Is It Safe to Convert Photos Online? What to Look For
I'll be honest—this is the question that led me to build CovertConvert in the first place.
I needed to convert some photos. Did a quick search, clicked the first result, started to upload my files and then paused. Wait. Where are these going? Some server I've never heard of? Who runs this? What happens to my photos after?
The more I thought about it, the less comfortable I felt.
How most converters actually work
When you use a typical online converter, here's what happens:
- You pick your file
- It uploads to their server (somewhere)
- Their server does the conversion
- You download the result
- Your file sits on their server... indefinitely?
That last part is the problem. Most sites don't make it clear what happens to your files after. Some say they delete them "within 24 hours." Some don't say anything at all. And even the ones that claim to delete immediately—are you just taking their word for it?
Why this matters
For random images, maybe it doesn't. But think about what's on your phone:
- Family photos
- Screenshots with personal info
- Documents you photographed
- Receipts, IDs, who knows what else
These files travel across the internet to a server you don't control, get stored on hardware you can't verify, accessible to people you've never met. Even with good intentions, servers get hacked. Databases leak. Companies get acquired and suddenly your "deleted" files are someone else's asset.
I'm not trying to be paranoid here. But when there's an alternative that doesn't require any of this risk, why take it?
What to look for
If you're going to use an online converter, here's what I'd check:
Do they have a privacy policy? Read it. Look for what they say about data retention and third parties. If there's no privacy policy at all, close the tab.
Does it work without uploading? Some converters process files locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your file never goes anywhere. This is the gold standard for privacy.
How to verify: Open your browser's developer tools (F12 or right-click → Inspect), go to the Network tab, and watch what happens when you convert a file. If you see your file uploading to a remote server, you'll know. If the network activity is basically zero, the conversion is happening locally.
Do they require an account? If a converter needs your email just to convert an image, ask yourself why. They're building a profile on you. A tool that respects your privacy doesn't need to know who you are.
The client-side difference
When a converter runs "client-side," it means everything happens in your browser. The website sends you the conversion code (JavaScript, WebAssembly), and that code processes your file right there on your own computer.
The server never sees your file. Can't see your file. It's technically impossible because the file never leaves your machine.
This isn't some theoretical distinction. It's the difference between "trust us, we delete your files" and "we literally cannot access your files in the first place."
Why I built this site
I got frustrated with the existing options. Either they were uploading files to servers (sketchy), or they had so many ads they felt like a trap, or they wanted me to download some app I didn't trust.
So I built a converter that runs entirely in the browser. No uploads. No accounts. No tracking what you convert. I can't see your files because my server never receives them. Don't take my word for it—open the Network tab and verify for yourself.
That's the standard I think these tools should meet. If a converter asks you to upload files when it doesn't technically need to that's a red flag.
Quick checklist
Before using any converter:
- Check for a privacy policy
- Look for claims about local/client-side processing
- Verify with browser Network tab
- Avoid anything requiring an account for basic features
- Trust your gut—if it feels sketchy, it probably is
Your photos are personal. You shouldn't have to upload them to a stranger's server just to change the file format.