Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 2.8 billion monthly active users as of Q2 2022. People use Facebook to stay connected with friends and family, join groups, promote businesses, and more. One of the most common activities on Facebook is viewing and sharing photos.
When you view a photo on Facebook, it doesn’t always display the full size image. Facebook resizes photos to optimize page loading times. Viewing the full size photo allows you to see all the details and quality of the image.
There are a few different ways to view a photo in its original full size on Facebook. This article will discuss the steps to view full size photos in Facebook’s desktop site, mobile app, and Messenger app.
View Full Size Photo on Facebook Desktop
Viewing full size photos on the Facebook desktop site is easy to do:
Click the Photo
The first step is simple – click on the photo you want to see in full size. This will open the photo in a pop-up window.
Click the Arrow Icon
In the upper right corner of the photo pop-up, click the diagonal arrow icon. This is the “expand” icon and will display the full size version of the photo.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts to quickly view the full size photo:
– On a PC: Press the Ctrl + left click on the photo
– On a Mac: Press the Command + left click on the photo
This will immediately open the full size version without having to click the expand arrow.
View Full Size Photo on Facebook Mobile App
The Facebook mobile app makes it easy to view full size photos too:
Tap the Photo
When you tap on a photo, it will open in a viewer. At the bottom of the screen, tap the option for “Full Size”. This displays the photo in its original dimensions.
Pinch to Zoom
Alternatively, you can pinch to zoom in and out on the photo to view it larger. Pinch out with two fingers to zoom in further.
Save Photo
If you want to save the full size photo to your device, tap the three dots at the top right corner and choose “Save Photo”. This saves the original full size image to your camera roll.
View Full Size Photos in Facebook Messenger
You can also view full size photos sent and received within Facebook Messenger conversations:
Tap the Photo Message
In a Messenger thread, tap on a photo message to open it.
Tap the Expand Arrows
At the bottom right corner, tap the expand arrow icon to view the photo in full screen size.
Long Press on Photo
On iPhone, you can also long press on the photo message. Choose “Full Size” from the menu to view it larger.
Other Ways to View Full Size Facebook Photos
In addition to the main Facebook app and website, there are a couple other ways you can view and save full size photos:
Facebook Lite App
Facebook Lite is a stripped down version of Facebook made for areas with slower internet. To view full size photos in Facebook Lite:
1. Tap the photo to open it
2. Tap the downward arrow at the top right corner
3. Choose “View Full Size”
Right-click on Desktop
On the Facebook desktop site, you can also right-click on a photo and choose “Open image in new tab” to view the full size version.
Facebook Photo Viewer
There are third party Facebook photo viewer sites and tools you can use as well, such as Social Photo Tools. Just paste in the Facebook photo URL to view and save the full size image.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are some troubleshooting tips if you’re unable to view the full size photo:
– Reload the page – this refreshes the photo sizes
– The photo may be cropped or resized by the user when uploaded
– The original full size image may have been deleted
– You may not have permission to view the full photo based on privacy settings
– Clear Facebook cache and cookies to refresh the images
If the steps above don’t work, the photo may no longer be available in its full size. You’ll have to view the maximum available size.
Conclusion
Viewing photos in their full original size on Facebook enables you to see all the details and quality. The full size photo may look crisper and clearer than the resized versions Facebook displays.
To recap, you can view full size photos by:
– Clicking the expand arrow on desktop
– Tapping “Full Size” on mobile
– Using pinch zoom and keyboard shortcuts
– Trying Facebook Lite or a photo viewer site
With the rise in smartphone camera resolutions and photo quality, viewing the full size image lets you take advantage of all that detail. Give it a try the next time you come across a stunning photo in your Facebook feed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I view the full size photo?
Some common reasons you may not be able to view the full size version of a Facebook photo include:
– The original uploader deleted the full size version
– Privacy settings restrict you from viewing it
– Your internet connection is slow
– The image is actually a screenshot or resized before uploading
– Facebook is having technical issues
How do I save a full size photo from Facebook?
On mobile, tap the 3 dot menu icon while viewing full size and select “Save Photo”. On desktop, right click the image and choose “Save image as”. You can also use a Facebook photo viewer site to save the images.
Can I view full size photos on my tablet?
Yes, the same gestures and tap controls work. On an iPad, you can tap the photo, then tap the expand arrow. Pinch and zoom also works to view larger. Tap “Save Image” after viewing full size to save it.
