Facebook switched to webp images in app for faster downloads

Last year Facebook switched from jpg and png to webp for displaying photos in the Android app. The social network has also made its app lighter and consumes less data. The focus on this is the result of a trip by employees to Africa.

Compared to jpg, according to Facebook, webp saves 25 to 35 percent in size, while compared to png the difference is 80 percent. Webp is an alternative image file format from Google. In addition to the switch to webp, the Android app adjusts the resolution of images to the resolution of the screen instead of always downloading full-size images.

As a result of these measures, the Android app uses 50 percent less data, according to Facebook. It would also start up faster, because it tries to start fewer functions at the same time. The changes only apply to Facebook’s Android app.

Facebook took the measures after several employees went on a trip to Africa to try out the app on popular, often cheap, devices and less fast networks there. The company says it will also try out new features under such circumstances.