How to Convert WebP Images to PNG or JPEG on Mac Using Preview

Modern websites and content delivery networks predominantly serve images in the WebP format due to its superior compression algorithms and smaller file sizes. However, when you download a WebP graphic to your Mac to use in presentations, older editing software, or legacy desktop applications, you may encounter compatibility errors because many offline tools still expect standard PNG or JPEG files.

You do not need to install third-party conversion utilities or upload private graphics to online conversion websites. macOS includes robust, native image conversion engines built directly into the Preview app and Finder. Here is how to convert individual or bulk WebP files on your Mac quickly.

Method 1: Convert Individual WebP Files Using the Preview App

The standard Preview app handles WebP image rendering and export natively on modern macOS versions:

1. Double-click the WebP file in Finder to open it in Preview (if another app opens it, right-click the file and select Open With > Preview).
2. Click File in the top menu bar and select Export.
3. In the export dialogue box, locate the Format dropdown menu.
4. Choose your preferred output format:
   • PNG: Preserves transparent backgrounds, sharp edges, and lossless quality. Best for screenshots, logos, and UI graphics.
   • JPEG: Provides smaller file sizes with adjustable compression quality. Best for photography and rich illustrations.
5. Choose your destination folder and click Save.

Method 2: Batch Convert Multiple WebP Images at Once in Preview

If you have downloaded dozens of WebP files and need to convert all of them simultaneously:

1. In Finder, highlight all the WebP images you want to convert.
2. Right-click the highlighted group and choose Open With > Preview. All selected images will load into a single Preview window with a thumbnail sidebar.
3. Click inside the thumbnail sidebar on the left and press Command + A to select all image thumbnails.
4. Click File in the top menu bar and choose Export Selected Images.
5. In the file browser dialogue box, click the Options button in the bottom-left corner to reveal format settings.
6. Select PNG or JPEG from the Format menu.
7. Select your target destination folder and click Choose.

Preview processes every image concurrently, creating converted copies in your chosen folder within seconds while leaving your original WebP assets untouched.

Method 3: Instant Conversion via Finder Quick Actions

macOS includes a built-in Quick Action feature that converts images directly from the Finder context menu without opening any application windows:

1. Select one or more WebP files in Finder.
2. Right-click the selection and hover over Quick Actions.
3. Click Convert Image.
4. A small dialogue box will appear prompting you to choose the format (JPEG, PNG, or HEIF) and image size (Actual Size, Large, Medium, or Small).
5. Ensure Preserve metadata is checked if you want to keep EXIF tags.
6. Click Convert to [Format].

Finder creates duplicate converted files in the same directory instantly.

Method 4: Fast Command-Line Conversion via Terminal (sips)

For power users and automated scripting workflows, macOS includes the sips (Scriptable Image Processing System) command-line tool:

1. Open Terminal (Command + Space and type Terminal).
2. To convert a single WebP image to PNG:

   sips -s format png input.webp --out output.png

3. To convert all WebP files in the current directory to JPEG in bulk:

   for f in *.webp; do sips -s format jpeg "$f" --out "${f%.webp}.jpg"; done

Using native macOS conversion tools eliminates privacy concerns, avoids third-party advertising pop-ups, and gives you lightning-fast control over your media assets.