In recent years, Apple has discreetly switched its default photo format to HEIC. There's nothing wrong with this extremely efficient format (HEIC): It powers Live Photos and Apple's superior image post-processing while taking up less space than JPG.
While HEIC works well for exchanging photos with other Apple devices, it fails when you need to upload a photo to an online form or open it on Windows. It's commonly incompatible and won't open.
There are several options for dealing with this. You can use our workaround to convert HEIC images to JPG (or JPEG) on your iPhone, or you can go back to shooting in JPG. If you already have the photo on your Mac or Windows PC, we have some choices for converting HEIC to JPG.
1. What is HEIC format?
A HEIC file compresses and stores photos on a variety of devices by utilizing High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). A HEIC file is a variant of the HEIF (High-Efficiency Image Format) used in the most recent Apple products.
If you use Windows or Android devices and want to ensure that your photographs are in JPG format, follow the steps outlined below. To make JPEG the default capture format for all future images, go to the Settings app and change it.
2. The difference between HEIC and JPEG formats
Let us simply compare the HEIC and JPEG formats.
The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) developed HEIC, a container format that uses powerful compression algorithms to reduce file size while keeping image quality.
On the other hand, JPEG is a popular image format that provides good compression but compromises image quality.
3. Start shooting in JPG instead of HEIC
If you don't like the HEIC format, you should first change the Camera app's default format to JPG. Go to Settings > Photos > Formats and select the "Most Compatible" option. Now, any new images you take will be saved in JPG format, making them much easier to share anywhere.
There's also a special feature in Settings that automatically converts photographs to JPG when shared with Windows or Mac but retains them as HEIC on the iPhone (saving storage space). To enable this feature, navigate to Settings > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC and select "Automatic.".
4. The Best Ways for HEIC to JPG Conversion
4.1 Use the HEIC to JPG Converter to convert HEIC files to JPG or PNG format
Using the web tool to convert HEIC to JPG is a simple process. There will be no issues when converting HEIC files to JPG format. Simply perform the actions listed below.
The HEIC to JPG converter makes it simple to convert image formats. Just take these three simple steps.
- Upload or drag and drop your HEIC image into the input field.
- The utility will convert your file to JPG format.
- Click the "Download" button to start downloading the file.
4.2 Convert HEIC to JPG with the HEIC Converter App
One of the simplest ways to convert HEIC files to JPG is to utilize specialized HEIC Converter software. These apps are designed exclusively to convert HEIC files from your device's photo library to JPG format. Here are the steps for converting HEIC to JPG with a HEIC converter:
- Download the HEIC Converter app from the App Store. There are other options, including "HEIC Converter," "iMazing HEIC Converter," and "iConvertHEIC."
- Launch the HEIC Converter app and allow it to access your photos.
- Select the HEIC files you want to convert to JPG.
- Select JPG as the output format.
- Tap the "Convert" button and wait for the application to finish the conversion.
- Each HEIC file will be converted into a separate JPG file.
4.3 Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac
You don't have to worry about this if your iPhone or iPad is set to automatically convert photos to JPG before sending them to your Mac. However, you can convert HEIC pictures on your Mac. Several tools support HEIC and can convert it to JPG, but the Preview software is the most straightforward.
- Open Preview and select the HEIC photo to convert.
- Click File, then Export from the menu.
- Select JPG from the format menu.
- Select Save.
4.4 Easily convert a HEIC image to JPG with the Files app.
The Files app provides the quickest way to convert HEIC photos to JPG. (There's no need to trust a third-party program.)
- All it takes is a simple copy and paste: Open the Photos app on your iPhone and choose the photos you wish to convert.
- Then, hit the Share icon and select "Copy Photos."
- Go to the Files app, select the On My iPhone location, and then create a new folder.
- Tap and hold a space, then select the "Paste" button.
- The HEIC photographs will now appear in JPEG format, and you can share them in any app you wish.
- If you wish to restore them to the Photos app as JPEG files, hit the Share button and select "Save Image."
4.5 Convert HEIC to JPG on a Windows PC
If you have any HEIC photographs from your iPad or iPhone on your Windows computer, don't panic; the Photos software will convert them to JPG.
- When you right-click the HEIC image, select "Open with" from the context menu, followed by "Photos."
- To access additional options, click the three horizontal dots in the top menu and select Save as
- Select.jpg from the Save as type dropdown menu.
- Press the Save button.
5. Final Thoughts
Nowadays, converting pictures from HEIC to JPG is simple. Each platform offers numerous possibilities for you to pick from. If you wish to transfer several photographs to devices that do not support HEIC photos, you can utilize the Files app to convert the formats. If you wish to convert HEIC photos to JPG on a PC and the images include sensitive information, use a third-party tool that does not require a network connection.