What Is HEIC Format?
HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. Apple introduced it with iOS 11 in 2017 as the default format for iPhone and iPad photos. HEIC is based on the HEVC (H.265) video codec and offers roughly twice the compression efficiency of JPEG — meaning a HEIC photo at equivalent quality is about half the file size of a JPEG.
That sounds great, but there is a catch: HEIC is not universally supported. Windows 10 (without a paid codec), older Android devices, most social media upload tools, and the majority of web services cannot open HEIC files natively. Converting to JPG solves the compatibility problem.
Why Your iPhone Saves in HEIC
Apple uses HEIC as the default because it saves storage space on your device. A 12-megapixel HEIC photo typically takes 3–4 MB, while the same photo in JPEG might take 6–8 MB. For a phone with hundreds or thousands of photos, this doubles effective storage capacity.
HEIC also preserves more image data than JPEG — it supports wider colour gamut, 16-bit depth, and multiple images in a single file (like Live Photos). For everyday photography, however, universal compatibility matters more than these technical advantages.
How to Stop Your iPhone Taking HEIC Photos
If you want your iPhone to shoot in JPEG automatically going forward:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap Camera
- Tap Formats
- Select Most Compatible instead of High Efficiency
Your iPhone will now save photos as JPEG. You will use slightly more storage, but your photos will open everywhere without conversion. This is the simplest long-term fix.
How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows
Windows 11 added native HEIC support, but you need the HEVC Video Extensions codec (paid, from the Microsoft Store). A free alternative:
- Transfer the HEIC file to your PC via USB or iCloud
- Use an online HEIC to JPG converter — upload, convert, download
- Or install the free iMazing HEIC Converter desktop app
How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac
Mac supports HEIC natively since macOS High Sierra. To export as JPEG:
- Open the HEIC file in Preview
- Go to File → Export
- Choose JPEG from the Format dropdown
- Set quality (85 is a good default) and click Save
For batch conversion, select multiple HEIC files in Finder, open them all in Preview, then use File → Export Selected Images to convert many at once.
How to Convert HEIC to JPG Online
Online converters are the fastest option when you just need a quick conversion without installing software:
- Open an online image converter that supports HEIC input
- Upload your HEIC file(s)
- Select JPG as the output format
- Download the converted file
For privacy-sensitive photos, choose a converter that processes files in the browser without uploading to a server, or use a local tool instead.
Does Converting HEIC to JPG Lose Quality?
Yes, there is a small quality loss. HEIC to JPEG conversion involves re-encoding — the HEIC is decoded to a raw image and then re-encoded as JPEG. Compression artefacts from JPEG encoding are introduced. To minimise quality loss, use a high JPEG quality setting (85–95) when exporting. The resulting JPEG file will be larger than the original HEIC but visually very close.
Bulk Converting Many HEIC Files
If you have hundreds of iPhone photos to convert:
- Mac Preview: Select all in Finder → Open in Preview → File → Export Selected Images → JPEG
- iMazing HEIC Converter (free, Windows/Mac): Drag and drop entire folders for batch conversion
- ImageMagick (command line):
mogrify -format jpg *.heic - Photos app (Mac): File → Export → Export Photos → JPEG format
HEIC vs JPG: Which Should You Use?
Use HEIC when: you are staying in the Apple ecosystem, storage space is limited, and you do not need to share photos outside Apple devices.
Use JPG when: you need to share photos on social media, upload to websites, send to non-Apple users, print at a copy shop, or use in any non-Apple application.
The practical answer for most people: keep HEIC on your phone for storage efficiency, but convert to JPG before sharing or uploading anywhere.