- The AVIF format allows for efficient compression with high image quality.
- iMessage does not display AVIF images correctly, only a thumbnail with no zoom capability.
- Apple already supports AVIF in Safari and Photos, but hasn't fully implemented it in Messages.
- Users have found workarounds, such as saving the image or converting it to another format.
For several years now, Apple users have been experiencing a rather frustrating problem when sending and receiving images in the AVIF via iMessage. Although this format has been gaining popularity for its efficiency and compression quality, Apple's famous messaging app does not handle it properly.
This error has persisted over time without Apple offering a clear solution. While the files AVIF can be opened and viewed correctly in Safari and Photos, but in iMessage they appear in a miniature version that cannot be enlarged. This has generated numerous complaints among users who were hoping for better support for this format.
What is the AVIF format and why is it used?
The format AVIF is an image file type based on AV1 compression, developed by the Alliance for Open Media. Its main advantage is that it offers superior image quality with smaller file sizes compared to JPEG y WebP.
AVIF It has been adopted by several platforms due to its ability to handle images with better compression without losing visual quality. Browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari support it, and companies like Netflix They use it to optimize content display. However, its implementation in iMessage leaves a lot to be desired.
The AVIF problem in iMessage
The bug in iMessage with images in format AVIF It is obvious: when a user sends an image in this format, the preview is displayed correctly before sending it, but once in the chat, the image appears in a thumbnail that cannot be enlarged. This error occurs both on devices with iOS as in macOS.
Many users have resorted to workarounds, such as save the image in the camera roll and open it in the Photos app or Safari. However, this is not a practical option and affects the messaging experience. If you are having trouble sending images in iMessage, you might want to check out this article to resolve other messaging issues.
Why hasn't Apple fixed this yet?
The fact that iOS and macOS support AVIF in other apps but not in iMessage is quite confusing. It is believed that Apple prioritizes its own format, HEIC, which is the one used by default in photos taken with devices iPhone.
Furthermore, it has been speculated that the lack of full compatibility with AVIF in iMessage could be due to the fact that Apple does not consider this problem as a priority. However, for users who want to share images in this format, the lack of support is annoying. More experienced users have sought Solutions on how to fix iMessage to avoid these frustrations.
Alternatives to view AVIF images in iMessage
Since Apple has not yet resolved this issue, users have found a few ways to deal with the incompatibility:
- Save image: Users can download the image to their device and open it in the Photos app or Safari.
- Convert to another format: Some applications allow you to convert images AVIF to PNG or JPEG before sending.
- Use another platform: Alternatively, users can resort to WhatsApp or Telegram, where the images AVIF are handled better.
The community is waiting for a solution
Users have expressed their discontent through forums and social media, asking Apple to fix this problem in future iOS and macOS updates. Some have sent bug reports to Apple, but so far there has been no official response.
If Apple decides to fix this issue, it will likely do so in a future OS update. Until then, users will need to continue using the workarounds listed above. If you are experiencing other types of errors, you can check out The correct way to fix errors in iMessage to improve your experience.
The format AVIF It has proven to be a major breakthrough in image compression, but its implementation in iMessage remains poor. Despite support in Safari and Photos, users still face difficulties when it comes to sharing images in this format in Apple's messaging app. Apple will likely end up providing proper support at some point, but until then, users will have to make do with workarounds.
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