If you have ever received a photo from an iPhone that Windows could not open or a website refused to upload, you have met HEIC. Here is what it is and how to turn it into a normal JPG in a few seconds.
What is a HEIC file?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default photo format on iPhones and iPads since iOS 11. It stores pictures at about half the size of a JPG with the same visual quality, so your phone storage lasts longer. The catch is compatibility: Windows needs an extension, most Android phones cannot display it and the majority of websites and online forms reject it.
The fastest way: convert in your browser
- Open the HEIC to JPG converter on any device.
- Drop in your HEIC photos, or tap to choose them from your gallery. You can add dozens at once.
- Leave the quality at about 92 percent.
- Download each JPG, or press Download all (ZIP).
Your photos are converted on your own device. They are never uploaded, which matters for personal pictures.
On an iPhone: stop taking HEIC photos
If you do not want HEIC at all, open Settings, Camera, Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG. Existing photos stay HEIC until you convert them.
You can also let iOS convert for you when you share. When you attach a photo in the Mail app and pick Actual Size, or share through AirDrop to a Mac, the photo is often converted automatically.
On Windows 10 and 11
Windows can open HEIC if you install the HEIF Image Extensions and the HEVC video extension from the Microsoft Store, though some are paid. A free alternative is simply converting the files with the browser tool above, which avoids installing anything.
On a Mac
Preview opens HEIC natively. To convert, open the photo, choose File, Export, select JPEG and pick a quality. For many photos at once, select them in Finder, right click and choose Quick Actions, Convert Image.
On Android
Newer Android versions can show HEIC, but sharing the file often causes problems. The easiest fix is the browser converter: open the page in Chrome, choose your photos and save the JPG versions.
HEIC vs JPG: should you convert?
Keep HEIC if you only use Apple devices and want to save space. Convert to JPG when you need to:
- upload to a website, job portal or government form
- send photos to Windows or Android users
- edit in older software
- print at a shop that does not accept HEIC
Will I lose quality?
At 90 percent quality or higher the difference is not visible. If you want a lossless copy, convert to PNG with HEIC to PNG, but expect much larger files. If the converted JPG is bigger than you need, shrink it with the Image Compressor.
Privacy tip: remove location data
iPhone photos contain the exact GPS location where they were taken. Before posting online, remove the EXIF data. Converting HEIC with our tool already drops the metadata.
Troubleshooting
- The converter says the file is damaged. The file may be a live photo bundle or incomplete download. Re-export it from the Photos app.
- Colours look slightly different. HEIC can store wide colour. JPG conversion maps it to standard colour, which is normal.
- I need the video part of a Live Photo. Live Photos are two files. This tool converts the still image.
Why iPhones use HEIC
HEIC stores the same picture in about half the space of JPG, which saves storage on your phone. The trade-off is compatibility: many websites, older Windows versions and some printers do not accept it.
Stop shooting HEIC on iPhone
If you would rather skip conversion entirely, open Settings, Camera, Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG. Existing photos stay as they are, so you will still need to convert those.
Avoid the common pitfalls
- Batch conversions: drop several HEIC files in at once and download them together as a ZIP.
- Live Photos: only the still frame is converted. The short video part is not included.
- Colour: iPhone photos often use a wide colour gamut. After conversion they can look slightly different on very old screens, which is normal.
- Date and location: metadata is not copied to the new file, which protects your privacy. If you need to keep it, use an editor that preserves EXIF.
Sharing and uploading
Forms and marketplaces often have a size limit. After converting, run the result through the image compressor. To strip location data before posting, use remove EXIF data.
Everything happens in your browser, so your private photos are never uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
Why can I not open HEIC files on Windows?
Windows does not include a free HEIC decoder by default. You either install extensions from the Microsoft Store or convert the files to JPG with a browser tool, which needs no installation.
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
A small amount, because JPG is lossy. At 90 percent quality or higher the difference is not visible to most people. Choose PNG if you want a lossless copy.
Can I stop my iPhone from saving HEIC?
Yes. Open Settings, then Camera, then Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG instead.
Is it safe to convert my photos online?
It is safest to use a converter that runs in your browser and does not upload files. That way your photos never leave your device.
