Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is ShrinkMyPhoto and how does it work?

ShrinkMyPhoto is a free online image compression tool that helps you reduce image file sizes while maintaining visual quality. Our tool works entirely in your browser using advanced compression algorithms.

How it works:

  1. Upload your images by dragging and dropping or clicking to browse
  2. Choose your preferred compression settings (quality, format, dimensions)
  3. Our algorithms process the images in your browser
  4. Download your optimized images instantly
Privacy First: All processing happens in your browser. We never upload, store, or access your images on our servers.

Is ShrinkMyPhoto really free to use?

Yes, ShrinkMyPhoto is completely free to use! We offer:

  • No registration required
  • No hidden costs or fees
  • No watermarks on your images
  • No file size limits for basic compression
  • Unlimited use

We also offer premium features for power users who need advanced functionality like batch processing and compression history.

What image formats does ShrinkMyPhoto support?

ShrinkMyPhoto supports the most popular image formats:

JPEG/JPG

Best for: Photographs, complex images, web graphics

Features: Lossy compression, small file sizes, wide compatibility

Limitations: No transparency support

PNG

Best for: Images with transparency, graphics, logos

Features: Lossless compression, transparency support, high quality

Limitations: Larger file sizes than JPEG

WebP

Best for: Modern web use, maximum compression

Features: Excellent compression, transparency support, modern format

Limitations: Limited browser support (though improving)

Compression & Quality

How much can I compress my images?

The compression ratio depends on several factors:

  • Original file size: Larger files typically compress more
  • Image content: Photos with lots of detail compress less than simple graphics
  • Quality settings: Lower quality = smaller file size
  • Output format: WebP typically provides the best compression

Typical compression results:

  • High quality (80-90%): 20-40% size reduction
  • Medium quality (60-80%): 40-60% size reduction
  • Low quality (40-60%): 60-80% size reduction
Tip: Start with medium quality settings and adjust based on your needs. You can always re-compress if needed.

Will compression affect my image quality?

Image compression can affect quality, but our tool is designed to minimize this impact:

Lossy vs Lossless Compression:

  • JPEG: Lossy compression - some quality loss, but usually imperceptible
  • PNG: Lossless compression - no quality loss, but larger files
  • WebP: Can be lossy or lossless depending on settings

Quality Control:

  • Adjustable quality settings (0-100%)
  • Real-time preview of compressed images
  • Side-by-side comparison tools
  • File size and quality information
Best Practice: Use the preview feature to compare original and compressed images before downloading.

What are the different quality presets?

ShrinkMyPhoto offers several quality presets to suit different needs:

  • Ultra High Quality (90-95%): Minimal compression, best for professional use
  • High Quality (75-85%): Good balance of quality and file size
  • Balanced (60-75%): Recommended for most web use
  • Low Quality (40-60%): Maximum compression, suitable for thumbnails
  • Minimum (20-40%): Extreme compression, use only when file size is critical
Smart Compression: Our intelligent algorithm automatically chooses the best settings based on your image content and selected preset.

Technical Questions

How does browser-based compression work?

Our browser-based compression uses modern web technologies:

Core Technologies:

  • HTML5 Canvas API: For image manipulation and processing
  • JavaScript: Advanced compression algorithms
  • Web Workers: Background processing for better performance
  • File API: Local file handling and processing

Advantages:

  • No server uploads required
  • Instant processing
  • Complete privacy protection
  • Works offline
  • No bandwidth limitations

What are the file size limits?

ShrinkMyPhoto has generous file size limits:

Free Tier:

  • Individual files: Up to 50MB per image
  • Batch processing: Up to 10 images at once
  • Monthly limit: 100 images per month

Premium Tier:

  • Individual files: Up to 100MB per image
  • Batch processing: Up to 50 images at once
  • Monthly limit: 1000 images per month
  • Additional features: Compression history, bulk download
Note: Very large files may take longer to process. We recommend images under 20MB for optimal performance.

Can I compress images on mobile devices?

Yes! ShrinkMyPhoto is fully responsive and works on all devices:

Mobile Compatibility:

  • Responsive design that adapts to screen size
  • Touch-friendly interface
  • Camera integration for direct photo capture
  • Optimized for mobile browsers

Supported Mobile Features:

  • Drag and drop (on supported devices)
  • File picker integration
  • Camera access for direct photos
  • Download to device storage
Mobile Tip: Use the camera feature to compress photos directly after taking them, perfect for social media sharing.

Privacy & Security

Is my data safe? Do you store my images?

Your privacy and security are our top priorities:

What We DON'T Do:

  • ❌ Upload your images to our servers
  • ❌ Store any of your images
  • ❌ Access your image content
  • ❌ Track your image processing
  • ❌ Share your data with third parties

What We DO:

  • ✅ Process images entirely in your browser
  • ✅ Use secure HTTPS connections
  • ✅ Follow GDPR compliance standards
  • ✅ Provide transparent privacy policies
  • ✅ Allow you to control your data
Privacy First: Your images never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your secure browser environment.

Do you use cookies or tracking?

We use minimal, essential cookies and tracking:

Essential Cookies:

  • User preferences and settings
  • Consent management for advertising
  • Session management

Analytics (Optional):

  • Website usage statistics (anonymized)
  • Performance monitoring
  • Error tracking

Advertising:

  • Google AdSense (with consent)
  • GDPR-compliant consent management

You can control cookie preferences through our consent banner or browser settings.

Troubleshooting

Why won't my images upload?

If you're having trouble uploading images, try these solutions:

Common Issues:

  • File format not supported: Ensure your image is JPEG, PNG, or WebP
  • File too large: Try compressing the original image first
  • Browser compatibility: Update your browser or try a different one
  • Network issues: Check your internet connection

Supported Formats:

  • JPEG/JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
  • PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
  • WebP (Web Picture format)
Quick Fix: Try refreshing the page and uploading again. If the problem persists, try a different browser.

The compression isn't working as expected. What should I do?

If compression results aren't what you expected:

Check These Settings:

  • Quality preset: Try a lower quality setting for more compression
  • Output format: WebP typically provides better compression than JPEG
  • Image dimensions: Reducing size can significantly decrease file size
  • Original image: Some images are already well-compressed

Optimization Tips:

  • Use the preview feature to compare results
  • Try different quality settings
  • Consider changing the output format
  • Enable dimension reduction if appropriate
Note: Images that are already highly compressed may not compress much further without significant quality loss.

How do I get the best compression results?

Follow these best practices for optimal compression:

Before Compression:

  • Use high-quality original images
  • Choose appropriate dimensions for your use case
  • Consider your target platform requirements

During Compression:

  • Start with "Balanced" quality preset
  • Use the preview to compare results
  • Try WebP format for web use
  • Enable dimension reduction if appropriate

After Compression:

  • Check the compressed image quality
  • Verify file size meets your requirements
  • Test the image in your intended use case
Pro Tip: For web use, aim for file sizes under 200KB for most images. For social media, check platform-specific requirements.