How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows, Mac, and iPhone

HEIC photos usually take up less space than comparable JPG files. The catch is compatibility: plenty of websites, apps, and older devices still won’t accept them. For a quick conversion, open the HEIC photo in a built-in image app, then export or save it as a JPEG.

Quick answer

On Windows: If needed, install the HEIF Image Extensions. Open the HEIC file in Paint, then choose File > Save as > JPEG picture.

On a Mac: Open the image in Preview and select File > Export. Choose JPEG, set the quality, and save the new file.

On an iPhone: Save the photo to the Files app. Touch and hold the file, then choose Quick Actions > Convert Image > JPEG.

Don’t delete the original HEIC until you’ve checked the converted photo. JPEG uses lossy compression, and the conversion may strip out location data, camera details, or editing metadata.

HEIC and JPG side by side

Converting HEIC to JPG on Windows 11 or 10

Paint can save an HEIC photo as a JPG, though Windows needs the right HEIF support before the file will open.

1. Double-click the HEIC file and see whether Windows can open it.
2. If Windows asks for a codec, go to the Microsoft Store and install HEIF Image Extensions.
3. Right-click the HEIC file, then select Open with > Paint.
4. Once Paint opens the image, choose File > Save as > JPEG picture.
5. Pick a destination and give the JPG a new filename.
6. Select Save.

It’s usually better to save the JPG in a different folder, since that makes the original easier to keep. If Paint still can’t open the photo after you install HEIF support, close and restart Paint. A Windows reboot may be needed too.

Converting several HEIC files on Windows

Windows doesn’t have one consistent built-in batch converter across every version. For a large folder, ImageMagick is a command-line alternative. There’s one wrinkle, though: HEIC support depends on how your installed ImageMagick package was compiled, so try a single photo before running it on the whole folder.

magick input.heic -quality 92 output.jpg

To convert every HEIC file in the current Command Prompt folder, run:

for %f in (*.heic) do magick "%f" -quality 92 "%~nf.jpg"

If you put that command in a batch file, use %%f rather than %f.

Converting HEIC to JPG on a Mac

For one photo, or even a few, Preview is probably the easiest option on macOS.

1. Control-click the HEIC file and choose Open With > Preview.
2. In Preview, select File > Export.
3. Change Format to JPEG.
4. Move the quality slider toward Best. Somewhere around 85% to 95% works well for most photos.
5. Choose where the file should go, then select Save.

Batch converting HEIC photos in Finder

1. Open Finder and select the HEIC photos you want to convert.
2. Control-click the selected files.
3. Choose Quick Actions > Convert Image.
4. Set the format to JPEG.
5. Pick the image size you want, then select Convert to JPEG.

Finder normally saves the converted copies in the same folder as the HEIC originals. If you don’t see the Convert Image action, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Extensions > Finder. Check there to see whether the action is available and turned on.

Converting HEIC to JPG on an iPhone

You don’t need a third-party app for an existing photo. The Files app can handle the conversion.

1. Open the Photos app and select the image.
2. Tap Share, then choose Save to Files.
3. Switch to the Files app and find the image you just saved.
4. Touch and hold the file, then tap Quick Actions.
5. Select Convert Image.
6. Choose JPEG, followed by the image size you want.

The JPG should appear in the same Files folder as the HEIC photo. To move it back into Photos, open the JPG, tap Share, and choose Save Image.

Saving future iPhone photos as JPG

If you’d rather have the Camera app create more widely compatible files from now on, change its format setting:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Camera > Formats.
3. Select Most Compatible.

New photos will generally be saved as JPG rather than HEIC. They may use more storage, which is the trade-off. And this setting won’t convert any HEIC photos already on the phone.

Automatic conversion during iPhone transfers

During a USB transfer to a PC or Mac, iOS can automatically send compatible versions of your photos.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Photos. If you’re using an older iOS version, go to Settings > Photos instead.
2. Scroll down to Transfer to Mac or PC.
3. Select Automatic.

Choose Keep Originals if you want the HEIC files preserved during transfer. That setting makes more sense for archiving originals, or if the software you use already supports HEIC properly.

Quality, metadata, and privacy

• Quality: JPG is a lossy format. Try not to open and resave the converted file repeatedly, since each save can add more compression.
• Resolution: If the photo is headed for print or further editing, choose the original or largest available size.
• Metadata: Depending on the conversion method, you may lose GPS coordinates, capture dates, camera information, or depth data.
• Transparency: JPG can’t preserve transparent areas. Use PNG instead if transparency needs to remain.
• Privacy: Unknown online converters aren’t a good place for private documents, family photos, or images containing sensitive location information.

Checking the converted JPG

1. Open the new JPG in another application or in a browser.
2. Check the orientation, colors, and image dimensions.
3. Zoom in on detailed parts of the photo and look for obvious compression artifacts.
4. Make sure the website or application you’re using actually accepts the file.
5. Keep the original HEIC until the JPG has been checked and backed up.