What Does Maximize Compatibility Do in Photoshop?

When you save a document in Photoshop, you might have noticed a setting called "Maximize Compatibility." The most important thing to know is that turning this setting on saves a composite, or flattened, image along with the layers inside your PSD or PSB file. This flattened image is what allows other applications, including mobile viewer apps, to show you the complete design.

If you turn this setting off, Photoshop only saves the raw layer data. While this saves space, it may prevent some other apps from displaying the image.

Where to Find the Setting

If you want to check or change how Photoshop handles this setting, you can find it in the preferences menu. The menu path depends on your computer's operating system.

• On Windows: Go to Edit > Preferences > File Handling.
• On Mac: Go to Photoshop > Preferences > File Handling.

In this menu, you will see a section for Maximize PSD and PSB File Compatibility. You will be given three choices: Always, Ask, or Never.

Always, Ask, or Never Explained

Understanding these three choices will help you manage your files better.

Always: This option tells Photoshop to save the flattened image every single time you save a PSD or PSB file. This ensures your files are as compatible as possible with other software.

Ask: If you choose this, Photoshop will show a prompt asking if you want to maximize compatibility each time you save a file. This is useful if you want to decide on a case-by-case basis.

Never: This option stops Photoshop from saving the flattened image entirely. Adobe notes that choosing "Never" prevents older applications from opening your files. While it does not mean every single app will fail, it significantly reduces compatibility.

When to Turn It On or Off

You should generally keep this setting set to "Always" if you plan to share your files. If you need to send a design to a client, transfer it to your phone, or open it in a different program, the flattened image is essential. It helps the recipient see your work without needing to own a copy of Photoshop themselves.

On the other hand, saving that extra flattened image makes the overall file larger. If you choose "Ask" or "Never," you can reduce the file size. This might be necessary if you are working with massive documents containing hundreds of layers and need to save disk space. Keep in mind that PSD files have a strict 2GB limit. For larger documents, you will need to use the PSB format, but Adobe states that PSB is not fully compatible with other programs.

Why Your PSD is Blank on Your Phone

When you try to view a design sent by a colleague or a client on your mobile device, seeing a blank screen can be incredibly stressful. If someone sent you a PSD file and it shows a blank screen or a notice on your phone, it was likely saved with Maximize Compatibility turned off. Because the file lacks the flattened image, the viewer app may not be able to display the design, even if the file itself is perfectly healthy.

Even when the image is missing, a good viewer app might still let you see the layer list and document info. This can confirm that the file is not broken. To see the actual image, you will need to ask the sender to turn on Maximize Compatibility and save the file again. Additionally, keep in mind that files saved in some specific color modes, like Multichannel or Duotone, or using certain save methods, might not show the merged image even with the setting turned on.

View PSD Files on Your Phone

If you need a reliable way to check designs on your mobile device, try PSD & PSB File Viewer. This app lets you view PSD and PSB files without needing Photoshop. You can pinch or double-tap to zoom into the full merged image, and the app will re-read the visible area for a sharper view once you stop zooming.

The app also lets you browse the layer list to see groups, hidden layers, opacity, and layer types (note that this is for viewing only). You can check document info like the size in pixels, DPI, color mode, bit depth, and color profile. It also includes a "Folder" tab to open files from your system, and it keeps track of your files in the "Recent" and "Received" tabs. You can easily swipe left or right to move between files in your lists.

You can view up to 5 different PSD or PSB files for free. If you upgrade to Plus (a one-time purchase, not a subscription), you get unlimited PSD and PSB viewing, the ability to save the merged image as a PNG or PDF, and content previews while swiping between files. It even supports viewing standard images like JPG, PNG, and WebP for free.

References: Adobe: Fine-tune Photoshop features for performance, Adobe: Performance optimization basics, and the Adobe Photoshop reference (older edition) for the menu path and the Always, Ask and Never options.