OneDrive File Issues

Does OneDrive Compress Photos Uploaded from Android?

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are concerned whether OneDrive compresses photos backed up from Android devices due to apparent file size differences.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Backing up photos from an Android device to OneDrive cloud storage.
Observed behavior: Uploaded photos appear smaller in file size or lower in quality within OneDrive compared to the original Android device, despite there being no upload quality settings to adjust.

Before you start

Before checking for compression, locate the original photo on your Android device and note its exact file size in bytes and resolution dimensions.

Solution 1Recommended

Download the Photo to Verify Original File Size

Confirm whether compression has actually occurred by downloading the uploaded photo and comparing its exact byte size to the original file.

OneDrive for Android does not actively compress photos during upload or offer a compressed upload option. Testing on devices like the Galaxy S23 shows that while files may appear smaller in OneDrive's properties, this is typically due to server-side storage calculations (e.g., base-2 vs. base-10 systems) or minor metadata handling adjustments. The actual core photo data remains uncompressed.

Access the uploaded photo

Open the OneDrive app or navigate to the OneDrive website and locate the specific photo backed up from your Android device.

Download the file

Select the photo and choose the 'Download' option to save it directly back to your device's local storage or your computer.

Compare file details

Open the file properties of the newly downloaded file and check its size and resolution against the original photo on your Android device to confirm they are identical.

Storage Calculations: A file that appears slightly smaller on OneDrive servers usually restores to its exact original byte size once it is downloaded back to a local device.

Solution 2

Contact Official Microsoft Support

Reach out to Microsoft or the OneDrive team if you are a Microsoft 365 subscriber experiencing persistent data loss or file alterations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my photos look blurry when viewing them in the OneDrive app?

To save mobile data and improve loading times, the OneDrive app often displays lower-resolution preview thumbnails on your screen. To view the photo in its full, uncompressed quality, you need to download it to your device or allow the full image to load by zooming in.

Can I choose the upload quality for photos in OneDrive for Android?

No, currently the OneDrive app for Android does not have a setting to choose upload quality (like standard vs. high quality). It defaults to uploading your files in their original format and size.

Does OneDrive compress video files uploaded from my phone?

Like photos, videos are uploaded in their original file format. However, if you stream the video directly from the OneDrive cloud player, it may play at a lower resolution to prevent buffering and optimize playback. Downloading the video to your device will restore its original viewing quality.

Document & File Issues