A HEIC file is a photo format that Apple devices use to store images in less space than older formats

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It is the default format that iPhones, iPads, and newer Mac computers use when you take a photo. The main reason Apple switched to HEIC is file size — a HEIC photo takes up roughly half the storage space of the same photo saved as a JPG, which means your phone can hold more pictures before running out of room.

The catch is that HEIC files do not open on older devices or in many common programs. If you try to email a HEIC photo to someone with an Android phone or an older computer, they may not be able to open it. This is why understanding what HEIC is and how to work with it matters if you use an Apple device.

Key Takeaways

  • HEIC is Apple's newer photo format that saves space compared to JPG, the older standard format most devices recognize.
  • iPhones and iPads automatically save photos as HEIC by default, but you can change this setting to JPG if you need to share photos with non-Apple devices.
  • Many older computers, Android phones, and email programs cannot open HEIC files without conversion or special software.
  • You can convert HEIC files to JPG on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad using built-in tools, or use free online converters if you do not have an Apple device.

Why Apple created HEIC instead of using JPG

JPG has been the standard photo format for decades. It works on almost every device and in every program. But JPG files are large, and as phone cameras improved, the file sizes grew. Apple needed a way to store high-quality photos without filling up storage space so quickly.

HEIC compresses photos more efficiently than JPG does. This means a HEIC photo can look just as sharp and detailed as a JPG photo but take up half the space on your device. For someone taking hundreds of photos on their phone, this difference adds up fast. A phone with 128 GB of storage can hold roughly twice as many HEIC photos as JPG photos.

The trade-off is compatibility. Because HEIC is newer, older devices and programs do not recognize it. Apple made this choice knowing that most people share photos within the Apple ecosystem — between iPhones, iPads, and Macs — where HEIC works fine. But if you share photos with people who use Android phones or older computers, problems arise.

How to change your iPhone or iPad to save photos as JPG instead

If you want your photos to open on any device without conversion, you can tell your iPhone or iPad to save new photos as JPG. Open the Settings app, tap Camera, scroll down to Formats, and select Most Compatible. From that point forward, new photos will save as JPG instead of HEIC.

Keep in mind that this uses more storage space. If you are running low on storage, switching to JPG will fill up your phone faster. You can also leave the setting on HEIC and convert photos to JPG only when you need to share them — this keeps your phone storage efficient while still letting you send photos to anyone.

Photos you already took in HEIC format will stay in HEIC format. Changing this setting only affects new photos going forward.

How to convert HEIC files to JPG on a Mac

If you have a Mac, the easiest way to convert HEIC photos is to use the Preview app, which comes built into every Mac. Open Preview, go to File, then Open, and select the HEIC photo you want to convert. Once the photo is open, click File again, then Export, and choose JPEG from the Format dropdown menu. Save the file with a new name, and you now have a JPG version.

You can also convert multiple photos at once using Automator, which is a more advanced Mac tool, but Preview is simpler if you only have a few photos to convert.

How to convert HEIC files to JPG on an iPhone or iPad

Your iPhone or iPad can convert HEIC photos to JPG using the Files app. Open Files, find the HEIC photo, press and hold it, tap Copy, then navigate to a folder where you want to save it. Press and hold an empty space, tap Paste, and the photo will paste as a JPG.

This method works but feels clunky. A simpler approach is to use a free app from the App Store designed for HEIC conversion — search for "HEIC converter" and you will find several options that let you select multiple photos and convert them all at once.

How to convert HEIC files on a Windows computer or Android phone

Windows computers do not have built-in HEIC support, so you will need either a free converter app or an online tool. CloudConvert and Online-Convert are two free websites where you can upload a HEIC file and read it back as JPG. straightforward go to the website, click Upload, select your HEIC photo, choose JPG as the output format, and read the converted file.

Android phones also cannot open HEIC files natively. If someone sends you a HEIC photo, you can use the same online converters, or ask the person who sent it to convert it to JPG first. Some Android apps claim to open HEIC files, but the online converters are usually faster and do not require installing anything.

When you might encounter HEIC files and what to do

You will most likely encounter HEIC files if someone with an iPhone sends you photos by email or text message. If you cannot open the file, it is because your device does not recognize HEIC. The person who sent it can convert the photos to JPG before sending them, or you can use an online converter to convert them yourself.

Some cloud storage services like Google Photos and iCloud automatically convert HEIC to JPG when you upload photos, so if you use cloud storage, the conversion may happen without you doing anything. Check your cloud service settings to see whether it converts formats automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a HEIC file on my Android phone?

Most Android phones cannot open HEIC files directly. If someone sends you a HEIC photo, ask them to convert it to JPG first, or use a free online converter like CloudConvert to convert it yourself. Some Android apps claim HEIC support, but they are not always reliable.

Will converting HEIC to JPG make the photo look worse?

No. The photo will look the same to your eye. Both formats compress the image, but HEIC compresses it more efficiently. When you convert HEIC to JPG, you are just changing the container the photo sits in, not the actual picture data.

Why does my iPhone keep saving photos as HEIC if I want JPG?

Check your Camera settings. Go to Settings, tap Camera, scroll to Formats, and make sure Most Compatible is selected. If it is already selected, your new photos should save as JPG. If it is not selected, tap it to turn it on.

Is HEIC better than JPG?

HEIC is more efficient — it saves space while keeping the same image quality. But JPG is more compatible with older devices and programs. Which one is better depends on whether you value storage space or the ability to share photos with anyone.

Do I need special software to convert HEIC files?

No. You can use free online converters, or use built-in tools on Mac and iPhone. Windows users and Android users will need either an online converter or a free app, but nothing costs money.