Convert HEIC to JPG

HEIC is a HEIF-based format that Apple made the default photo format starting with the iPhone in 2017 (iOS 11). The reason comes down to efficiency: it can store a photo of the same visual quality in roughly half the size of a JPG, which saves space on the device and in your iCloud storage. On quality-per-byte alone, it genuinely is a more modern format than JPG.

The catch is compatibility. Outside Apple's ecosystem, HEIC support is still uneven. Windows Explorer previews, older image viewers, many web upload forms, and plenty of workplace or government submission systems can't read HEIC — you get a grey icon or an error instead. So while it's convenient inside your iPhone, the moment you need to send it to someone or upload it somewhere, JPG is what actually works.

If converting every time feels tedious, you can make your iPhone save photos as JPG from the start. Open Settings, go to Camera, then Formats, and choose "Most Compatible" instead of "High Efficiency." From then on, new photos are saved as JPG rather than HEIC. The trade-off is a slightly larger file at the same quality, so it comes down to storage versus compatibility.

There's also a fix for photos you've already shot in HEIC. Under Settings, Photos, at the bottom you'll find "Transfer to Mac or PC" — set it to "Automatic" and your iPhone converts to JPG on the fly when you move files over a cable. This tool is perfect for when you haven't changed those settings, or when you've already ended up with HEIC files and just need to turn them into JPG one at a time.

If you double-click a HEIC on a Windows PC and get "can't open this file," or the Photos app asks for a codec, you can install a paid extension from the Microsoft Store. But rather than chasing codecs every time, converting to JPG before you share is far more reliable and works everywhere.

It's a similar story on Android phones and older programs. Newer devices sometimes open HEIC, but you often can't know what environment the recipient is on. JPG has been the standard for over two decades, so it opens on practically every device, app, and upload dialog. If you're being considerate of whoever receives the file, sending JPG is the safest bet.