What HEIC is and why it causes trouble
HEIC is Apple’s name for images stored in the HEIF container with HEVC (H.265) compression. iPhones have used it by default since iOS 11 because it gives similar visual quality to JPEG in a noticeably smaller file and supports features such as Live Photos and depth data.
The downside is compatibility. Many upload forms, online stores, older photo editors and office programs still accept only JPG or PNG, and Windows does not open HEIC out of the box. For anything you plan to send, print or upload, JPG is still the safe choice.
Option 1. Convert online in the browser (any device)
- Open the HEIC to JPG converter.
- Drop one or more HEIC/HEIF files into the box (or tap it to choose them).
- Pick JPG or PNG and the JPG quality — 90% is a good default.
- Click “Convert” and download the files one by one or all at once as a ZIP.
The conversion runs locally in your browser, so private photos never leave your device. It works on Windows, Mac, Android and in iPhone Safari, without installing anything.
Option 2. Windows 10 and 11
- Install the codec. Get “HEIF Image Extensions” from the Microsoft Store. Some PCs also need “HEVC Video Extensions” (a small paid add-on, unless your device maker preinstalled it). After that, Photos and File Explorer thumbnails show HEIC files.
- Save a copy as JPG. With the codec installed, open the photo in Paint and use File → Save as → JPEG picture. This works one file at a time, so for a whole folder the browser converter is faster.
Option 3. On the iPhone itself
- Shoot JPG from now on: Settings → Camera → Formats → “Most Compatible”. Photos will take more space, but every app will open them.
- Convert when copying to a computer: Settings → Photos → “Transfer to Mac or PC” → “Automatic”. When you import over a cable, iOS converts photos to a compatible format such as JPEG.
- Sharing: many apps (mail, messengers) receive a JPEG automatically when you share from Photos, but files copied through cloud drives or AirDrop often stay HEIC.
Option 4. Mac
Open the photo in Preview and choose File → Export, then pick JPEG as the format. For many pictures, open them together, select them all in Preview’s sidebar and use File → Export Selected Images. In the Photos app, select the photos and choose File → Export → Export Photos, then set the photo kind to JPEG.
JPG or PNG?
| JPG | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy, adjustable quality | Lossless |
| File size for photos | Small | Several times larger |
| Best for | Sending, uploading, printing photos | Further editing, screenshots, graphics |
For ordinary photos JPG at 85–92% quality is the practical choice. Pick PNG only when you will keep editing the image and want to avoid repeated JPEG compression.
A note on metadata
HEIC photos may contain EXIF data such as the capture date and GPS location. Converted files may or may not keep it depending on the tool. If location privacy matters, check the result with an EXIF viewer before posting — see also our guide on removing EXIF from photos.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my iPhone save photos as HEIC?
Since iOS 11 the default camera setting “High Efficiency” stores photos in HEIC (HEIF with HEVC compression). It keeps similar visual quality in a noticeably smaller file than JPEG, which saves storage space.
Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
JPEG is a lossy format, so every re-encode discards a little data. At a high quality setting (around 90%) the difference is not visible in normal viewing. Choose PNG if you need a lossless copy, at the cost of much larger files.
Can Windows open HEIC files?
Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC after you install the “HEIF Image Extensions” from the Microsoft Store; some systems also need the “HEVC Video Extensions”. Without them, the Photos app cannot display the file.
How do I stop my iPhone from taking HEIC photos?
Go to Settings → Camera → Formats and choose “Most Compatible”. New photos will be saved as JPEG; existing photos stay HEIC.
Are my photos uploaded when I convert online?
Not with our converter: the files are decoded and converted in your browser and never sent to a server.