GIMP Version: 2.10.8
Operating System: Linux
GIMP Experience: Intermediate Level

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In Settings, Import and export, I ticked the "add alpha channel to imported images" so I dont have to do it myself
without doing the above
when you open an image you just have one backgrnd layer and it has no alpha channel
But i notice that when you copy the base layer, an alpha channel is added.
someone else on youtube says duplicating the backgrnd layer does not add an alpha channel in their Gimp 2.10 what happens for you? Is is something odd with my version?

Hi Born2BeMild. In order to preserve the Alpha channel you need to Export the image as PNG. JPG/JPEG won't preserve Alpha channels. I don't know if that answer the question.

Also if you save your work in a Gimp native image file XCF, it will preserve the Alpha channel.

Go into settings and enable "Add Alpha Channel to imported images". Now all imported images will have an alpha channel by default, which should be default in my opinion.

Sorry my question must have been unclear.
I know how to change setting so that an alpha channel is made on import.
What I wanted to know is what is the default behaviour if you DON'T change settings.
I notice that when you copy the base layer, an alpha channel is added.
someone else on youtube says duplicating the backgrnd layer does not add an alpha channel in their Gimp 2.10 what happens for you?

Test it and see for yourself?

you still dont understand
For me I notice that when you copy the base layer, an alpha channel is added.
other people are telling me this is not the case for them, so I was asking here what happens for you?

Born2BeMild, I checked what you say and in my test, when I duplicated the background layer with no alpha, the duplicated layer had no alpha channel added.

Assuming you are using the default settings, then duplicating the background layer (without alpha channel) should not add an alpha channel. Hence the tip about changing the default settings..........

Strange, I dont know why it's happening then, but I don't mind at all in fact I like the behavouir

Please see post: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10572&p=139804#p139804

That post is totally different question and I was on Gimp 2.8 then. I was just asking what the default behaviour is in Gimp 2.10, just curious, I know how to get the behavioiur I want in settings.
Thanks Isabella for answering my query.