Since iOS 11, iPhones save photos as HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container). HEIC files are roughly half the size of a JPG of the same quality — great for your iCloud storage, not so great when a website, a Windows app or a print shop refuses to open them. Here's how to convert them, from the quickest option to the most permanent fix.
1. Online, in any browser (fastest)
- Open the HEIC to JPG converter.
- Drop up to 10 HEIC photos onto the page.
- Click Convert, then Download all.
Convert and edit files on your device. The browser edition accepts up to 100 MB total, media up to 10 minutes and video up to 4K. Codec availability and device memory can limit individual jobs.
2. On a Mac (built in)
Open the photo in Preview, choose File → Export, pick JPEG and set the quality. For many files at once, select them in Finder, right-click and choose Quick Actions → Convert Image.
3. On Windows 10 and 11
Windows can only display HEIC after you install two free Microsoft Store extensions: HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions (the latter may cost a small fee). Once installed, open the photo in the Photos app and use Save as to pick JPG. Without the extensions, an online converter is the simplest route.
4. On the iPhone itself
When you share a photo via Mail, Messages or AirDrop to a non-Apple device, iOS usually converts it to JPG automatically. To get JPGs when copying to a PC by cable, go to Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC and choose Automatic.
Stop shooting HEIC
Go to Settings → Camera → Formats and select Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG (and videos as H.264), at the cost of about twice the storage.
HEIC vs JPG at a glance
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | ~50% of JPG | Baseline |
| Compatibility | Apple devices, Windows with extensions, some Android | Everything |
| Extras | Depth maps, Live Photo data, 10-bit color | 8-bit color only |
Should you convert everything? No — keep originals in HEIC to save space and convert copies only when you need to share or upload them.