Convert PSD to BMP on Mac

Select the PSD files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose BMP and press Return. FileFlip saves each BMP next to its original and works without an internet connection.

Coming soon for MacComing soon · macOS 14 Sonoma or later
Example: IMG_4021.HEIC selected in Finder with FileFlip open next to it, suggesting JPEG, PNG and AVIF, with TIFF, PDF, GIF and ICNS under Other formats.

How to convert PSD to BMP with FileFlip

  1. Select the PSD files

    In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.

  2. Press ⌥ F

    FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from PSD. Type “BMP” to jump to it.

  3. Choose BMP and press Return

    The BMP files appear next to the originals with the same names. The PSD files stay as they are.

PSD and BMP

Most people and websites can’t open a Photoshop file, so it has to be flattened into a regular image to share. Some older Windows software and hardware only accept BMP.

What changes when you convert

  • Both formats are lossless, so the image itself doesn’t change. Only file size and compatibility do.
  • The layers are flattened into a single image.
PSD compared with BMP
PropertyPSDBMP
Full namePhotoshop DocumentBitmap image
Made byAdobeMicrosoft
CompressionLosslessUsually uncompressed
Best forEditing in PhotoshopOlder software that requires it
Opens inPhotoshop and some other editors; Preview and Quick Look show a flattened imageWindows and most image editors
File extension.psd.bmp
In FileFlipOpensOpens and saves

Other ways on a Mac

For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.

Preview

Open the PSD in Preview, choose File → Export, pick Microsoft BMP from the Format menu and click Save. If Microsoft BMP isn’t listed, hold Option while you click the Format menu. For several files, open them together, select all thumbnails in the sidebar and choose File → Export Selected Images.

Good for a few files now and then.

Terminal

The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.

sips -s format bmp design.psd \
  --out design.bmp

Built into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.

Questions about PSD and BMP

Does converting PSD to BMP lose quality?

Both formats are lossless, so the image itself doesn’t change. Only file size and compatibility do.

Can I convert many PSD files at once?

Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose BMP. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.

Where is the BMP file saved?

Next to the original, with the same name and the .bmp extension. The PSD file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.

Can I convert BMP back to PSD?

No. FileFlip opens PSD files but doesn’t save them.

Are my files uploaded anywhere?

No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.

Convert a whole folder of images at once

FileFlip also handles video, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.

Coming soon for Mac