Apple is working on a fix for a recently discovered iMessage bug that prevents users from sending AVIF images. AVIF, a modern image format known for its superior compression and high-quality visuals, has been gaining traction across the tech industry. However, iPhone and iPad users running iOS 17 have reported that when they try to send AVIF images via iMessage, the images fail to deliver.
The issue seems to be a software-level limitation within iMessage rather than a broader iOS restriction, as AVIF support was officially introduced in iOS 16. While the format is compatible with Apple’s Photos app and Safari, iMessage appears to have been overlooked in the implementation.
Users experiencing the problem have resorted to workarounds like converting AVIF files to PNG or JPEG before sending them. Apple has acknowledged the issue and is actively working on a fix, though it remains unclear if the patch will arrive in an upcoming iOS 17 update or be pushed to iOS 18.
This incident highlights the growing importance of modern image formats and the challenges tech companies face in maintaining seamless compatibility across their ecosystems. With AVIF becoming more widely adopted, ensuring full support across all platforms will be crucial for Apple and other tech giants.
