HEIC is Apple's newer photo format that takes up less storage space but doesn't work on Windows or older devices

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It is the default photo format on iPhones and iPads running iOS 11 or later. When you take a photo on a newer Apple device, it saves as .heic instead of the older .jpg format that works on almost every computer and phone.

The main reason Apple switched: HEIC files are roughly half the size of JPG files while keeping the same image quality. This means your phone stores twice as many photos before running out of space. The trade-off is that HEIC files only work on Apple devices and newer computers — Windows machines, Android phones, and older Macs cannot open them without conversion.

Key Takeaways

  • HEIC is Apple's photo format that saves storage space but does not work on Windows computers or Android phones without conversion.
  • You can change your iPhone camera settings to shoot in JPG instead of HEIC if you need photos that work everywhere.
  • If you receive HEIC files from someone else, you can convert them to JPG using free online tools or your computer's built-in software.
  • Older iPhones and iPads use JPG by default, so HEIC only matters if you own a device from 2017 or later.

Why Apple chose HEIC over JPG

JPG has been the standard photo format for decades. It works on every device, every operating system, and every website. But JPG is old — it was created in 1992 — and newer compression methods can do better.

HEIC uses a compression method called HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding). It squeezes more image information into a smaller file. A typical iPhone photo in HEIC is about 2 to 3 megabytes. The same photo in JPG is about 4 to 6 megabytes. Over hundreds of photos, this adds up: HEIC can save 30 to 50 percent of your phone's storage.

The problem is that HEVC is newer and requires licensing fees. Microsoft and Google have been slow to add support to Windows and Android. So while HEIC saves you storage on your phone, it creates friction when you try to use those photos anywhere else.

How to change your iPhone to shoot in JPG instead

If you want photos that work on any device, you can tell your iPhone to save in JPG format. Go to Settings, then Camera, then Formats. You will see two options: High Efficiency and Most Compatible. Tap Most Compatible, and your phone will shoot in JPG from that point forward.

The trade-off is real: your phone will use more storage. A year of photos in JPG instead of HEIC might cost you 5 to 10 gigabytes of space, depending on how many photos you take. If you have a newer iPhone with 256 GB or more, this is usually not a problem. If you have an older iPhone with 64 GB, it matters.

You can also change this setting per-photo. When you open the Camera app, swipe left to see the Formats button. Tap it to switch between HEIC and JPG for just that shot. This is useful if you are sending a photo to someone you know uses Windows or Android.

Converting HEIC files to JPG on your computer

If you already have HEIC files on your computer and need to convert them, the method depends on what operating system you use.

On a Mac: Open the HEIC file in Preview (the built-in image viewer). Go to File, then Export. In the Format dropdown, select JPEG. Click Save, and you now have a JPG version of the same photo.

On Windows: Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC files natively, but converting them requires a third-party tool. The free option is CloudConvert (cloudconvert.com). Upload your HEIC file, select JPG as the output format, and read the converted file. Another option is the free HEIC Image Converter app from the Microsoft Store, which converts files in bulk.

Online conversion: If you do not want to install software, Convertio (convertio.co) and Online-Convert (online-convert.com) both accept HEIC uploads and convert to JPG for free. Upload your file, wait 30 seconds to a minute, and read the result.

When HEIC matters and when it does not

HEIC only affects you if you own an iPhone or iPad from 2017 or later. Older devices use JPG by default. If you have an iPhone 6s or earlier, your photos are already in JPG and work everywhere.

HEIC also does not matter if you upload photos to the cloud. Google Photos, iCloud, OneDrive, and Dropbox all accept HEIC files and convert them automatically for viewing on other devices. You can take HEIC photos on your iPhone, upload them to Google Photos, and view them on an Android phone without any extra steps.

The real friction happens when you try to email HEIC files to someone with Windows, or when you try to edit them in software that does not support the format. Older versions of Photoshop, Lightroom, and Windows Photo Viewer cannot open HEIC files. If you work with photos professionally or regularly share them with people on Windows, shooting in JPG is simpler than converting later.

What HEIF means and how it differs from HEIC

You may see the terms HEIF and HEIC used interchangeably, but they are slightly different. HEIF stands for High Efficiency Image Format — it is the broader standard. HEIC is a specific type of HEIF file that contains a single image. HEIF can also contain multiple images, animations, or image sequences in one file.

For your purposes, this distinction does not matter. When your iPhone saves a photo, it uses HEIC. When you convert it, you convert HEIC to JPG. The HEIF term mostly appears in technical documentation and software settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open HEIC files on my Android phone?

Not directly. Android does not support HEIC natively. You can convert HEIC to JPG using an online tool, then open the JPG file. Alternatively, some Android apps like Google Photos can display HEIC files if you upload them to the cloud first, but the app itself cannot open a local HEIC file.

Why does my iPhone send HEIC files when I email photos?

Your iPhone is set to High Efficiency format in the Camera settings. Change it to Most Compatible (JPG) in Settings > Camera > Formats. If you want to keep HEIC for storage but send JPG by email, you can convert individual photos before attaching them, or use the Mail app's built-in compression feature.

Will websites accept HEIC files if I upload them?

Most websites do not. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Gmail all convert HEIC to JPG automatically, so you can upload HEIC and it will work. But smaller websites, document upload forms, and some older platforms may reject HEIC files. If an upload fails, convert to JPG first.

Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce image quality?

No. HEIC and JPG are both lossy formats, meaning they discard some image data to save space. When you convert HEIC to JPG, you are not losing quality a second time — you are just translating the same image into a different format. The quality stays the same.

Is HEIC ever going to become the standard?

Unlikely in the near term. Microsoft and Google have not prioritized HEIC support because it requires licensing fees and offers only modest storage savings for most users. JPG remains the universal standard. HEIC is useful on Apple devices, but JPG is still the safest choice if you need photos that work everywhere.