HEIC is Apple's newer photo format, and JPG is the older standard that works everywhere

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the format Apple uses by default when you take photos on an iPhone or iPad. JPG is the older format that nearly every device, website, and program can open. If you need to send a photo to someone, upload it to a website, or use it in a document, converting HEIC to JPG usually solves the problem — JPG works on Windows, Android, older phones, and web browsers without any extra steps.

The conversion itself is straightforward. You have three main routes: use your iPhone or Mac's built-in tools, use a free online converter, or use a desktop program. Which one you pick depends on how many photos you have and what device you're using right now.

Key Takeaways

  • On an iPhone, you can change the default camera format to JPG in Settings > Camera > Formats, so new photos save as JPG instead of HEIC.
  • On a Mac, you can right-click a HEIC photo, select "Quick Actions," and choose "Convert Image" to save it as JPG without installing anything.
  • Online converters like CloudConvert, Zamzar, or Online-Convert let you upload HEIC files and read JPG versions in seconds, with no software to install.
  • Windows does not open HEIC files natively, so if you're on Windows, an online converter or a free program like XnConvert is faster than trying to install Apple software.

Change your iPhone camera to shoot JPG from now on

If you want new photos to be JPG instead of HEIC, you can change this in your iPhone settings. Open Settings, tap Camera, then tap Formats. Select "Most Compatible" instead of "High Efficiency." From that point forward, every photo you take will save as JPG.

This is the easiest long-term fix if you regularly share photos or upload them to websites. The downside is that JPG files are larger than HEIC files, so they take up more space on your phone. If storage is tight, you might want to convert only the photos you actually need to share instead.

Photos you already took in HEIC will stay in HEIC format — this setting only affects new photos. To convert the old ones, use one of the methods below.

Convert existing photos on a Mac using Quick Actions

If you have a Mac, the fastest way to convert HEIC photos is built in. Find the HEIC photo in Finder, right-click it, and look for "Quick Actions" in the menu. Click "Convert Image," and a dialog box will appear asking what format you want. Select JPG, choose where to save it, and click Convert.

This works for one photo at a time, but you can speed it up by selecting multiple photos at once. Hold down Command and click each photo you want to convert, then right-click and use Quick Actions on all of them together. Mac will convert them all and save them in the same folder.

If you do not see "Convert Image" in the Quick Actions menu, your Mac is older and does not have this feature. In that case, use an online converter or the method below for Windows.

Use an online converter for any device

Online converters work on any device — iPhone, Mac, Windows, Android — because they run in your web browser. CloudConvert, Zamzar, and Online-Convert are three free options that handle HEIC files. Go to the website, click the upload button, select your HEIC photo, wait a few seconds, and read the JPG file.

Most online converters let you upload multiple files at once, so if you have 10 photos to convert, you can select all 10 and read them together. The process usually takes less than a minute per batch.

The trade-off is privacy: your photo travels to someone else's server to be converted. If the photo contains sensitive information, this is not the right choice. For private photos, use a tool on your own device instead.

Convert on Windows with a free desktop program

Windows does not recognize HEIC files natively, so you cannot right-click and convert the way you can on a Mac. Instead, read a free program like XnConvert or IrfanView, both of which open HEIC files and save them as JPG.

XnConvert is simpler if you have many photos. Open it, drag your HEIC files into the window, select JPG as the output format, choose where to save them, and click Convert. It processes all of them at once.

IrfanView is lighter and faster if you only have a few photos. Open the program, go to File > Open, select your HEIC photo, then go to File > Save As and choose JPG as the format.

Batch convert large numbers of photos

If you have 50 or 100 photos to convert, doing them one at a time is slow. On a Mac, use Automator to create a workflow that converts an entire folder at once. Open Automator, create a new "Folder Action," select the folder where your HEIC photos are, and add the "Convert Image" action. Set it to JPG and save. Any HEIC files you add to that folder will convert automatically.

On Windows, XnConvert is the fastest option. Drag an entire folder of HEIC files into it, set the output format to JPG, and it will convert everything in one batch.

Online converters also handle batches, though some have limits on how many files you can upload at once. Check the website's limits before you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the JPG look worse than the HEIC?

Not noticeably. HEIC is more efficient, meaning it stores the same image in a smaller file. When you convert to JPG, you lose that efficiency, but the visual quality is nearly identical for everyday photos. You would only see a difference if you zoomed in on fine details or printed a very large copy.

Can I convert HEIC to JPG on my iPhone without a computer?

Yes, use an online converter on your phone's web browser, or use the Shortcuts app. Open Shortcuts, create a new shortcut, add the "Convert Image" action, set it to JPG, and run it on your HEIC photos. It is more steps than using a Mac or Windows, but it works.

What if I want to keep the HEIC and also have a JPG copy?

All the methods above save a new JPG file without deleting the original HEIC. Your HEIC photo stays where it is, and you get a JPG version in the same folder or wherever you choose to save it.

Do I lose metadata like the date or location when I convert?

Usually not. Most converters preserve the metadata that is stored inside the photo file. However, some online converters strip it for privacy reasons. If the date and location matter, test with one photo first to see if your converter keeps it.