How to change HEIC to JPG on iPhone (new and old photos)

What is HEIC and why does iPhone use it?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the photo format iPhone has used by default since iOS 11. It stores the same photo at roughly half the file size of a JPG, so your iPhone and iCloud fill up more slowly. It also supports things JPG cannot, such as Live Photos and wider color. The problem is compatibility: some Windows PCs, older Android phones, websites and printing kiosks will not open HEIC files.

Should you switch to JPG?

For most people, no. iPhone already converts photos to JPG when you share them to places that need it. Switch to Most Compatible only if you often move photos to a Windows PC, upload to websites that reject HEIC, or edit in software that cannot open it. The cost is storage. A typical 12 megapixel photo might be around 1 to 2 MB as HEIC and 2 to 4 MB as JPG, though sizes vary a lot with the scene.

Convert existing photos with the Files app

1. Open Photos and tap Select, then tap the photos you want.
2. Tap the Share button and choose Copy Photos (or Copy Photo for one).
3. Open the Files app and choose On My iPhone or an iCloud Drive folder.
4. Touch and hold an empty space in the folder and tap Paste.
5. Tap a pasted file and check the name. It should end in .jpg.

If the pasted files still end in .heic, try Save to Files from the Share menu instead, or use the Shortcuts method below. Results can differ between iOS versions.

Make sharing convert automatically

Go to Settings › Apps › Photos and scroll to Transfer to Mac or PC. Choose Automatic. When you connect the iPhone to a computer with a cable, photos are copied as JPG. Choose Keep Originals only if your computer can open HEIC. Our guide to transferring photos from iPhone to Windows covers the whole process.

Mail and Messages to non-Apple phones usually send a JPG copy as well. AirDrop to another Apple device keeps HEIC, since Apple devices open it.

Convert HEIC to JPG with Shortcuts

1. Open the Shortcuts app and tap the plus to create a shortcut.
2. Add the action Select Photos and turn on Select Multiple.
3. Add Convert Image and set it to JPEG.
4. Add Save to Photo Album and pick an album.
5. Name the shortcut and run it whenever you need JPG copies.

This keeps the originals and adds JPG copies. You can delete the HEIC versions afterward if you need the space, though remember that JPG files take more room.

Convert HEIC on a Windows PC

Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC after you install the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Some PCs need the HEVC Video Extensions too, which may cost a small fee. Once installed, open the photo in the Photos app and use Save as, or open it in Paint and save as JPG. For many photos, the iCloud for Windows app or a free converter such as the one built into some photo editors can batch convert.

Convert HEIC on a Mac

Open the photo in Preview, choose File › Export, pick JPEG as the format and save. To convert many at once, select them in Finder, right click and choose Quick Actions › Convert Image, then pick JPEG. You can also export from the Photos app with File › Export › Export Photos and choose JPEG.

Are online HEIC converters safe?

They work, but you upload your photos to someone else's server. Photos can include your location and other details. Avoid them for personal or sensitive images. The iPhone, Mac and Windows methods above keep everything on your own devices.

Convert HEIC to PDF instead

If you need to send photos as a document, iPhone can turn them into a PDF without converting to JPG first. See how to convert photos to PDF on iPhone.

Running out of space after switching?

JPG takes more storage, so keep an eye on it. Check Settings › General › iPhone Storage. If space gets tight, switch back to High Efficiency, or read how to free up iPhone storage and how much iCloud storage you need.

Change it back to HEIC

Go to Settings › Camera › Formats and choose High Efficiency. New photos are saved as HEIC again. Photos you already took stay in whatever format they were taken in.

Why a website or app rejects your iPhone photo

Many upload forms for jobs, government sites and printing services accept only JPG or PNG. If you pick a photo from your library in Safari, iPhone usually converts it to JPG during upload. If a site still rejects it, the file may be too large rather than the wrong format. Try sending a smaller version: in the photo picker, some sites let you choose Actual Size or Large. You can also take a screenshot of the photo, which is saved as PNG and uploads almost anywhere, though at screen resolution.

HEIC vs JPG at a glance

• File size: HEIC is about half the size of JPG for similar quality.
• Compatibility: JPG opens everywhere. HEIC needs support on Windows, older Android and some websites.
• Live Photos: only work with HEIC. With JPG, Live Photos are still captured but stored differently.
• Editing: both edit fine in Photos. Older desktop editors may need JPG.

Sending HEIC photos to Android phones

Current Android phones open HEIC without trouble, and iPhone usually sends a JPG copy over RCS or MMS anyway. If an Android friend says your photos will not open, send them through Google Photos or a shared link, or turn on Most Compatible. See Google Photos vs iCloud if you share photos across both platforms often.

Common problems

• Formats option is missing: you may have an older iPhone that does not support HEIC. Those already shoot JPG.
• Pasted files are still HEIC: use the Shortcuts method, which always outputs JPEG.
• Photos look different after converting: JPG cannot hold the same wide color range, so very colorful scenes may shift slightly.
• Converted copies doubled your storage: delete the HEIC originals or the JPG copies once you no longer need both.

Does converting remove location data?

No. A JPG made from a HEIC photo usually keeps the date, camera details and location. To share without location, tap Options at the top of the Share sheet and turn off Location before you send or save. This works for both HEIC and JPG files, and it is a good habit when you post photos online or send them to people you do not know well.

Whichever method you pick, test with one photo first and open the result on the device or website that gave you trouble. That quick check confirms the format before you convert a whole album and use extra storage you may not need.

Will converting lower the quality?

Slightly, but you will rarely notice. HEIC stores the same picture in about half the space of JPG. When the iPhone converts to JPG, the file gets bigger and a small amount of detail can be lost to compression. For sharing, printing and uploading, the difference is invisible. Keep your originals in HEIC and convert copies only when a website or app needs JPG.