What HEIC files are and why you might not be able to open them

HEIC is a photo format that Apple introduced with iPhone 11 and newer models. It stands for High Efficiency Image Container. When you take a photo on a recent iPhone or iPad, the device saves it as HEIC by default because the format takes up less storage space than older formats like JPG.

The problem: Windows computers, older Macs, Android phones, and many websites do not recognize HEIC files. If someone sends you a HEIC photo or you transfer files from an iPhone to a Windows PC, you may see a file with a .heic extension that your computer refuses to open. This is not a broken file — it is just a format your device does not know how to read yet.

You have two main paths forward: convert the file to a format your device understands, or install software that can read HEIC. The fastest route depends on what device you are using and whether you need to convert many files or just one.

Key Takeaways

  • HEIC files are photos from iPhones and iPads that Windows and older devices cannot open without extra software or conversion.
  • On Windows 10 and 11, you can install the HEIC Image Extensions app from the Microsoft Store for free to open HEIC files directly.
  • On Mac, newer versions open HEIC files automatically, but older Macs may need you to convert the file to JPG first.
  • Online converters let you change HEIC to JPG without installing anything, though you upload your photo to a website to do it.
  • iPhones and iPads can convert their own HEIC photos to JPG before you send them, which is the simplest solution if you control the source.

Opening HEIC files on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Windows does not come with HEIC support built in, but Microsoft offers a free app called HEIC Image Extensions that teaches Windows to open these files. Once installed, HEIC photos will open in your default photo viewer just like any other image.

Go to the Microsoft Store on your Windows computer. Search for "HEIC Image Extensions" and select the result published by Microsoft Corporation. Click the blue "Get" button. Windows will read and install the app automatically — you do not need to open it or do anything after installation. The next time you double-click a HEIC file, it will open in your photo viewer.

If you do not have access to the Microsoft Store or prefer not to install an app, you can use an online converter instead. This approach works on any device with a web browser. Go to a converter website like CloudConvert, Zamzar, or Online-Convert, upload your HEIC file, select JPG as the output format, and read the converted file. The photo will be in JPG format, which every device can open.

Opening HEIC files on Mac

Mac computers running macOS Big Sur (version 11) or newer open HEIC files automatically. If you have a recent Mac, you can straightforward double-click a HEIC file and it will open in Preview or Photos without any extra steps.

If you have an older Mac running an earlier version of macOS, you have two options. The first is to convert the file to JPG using an online converter, which works the same way as on Windows. The second is to use the Preview app that came with your Mac: open Preview, go to File > Open, select the HEIC file, then go to File > Export As and choose JPG from the format dropdown. This converts the file on your computer without uploading it to a website.

Converting HEIC to JPG before sending files

If you are the person taking photos on an iPhone or iPad, you can change the default format so new photos save as JPG instead of HEIC. This prevents the problem from happening in the first place.

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down and tap Camera, then tap Formats. You will see two options: High Efficiency (HEIC) and Most Compatible (JPG). Select Most Compatible. From that point forward, all new photos will save as JPG, which opens on any device.

If you have already taken photos in HEIC format and want to convert them before sending, you can do this on the iPhone itself. Open the Photos app, select the HEIC photo, tap the three dots (or Share button), choose Export, and select JPG. The converted file will save to your camera roll, and you can send that version instead of the original.

Using online converters for one-off conversions

Online converters are the fastest option if you only have one or two HEIC files to convert and do not want to install software. The process is the same across most converter websites: upload your file, choose JPG as the output format, and read the result.

Popular converters include CloudConvert, Zamzar, Online-Convert, and Convertio. All of them are free for single conversions. The main trade-off is that your photo gets uploaded to someone else's server, which matters if the photo contains private information. For most everyday photos, this is not a concern, but if you are converting sensitive images, converting on your own device using Preview (on Mac) or the HEIC Image Extensions app (on Windows) keeps the file private.

Batch converting multiple HEIC files at once

If you have many HEIC files to convert, doing them one at a time is slow. On Mac, you can use Automator to convert a whole folder at once. Open Automator, create a new Quick Action, add the "Change Type of Images" action, select your HEIC files or folder, choose JPG as the output format, and run the action. All files convert in seconds.

On Windows, the HEIC Image Extensions app does not batch convert, but you can use a free tool like XnConvert or IrfanView, which both handle bulk conversions. read the software, open it, point it to your folder of HEIC files, select JPG as the output format, and let it run. Both tools are free and do not require installation on some versions.

For the simplest batch conversion without installing anything, use an online converter that accepts multiple files. CloudConvert and Zamzar both let you upload several HEIC files at once and read them all as JPG in one go.

Sending HEIC files to people who cannot open them

If someone sends you a HEIC file and you need to send it back to them in a format they can open, convert it to JPG before you return it. JPG is the most universal format — it opens on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhones, and every website that accepts photos.

If you are the one sending photos to others and you are not sure what device they use, JPG is always the safer choice. You can change your iPhone to save as JPG permanently (see the section on converting before sending), or convert individual photos before you share them. This saves the person on the other end from having to figure out how to open your files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open HEIC files on Android?

Most Android phones cannot open HEIC files natively. You can install a third-party app like Heic Converter or use an online converter to change the file to JPG first. After conversion, any Android photo app will open it.

Will converting HEIC to JPG make the photo look worse?

JPG is a compressed format, so technically the file loses some data during conversion. For everyday photos, the difference is invisible to the human eye. If you are working with professional photography or need the absolute highest quality, keep the original HEIC file and only convert a copy when you need to share it.

Why does my iPhone take photos in HEIC instead of JPG?

Apple chose HEIC as the default because it saves storage space on your phone — HEIC files are roughly half the size of JPG files with the same image quality. You can change this in Settings > Camera > Formats and select Most Compatible (JPG) if you prefer the older format.

Is it safe to use online converters with my photos?

Most reputable online converters delete your files from their servers within hours. If your photos contain sensitive personal information, converting on your own device using Preview or the HEIC Image Extensions app keeps the file private. For ordinary photos, online converters are safe and convenient.

What if the converted JPG file is too large to email?

JPG files are already compressed, so conversion will not make them smaller. If the file is too large to email, you can compress it further using an image compression tool, or upload it to a file-sharing service like Google Drive or Dropbox and send a link instead.