You send iPhone photos to a Windows computer, or try to upload one to a website, and it refuses to open: the files end in .HEIC. It's a common frustration, and fixing it takes a minute.
What is HEIC?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default photo format on iPhones since iOS 11. It stores images with much better compression than JPG, so photos take up considerably less space at similar quality. The downside is compatibility: many Windows programs, older Android phones, websites, print services and content management systems don't accept it.
How to convert HEIC to JPG
- Open the HEIC to JPG Converter.
- Choose one or more HEIC photos — up to 20 at a time.
- Set the JPG quality. Around 90% is a good balance between size and quality.
- Click Convert, then download each JPG.
Your photos stay private
This converter runs entirely in your browser. The photos are never uploaded, which matters for personal pictures. The first conversion downloads a decoder of about 3 MB, so it takes a moment to start; after that, further photos convert straight away.
What changes when you convert
- A small quality loss. JPG is lossy, but at 90% or higher the difference is very hard to see.
- Larger files. JPGs are generally bigger than the same photo as HEIC.
- Live Photos and depth data aren't carried over — you get a still image.
- Metadata such as date may differ depending on the tool.
Stop your iPhone taking HEIC photos
If you'd rather get JPGs from the start:
- Open Settings → Camera → Formats.
- Choose Most Compatible.
New photos will be saved as JPG. Existing photos stay as they are. You'll use more storage, and you can switch back any time.
Sharing without converting
When you send a photo through many apps, iOS automatically converts it to a compatible format. Problems tend to appear when you copy files directly to a computer or upload them from the Files app.
Reducing the size afterwards
If the JPGs are large, shrink them with the Image Compressor, or change their dimensions with the Image Resizer. For more on the trade-offs, see How to Compress Images Without Losing Quality.
FAQ
Can I convert HEIC to PNG instead? Convert to JPG with this tool, then use JPG to PNG if you specifically need PNG.
Are my photos uploaded? No. Conversion happens on your device.
Why does the first photo take longer? The browser downloads the HEIC decoder the first time you convert.
Is there a limit? Up to 20 photos per batch, each up to 50 MB.
Try it now
Convert your photos with the free HEIC to JPG Converter.
Related reading
Read JPG vs. PNG: Which Format Should You Use?. Browse the full blog for more guides.