3 ways to convert iPhone HEIC photos to JPG
You copy photos from your iPhone to a PC and the files are named IMG_1234.HEIC. They will not open with a double-click, and work systems, online stores and government sites refuse to upload them. Here is what HEIC is and three ways to convert it to JPG depending on your situation.
What is HEIC?
HEIC is the default photo format on iPhones. At the same quality it is close to half the size of a JPG, which saves storage on your phone. The catch is compatibility. Recent Macs and iPhones handle it fine, but the default Windows photo app, older programs and many website upload forms still do not.
Method 1. Convert right in your browser
If you cannot install software, for example on a work PC, a browser converter is the quickest option. The tool below converts to JPG inside your own browser without sending photos to a server. Add many at once and download a single ZIP.
- Drag in your HEIC photos or use the file picker.
- Choose JPG. A quality of around 90% is plenty.
- Press Download all as ZIP and you are done.
Each photo takes 1 to 3 seconds because decoding HEIC is heavy work. For hundreds of photos, splitting them into a few batches is more reliable.
Method 2. Convert automatically when transferring
At the bottom of Settings > Photos on your iPhone, set Transfer to Mac or PC to Automatic. Photos are then converted to JPG when you copy them to a PC over a cable. Photos sent by email or most messaging apps are usually converted to JPG as well. If you want to archive the originals untouched, choose Keep Originals instead.
Method 3. Shoot JPG from now on
In Settings > Camera > Formats, choose Most Compatible and new photos are saved as JPG. Each photo takes more space, so storage fills up faster. If you have room and often move photos to a PC, this is the easiest option.
Things to check after converting
- File size: JPG files are larger. If there is an upload limit, shrink them once more with the image compressor.
- Photo data: Converting in the browser drops EXIF data such as location. That is actually reassuring when posting publicly.
- Live Photos: Only the still image is converted. The motion part is left out.
In short: use the browser converter for a few photos now and then, the iPhone transfer setting if you move photos to a PC often, and the camera format setting if compatibility matters most.