Guides

How to convert HEIC to JPG

iPhones save photos as HEIC, which many websites and older programs can't open. Here is how to convert them on any computer, in batches, and how to stop it happening.

Published by ThatToolSite

HEIC to JPG converts a whole folder of iPhone photos in your browser, including browsers that can’t display HEIC. The photos are never uploaded.

Convert HEIC to JPG

What HEIC is, and why it causes trouble

Since iOS 11, iPhones and iPads that support it save photos in the HEIF format, with the file extension .heic. It keeps photos small on the phone, but plenty of things still can’t open it: many upload forms, older Windows programs and most web browsers other than Safari.

JPG opens everywhere, so converting is usually the fix. The best way depends on how many photos you have.

Which method to use

SituationQuickest way
A few photos on WindowsInstall Microsoft’s HEIF Image Extensions, then save a copy as JPEG
Photos on a MacFinder quick action Convert Image, or File > Export in Preview
Dozens of photos, any computer or phoneConvert them all at once in the browser
Stop new photos being HEICiPhone setting: Camera > Formats > Most Compatible

One shortcut that doesn’t work is renaming photo.heic to photo.jpg. The name changes, but the data inside is still HEIC, so the file either won’t open or an upload form rejects it when it checks the contents. The photo has to be decoded and saved again as a real JPEG, which is what every method below does.

Convert a batch in your browser

  1. Get the photos onto the device. Copy them from the phone with a cable, or download them from iCloud Photos or a shared album.
  2. Add them all to HEIC to JPG. Select the whole set at once. Conversion happens on your device, so a large batch takes a moment but nothing leaves it.
  3. Download the JPGs. Check one or two at full size, then save them where you need them.

If you need a format other than JPG, such as PNG or WebP, the image converter switches between them.

On Windows

Windows needs Microsoft’s free HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store to read HEIC. Microsoft’s help pages say some files also need the HEVC Video Extensions. With those installed:

  1. Open the photo in Paint. Right-click the file, then choose Open with > Paint.
  2. Save a copy as JPEG. Choose File > Save as > JPEG picture, and pick a folder.

This works one photo at a time. For more than a handful, the browser method is faster and doesn’t need anything installed.

On a Mac

  • Finder: select the photos, Control-click, then choose Quick Actions > Convert Image. Pick JPEG and a size. Apple’s own example converts an iPhone .heic photo this way.
  • Preview or Photos: open the photo, choose File > Export, and pick JPEG.

On the iPhone itself

To make new photos save as JPG, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose Most Compatible. Photos you already took stay HEIC, and the files take more space from then on.

You may not need to convert at all. Apple says:

  • Photos sent by AirDrop, Messages or email might be converted to JPEG automatically if the receiving device can’t use HEIC.
  • Photos imported over USB to a PC might arrive as JPEG. If you’d rather keep the originals, turn on Settings > Apps > Photos > Keep Originals.

“Might” is the key word. If a website rejects the file, convert it yourself rather than relying on the phone.

Quality, file size and photo data

  • Expect bigger files. HEIC stores the same photo in less space than JPG, so the JPG is usually larger. If a form has a limit, compress afterwards with Compress image.
  • Convert once, at high quality. Each JPG save loses a little detail, so convert from the original HEIC, not from an earlier JPG copy.
  • Live Photos are a still photo plus a short video. Converting gives you the still only.
  • Location and camera data. Converters differ in whether they copy this data into the JPG. Leaving it out is safer for photos you post publicly. Keeping it matters if your photo library sorts by the date taken, so check a converted file before deleting originals.

Sources