HEIC is the photo format iPhones and iPads use by default. It saves space, but Windows, many websites and older apps cannot open it. To convert HEIC to JPG, open the photos in the free HEIC to JPG converter, click Convert to JPG and download the results. It runs in your browser, so personal photos are not uploaded, and it handles one photo or a whole batch.
What is a HEIC file?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) stores a photo at about half the size of a JPG of similar quality. iPhones have used it for the camera since iOS 11. The catch is compatibility: a HEIC file may not open in Windows Photos without an extra extension, may be rejected by upload forms, and may not preview in email or on older devices. JPG opens everywhere, which is why people convert.
Step by step
1. Get the photos onto your computer
If the photos are still on your iPhone, copy them first: with a cable and the Windows Photos app, Image Capture or Photos on a Mac, AirDrop, or by downloading them from iCloud Photos. You can also convert directly on the iPhone in the browser by choosing the photos from your library or the Files app.
2. Open the converter
Go to HEIC to JPG and click Choose HEIC photos, or drop .heic or .heif files onto the page. Add more with Add images; Clear empties the list.
3. Choose the format and quality
Under Convert to, keep JPG for small files that open everywhere. Choose PNG if you want a lossless copy for editing, at a much larger file size; the HEIC to PNG page starts with PNG selected.
For JPG, choose a JPG quality:
- High is the default and looks the same as the original for normal viewing.
- Maximum keeps the most detail, for printing or further editing.
- Medium (smaller files) is enough for sharing on screen.
4. Convert and download
Click Convert to JPG. A single photo downloads as a JPG; several photos are saved together in a ZIP file. Unzip it with your computer’s built-in extract option.
Making the JPGs smaller
Photos from a modern iPhone are large, often several megabytes each even as JPG. If an upload form has a limit, such as 500 KB or 100 KB, run the converted JPGs through Compress Image:
- Choose the JPG files.
- Under Compress by, choose Quality and pick Light, Recommended or Strong, or choose Target size and enter the maximum size in KB.
- Click Compress and download the results.
With a target size, the quality is lowered step by step until the image fits, and the dimensions are reduced only if that is not enough. The compress to 100 KB page has that size ready.
Tips for better results
- Convert only what you need to share. Keep the original HEIC files as your archive; they are smaller and keep the full colour range.
- Use High quality for most photos. Maximum produces larger files with little visible difference.
- Know what is removed. The converted JPG does not keep EXIF data, so the GPS location, camera model and date taken are not included. That is good for privacy when you post photos online, but the date is no longer stored inside the file. The photo is still turned the right way up.
- Live Photos convert as a still picture; the short video part is not included.
Common problems and fixes
My file ends in .HEIC but will not open
Some cameras and apps write HEIC variants that not every decoder reads, and a damaged transfer can also break a file. Try an up-to-date Chrome, Edge or Safari, or copy the photo from the iPhone again.
The colours look a little less vivid
iPhones save photos in the wide Display P3 colour range. When a JPG is saved, the browser converts the colours to standard sRGB, which can make very saturated colours look slightly less intense on wide-colour screens. On most screens the difference is hard to see.
I renamed the file to .jpg and it still will not open
Renaming does not convert a photo. Use the original .heic file in the converter.
Alternatives
- Change the iPhone camera setting. Go to Settings, Camera, Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos are then saved as JPG (and videos as H.264), at the cost of larger files.
- Let the iPhone convert when transferring. Under Settings, Photos, Transfer to Mac or PC, choose Automatic. Photos copied to a computer by cable are converted to a compatible format on the way.
- On a Mac, open the photo in Preview and choose File, Export, then JPEG. The Photos app can also export selected photos as JPEG.
- On Windows, the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store let Windows Photos open HEIC files; some photos also need the HEVC Video Extensions, which may cost a small fee. Once a photo opens, you can save a copy as JPG.
FAQ
Are my photos uploaded?
No. The photos are decoded and converted by your own browser and never sent to a server. Browsers without built-in HEIC support load a decoder from this site the first time.
Can I convert many photos at once?
Yes. Add as many as you like. Several photos are downloaded together as a ZIP file.
Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
Saving as JPG compresses the image again. At the default High quality the difference is very hard to see. Choose Maximum or PNG if you plan to edit the photos.
Is HEIC better than JPG?
For storing photos, HEIC is more efficient. For sharing, JPG is more compatible. Many people keep HEIC on the phone and convert only the photos they send.