Since 2017, iPhones and iPads have saved photos in HEIC format by default. HEIC files are about half the size of JPGs at similar quality, but plenty of Windows PCs, websites and upload forms still can't open them. Converting to JPG fixes that. Here's how to do it on every device.
The quickest way: PDFJig (any device, batch conversion)
PDFJig's HEIC to JPG converter works in any modern browser and converts many photos at once. The photos are converted on your own device and never uploaded.
- Open PDFJig's HEIC to JPG tool.
- Add one or more HEIC photos.
- Keep JPG selected (or choose PNG) and pick a quality.
- Click Convert photos. One photo downloads as a JPG; several download together in a ZIP.
On a Mac: use Preview or Photos
Macs open HEIC files natively, so the built-in apps can convert them.
- Open the HEIC photo in Preview.
- Choose File, then Export.
- Set Format to JPEG, choose a quality, and click Save.
For several photos, open them all in Preview, select every thumbnail in the sidebar, then choose File, Export Selected Images, and set the format to JPEG under Options. In the Photos app, select the photos and choose File, Export, Export Photos, then pick JPEG as the photo kind.
On Windows
Windows can open HEIC photos only with the HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. The HEVC extension usually carries a small charge. Once they're installed, open the photo in Paint and choose File, Save as, JPEG picture.
If you'd rather not install anything, or you have a whole folder of photos, a browser converter like PDFJig is simpler.
On iPhone: stop the problem at the source
- To shoot future photos as JPG, go to Settings, Camera, Formats and choose Most Compatible.
- To have photos converted automatically when you copy them to a computer, go to Settings, Photos and set Transfer to Mac or PC to Automatic.
Tip: Most Compatible makes photos take up roughly twice the storage. If space on your iPhone is tight, keep HEIC and convert only the photos you need to share.
JPG or PNG?
Choose JPG for sharing, email and uploads: it opens everywhere and keeps files small. Choose PNG when you'll edit the image further and want no quality loss, at the cost of much larger files.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
Slightly, because JPG uses lossy compression. At high quality settings the difference isn't visible. Use PNG if you need a lossless copy.
Can I convert HEIC to JPG in bulk?
Yes. PDFJig converts as many photos as you add and downloads them together as a ZIP. On a Mac, Preview's Export Selected Images also handles batches.
Are HEIC and HEIF the same?
Yes. HEIF is the image format; HEIC is the name and file extension Apple uses for it. Tools that convert HEIC also convert .heif files.