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How to Preserve Original Photo and Video Quality When Uploading to OneDrive
Question details
Users are looking for a way to upload photos and videos to OneDrive without losing original quality or resolution.
- Product
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- iOS, Android
- Scenario
- Uploading photos and videos from mobile devices (like Samsung Galaxy or iPhone) to OneDrive via automatic or manual uploads.
- Observed behavior
- The OneDrive mobile app compresses the media, resulting in reduced image quality, lower video resolution, and smaller file sizes compared to the originals.
Check the original file size and resolution of your photos or videos on your mobile device, and do not delete them from your phone until you have verified that the uploaded copies are full quality.
Transfer to a Computer and Upload via the OneDrive Website
Since the OneDrive mobile app currently lacks a reliable setting to prevent compression, uploading through a desktop web browser is the most effective way to guarantee your media retains its original quality.
This workaround bypasses the mobile app's built-in compression algorithms. While it requires an extra step, it is the only confirmed method to ensure your high-resolution photos and 4K videos remain untouched.
Connect your iPhone or Android device to your PC or Mac using a USB cable, or use a wireless transfer method (like AirDrop or Quick Share) to move the original photos and videos to your local hard drive.
Open your preferred desktop web browser and navigate to the official OneDrive website. Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Click the 'Upload' button at the top of the interface, select 'Files' or 'Folder', and choose the media you transferred from your phone. The web interface will upload the files in their original, uncompressed state.
Check Mobile App Camera Upload Settings
Although many devices currently do not offer this option, you should periodically check your app settings in case a recent update has introduced media quality controls.
Manage Your Documents and Cloud Files Easily with WPS Office
While dealing with OneDrive's mobile media compression can be frustrating, managing your important documents doesn't have to be. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that lets you view, edit, and save files seamlessly. Whether you use local storage or cloud services, WPS Office provides a familiar and reliable experience.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your PC, Mac, or mobile device.
- 2. Sign In to Cloud: Open WPS Office and sign in to easily sync your documents using WPS Cloud.
- 3. Edit Without Hassle: Open any existing Microsoft Office document directly in WPS and enjoy a seamless editing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the OneDrive app compress my mobile photos?
To save bandwidth, speed up upload times, and reduce the storage space used on your cloud account, the OneDrive mobile app often compresses media files during automatic or manual camera uploads.
Can I turn off photo compression in the mobile OneDrive app?
Currently, the standard iOS and Android OneDrive apps lack a specific toggle to guarantee original photo and video quality during mobile uploads. The most reliable method is to upload via a computer web browser.
Does OneDrive compress files uploaded from a computer?
No. Uploading files through the OneDrive desktop sync client or the web browser interface preserves the original file size, resolution, and overall quality of your photos and videos.
Will downloading photos from OneDrive reduce their quality?
Downloading files from OneDrive will not reduce their quality further. You will receive the exact file as it is currently stored on Microsoft's servers. If it was uploaded compressed, it will download compressed.