How can I tell if I’m viewing the full size image?
In the top left corner when viewing full screen, Facebook shows the photo’s dimensions like “2048 x 1536”. This indicates you’re seeing the full original size. Lower resolutions mean it’s resized smaller.
Why do my full size photos look blurry on Facebook?
Facebook compresses images during upload for optimized file sizes. The compression can reduce quality and lead to blurry full size photos. For sharper images, upload using the Facebook desktop site which has less compression.
Table Comparing Facebook Photo Viewing Methods
| Method | Desktop | Mobile App | Messenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Click/Tap on Photo | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Expand Arrow | Yes | No | Yes |
| Pinch Zoom | No | Yes | No |
| Full Size Option | No | Yes | Yes |
| Save Photo | Right-click | 3 Dot Menu | Long Press |
How Photo Dimensions Play a Role
The dimensions and resolution of the original photo determine the maximum full size available. Here are some common photo sizes:
Standard Photo Dimensions
| Name | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| VGA | 640px | 480px |
| HD 720p | 1280px | 720px |
| FHD 1080p | 1920px | 1080px |
| 4K UHD | 3840px | 2160px |
Camera Sensor Resolutions
| Camera | Megapixels | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 11 | 12MP | 4032x3024px |
| Canon T7i | 24MP | 6000x4000px |
| Nikon D3500 | 24MP | 6000x4000px |
Higher resolution and larger dimensions allow capturing more detail in a photo. Viewing the full size on Facebook lets you take advantage of that extra detail.
How Facebook Compresses Photos
When you upload a photo to Facebook, it undergoes compression to reduce file size. This compression can affect viewing the full size photo:
Uploaded via Desktop
Photos uploaded via Facebook’s desktop website have minimal compression. The full size viewed will be very close to the original.
Uploaded via Mobile
Photos from the Facebook mobile app undergo more compression. File sizes are reduced more, so full size may lose some quality.
Amount of Compression
– Original: 10MB
– Desktop Uploaded: 9.5MB
– Mobile Uploaded: 4MB
Photos uploaded from desktop retain more detail vs mobile uploads. But the algorithm balances quality and file size.
Compression Settings
Facebook uses compression settings like:
– 82% quality JPEG
– 1920×1920 max dimensions
– 20:1 compression ratio
This resizes large images to conserve space while aiming to preserve as much detail as possible. But some quality loss is inevitable.
Pro Tips for Best Full Size Photo Quality
To get the most out of viewing full size photos on Facebook, follow these pro photographer tips:
Upload from Desktop
Always upload from desktop instead of mobile when possible. The desktop site compresses less than the mobile app.
Upload Original Size
Upload the full size original right from your camera. Don’t resize or edit it prior to uploading.
Choose JPEG File Format
JPEG retains more quality than PNG or GIF when compressed. The JPEG algorithm prioritizes detail over file size.
Avoid Multiple Edits
Editing and re-saving a photo multiple times degrades quality over time. Do all edits at once before uploading.
View on a Large Screen
Looking at photos on a big monitor or TV allows you to see the details versus a small phone screen. Zoom in to appreciate the full resolution.
Following these tips will help you get the most mileage from Facebook’s photo compression algorithms. Your full size views will be as close to the original as possible.
Comparing Facebook’s Photo Quality vs Other Apps
While Facebook compresses images to save space, other apps and services take different approaches to balance quality and file size.
– Heavy compression
– Lower photo quality
– Smaller file sizes
– Favors convenience over quality
– Light compression
– Retains more quality
– Larger file sizes
– Favors quality over convenience
Google Photos
– Moderate compression
– Good balance of quality and size
– Leverages advanced algorithms
– Provides unlimited free storage
Flickr
– Light compression
– Originals retained in cloud
– Multiple resize options
– Caters to photographers
iCloud Photos
– No compression
– Full original quality
– Large storage requirements
– Integrated across Apple devices
The type of compression impacts the viewing experience when accessing your full size originals. Understand the priorities of each app to pick the right one for your photos.
Conclusion
Viewing full size photos is a great way to admire details and quality on Facebook. Whether you’re using the desktop site, mobile app, or Messenger, accessing the original is just a tap or click away on most photos.
Understanding the impact of compression and resolution can help guide your uploading and viewing habits. Follow pro tips like uploading from desktop for minimal compression.
Full size photos let you fully appreciate the moments captured. You’ll gain a new admiration for stunning images from family and friends when you view the original details at full screen.