What a HEIC file is
HEIC is the photo format iPhones and iPads have used by default since iOS 11. It's Apple's take on HEIF, the High Efficiency Image File Format, and it stores photos at roughly half the size of a JPG with similar quality.
The catch is support. Many Windows PCs, Android phones, websites, online forms and older apps can't open HEIC files, or ask you to install something first. JPG opens everywhere, which is why converting is often the easiest fix.
How this converter works
Your photos are decoded and saved again as JPG or PNG inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded, so it's safe for private photos, and it works on a phone as well as a computer.
Safari can read HEIC on its own, so there it's quick. In other browsers, a HEIC decoder is loaded the first time you add a photo, which takes a few seconds. Photos are converted one at a time so a big batch doesn't run your device out of memory.
JPG or PNG, and which quality
JPG is the right choice for almost every photo. At 90% quality it looks the same as the original to the eye, and the files stay a sensible size. Lower the quality if you need smaller files for email or a form with an upload limit.
PNG is lossless, so nothing more is lost in the conversion, but photos come out several times bigger. Pick it only if you plan to edit the picture again.
Stop your iPhone saving HEIC
If you always need JPGs, you can change what your iPhone saves or sends:
- Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible saves new photos as JPG. Files are bigger, and a few camera features only work with High Efficiency.
- Settings > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC > Automatic converts photos to JPG when you copy them to a computer over a cable.
- Sharing a photo by email or to many apps often converts it to JPG for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert HEIC to JPG for free?
Add your HEIC photos above and pick JPG. Each one is converted in your browser, and you can download them singly or as one zip. There's no sign-up or limit.
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
A little, since JPG is a lossy format, but at 90% quality the difference is very hard to see. The JPG will usually be larger than the HEIC file.
Can I convert lots of HEIC photos at once?
Yes. Add as many as you like. They convert one after another, and Download all saves them together as a zip file.
Are my photos uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs in your browser, so your photos never leave your device.
Does the JPG keep the date and location?
No. The converted file is made from the pixels only, so hidden details like the date taken, camera and GPS location aren't copied over.
How do I stop my iPhone taking HEIC photos?
Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos are then saved as JPG instead of HEIC.