How to Convert HEIC Photos to JPG
You send a photo from your iPhone to a Windows computer and it will not open, or a website refuses to accept it. The reason is almost always the file format. Recent iPhones save photos as HEIC, and not every program understands it. Here is what HEIC is and how to turn it into a normal JPG.
What is HEIC?
HEIC is the format Apple uses by default for photos on recent iPhones and iPads. It stores the same picture in a smaller file than JPG, which saves storage space on the phone. The downside is compatibility. Many older programs, websites and some operating systems cannot open or upload HEIC files.
Option 1: convert the photos you already have
- Open the HEIC to JPG tool.
- Upload one or more HEIC photos (up to 20 MB each).
- Press Generate and wait a few seconds.
- Download your JPG files and check them.
The photo orientation is taken into account, so pictures taken in portrait or landscape should appear the right way up.
Option 2: make the iPhone save JPG from now on
If you prefer to avoid conversions altogether, you can change the camera setting. On an iPhone, open Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG. The files are a little larger, but they open everywhere.
Need a PDF instead?
If you want to put the photos into a document, the HEIC to PDF tool turns your photos into a PDF, with one photo on each page.
Tips for good results
- Keep the originals. Convert copies, and keep the HEIC files if you want the best quality and smallest size on your phone.
- Convert only what you need. Select the photos you plan to share, not the whole library.
- Check the result. Open the converted photos and look at them before you delete anything.
- Need a smaller file? Run the JPG through the Image Compressor or resize it with the Image Resizer.
Why not just rename the file?
Changing the file name from .heic to .jpg does not convert anything. The data inside is still HEIC, so most programs will still fail to open it. A real conversion rewrites the picture in the new format.
With a quick conversion, your iPhone photos will open on any computer, upload to any website, and print without trouble.