How to Convert Images from Google Drive
Google Drive stores files in their original format. If someone shares a WebP image, a HEIC photo, or a TIFF scan with you through Drive, it stays in that format. When you need the image in a different format for a specific use case (uploading to a website, printing, using in a presentation, or attaching to an email), you need to convert it first.
Google Drive itself has no built-in format conversion for images. You can preview many formats in Drive, but downloading gives you the original file in its original format. The conversion step happens outside of Drive, either on your computer or in your browser.
This guide covers the practical workflow of converting images stored in Google Drive to the format you need.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Download the Image from Google Drive
Open Google Drive in your browser. Right-click the image file and select Download. The file downloads in its original format. If the image is inside a Google Doc, Slides, or Sheet, you can right-click the image within the document and select Save to Keep or download the entire document and extract the images. Google Docs images export at the resolution they were inserted.
- Identify the Current Format
Check the file extension of the downloaded file. Common formats from Google Drive include JPG (shared photos), PNG (screenshots, graphics), WebP (web downloads), HEIC (iPhone photos), TIFF (scanned documents), and sometimes BMP or GIF. The file extension tells you what conversion is needed.
- Convert to Your Required Format
Use a converter to change the image format. For web use, convert to JPG or WebP. For presentations, convert to PNG (best quality) or JPG. For printing, keep or convert to TIFF for lossless quality or JPG at quality 90+ for smaller files. For email attachments, JPG is almost always the best choice due to universal compatibility and small file sizes.
- Re-Upload to Google Drive If Needed
If you need the converted file accessible in Google Drive for sharing or collaboration, upload the converted version. You can keep both the original and converted version, or replace the original if you no longer need it. Use descriptive file names to distinguish between formats, like photo-original.heic and photo-converted.jpg.
- Share the Converted File
After converting and optionally re-uploading, share the file using your preferred method. Google Drive sharing links, email attachments, and direct downloads all work with converted files. When sharing via email, JPG attachments are the most universally compatible and have the smallest file sizes.
Working with Images Inside Google Docs
Images embedded in Google Docs, Slides, or Sheets are stored at the resolution they were inserted. If someone inserted a low-resolution image, there is no way to extract a higher-resolution version. To download all images from a Google Doc, use File > Download > Web Page (.html, zipped). The ZIP file contains an images folder with every image from the document.
For Google Slides, each slide can be exported as an image via File > Download > PNG image or JPEG image. This exports the entire slide as a single image, including text and other elements. To extract just one embedded image from a slide, right-click the image and select Save to Google Keep, then download from Keep.
Common Google Drive Image Conversion Scenarios
The most common scenario is receiving shared HEIC photos from iPhone users through Google Drive. These photos need to be converted to JPG for use in presentations, documents, or web pages. Another common scenario is downloading WebP images from shared folders and needing them in PNG or JPG for software that does not support WebP.
Business teams frequently share scanned documents via Google Drive in TIFF format. These files are large and not easily viewable on all devices. Converting to JPG dramatically reduces file size while maintaining readability. For internal documentation, PNG is better than JPG when the scanned pages contain important small text.
- HEIC from iPhone users: Convert to JPG for universal compatibility
- WebP from web downloads: Convert to PNG or JPG for app compatibility
- TIFF from scanners: Convert to JPG for smaller files and easier viewing
- PNG screenshots: Convert to JPG for email attachments (smaller)
- BMP from legacy systems: Convert to PNG or JPG (BMP is unnecessarily large)
Convert Google Drive Images in Your Browser
After downloading your image from Google Drive, convert it with imageconvert.co directly in your browser. No software to install, no account to create. The conversion is instant and happens entirely on your device. Your files stay private throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Google Drive convert image formats?
No. Google Drive stores and serves files in their original format. It can preview many image formats but does not offer format conversion. You need to download the file and use a separate converter to change the format.
How do I extract images from a Google Doc?
Use File > Download > Web Page (.html, zipped). The downloaded ZIP file contains an images folder with all images from the document. Alternatively, right-click individual images within the document and select Save to Google Keep, then download from Keep.
Why are Google Drive images in WebP format?
WebP is Google's image format used widely across the web. Images downloaded from websites and stored in Google Drive retain their WebP format. Google Chrome also saves web images as WebP by default. Convert to JPG or PNG if you need the image in a more universally compatible format.
How do I share a Google Drive image in a different format?
Download the image from Google Drive, convert it to the desired format using a converter, then either re-upload the converted file to Google Drive for sharing or attach it directly to an email. Google Drive does not convert files during sharing.