How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Any Device

Since iOS 11, iPhones save photos in HEIC format by default. While HEIC is excellent for storage (50% smaller than JPEG), it's not universally supported by Windows, Android, or most web services. Here's how to convert HEIC photos to JPG using any device.

Why iPhones Use HEIC

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) uses Apple's implementation of the HEIF standard, which uses the same compression technology as H.265 (HEVC) video. This allows photos that look identical to JPEG at roughly half the file size. An iPhone photo that would be 4MB as a JPEG is often just 1.5–2MB as HEIC. For users of older iPhones with limited storage, this is a significant benefit.

Method 1: Prevent HEIC on iPhone

The easiest fix is to stop your iPhone from shooting HEIC in the first place. Go to Settings → Camera → Formats and select "Most Compatible". Your iPhone will now save photos as standard JPEG. This affects future photos only — existing HEIC files won't change.

Method 2: Convert on Mac

macOS natively supports HEIC. Open your HEIC file in Preview, then go to File → Export and choose JPEG from the format dropdown. Adjust quality as needed and save. Alternatively, you can AirDrop photos from your iPhone to your Mac — macOS automatically converts HEIC to JPEG during the AirDrop transfer.

Method 3: Convert on Windows

Windows 10/11 requires an extension to open HEIC files. Open the Microsoft Store and install HEIC Image Extensions (free) and HEIF Image Extensions. After installing, you can open HEIC files in the Photos app and save them as JPEG. Alternatively, use Windows Photos app → Edit & Create → Save a copy to get a JPEG output.

Method 4: Use iCloud.com

Visit iCloud.com/photos from any browser, select your HEIC photos, and click Download. iCloud automatically converts HEIC to JPEG when downloading photos to a non-Apple device. This is the most convenient method for bulk conversions without any software installation.