser-based solution for converting AVIF to JPG. These tools are convenient because they don't require any software installation and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.

Our tool at AVIF2JPG.app processes your files entirely in your browser, meaning your images never leave your device. This ensures complete privacy and security while providing fast conversion without waiting for uploads and downloads.

Desktop Software Options

For users who prefer desktop applications or need to convert many files, software options include:

• Image editing software like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP (with appropriate plugins)
• Dedicated conversion tools like XnConvert or IrfanView
• Command-line tools like ImageMagick or FFmpeg for advanced users

Quality Considerations

When converting from AVIF to JPG, consider these quality tips:

• Use a high quality setting (90-100) for important images
• Maintain the original resolution whenever possible
• Be aware that JPG doesn't support transparency, so transparent areas will be filled with a background color
• Consider keeping the original AVIF files as a backup, especially if they contain HDR or wide color gamut data

Conclusion

While AVIF is a technically superior format in many ways, there are still numerous practical reasons why you might need to convert AVIF images to JPG. From compatibility with older browsers and devices to software editing requirements, social media platform limitations, printing needs, and email sharing considerations, JPG's universal support makes it an essential format in many scenarios.

As browser and software support for AVIF continues to grow, we may see less need for such conversions in the future. Until then, tools like AVIF2JPG.app provide a valuable service for users who need to convert between these formats.

By understanding when and why to convert from AVIF to JPG, you can make informed decisions about your image formats and ensure your visual content is accessible to all intended audiences, regardless of their technical environment.