HEIC to JPG Converter
If you've ever transferred photos from an iPhone to a Windows PC or tried to upload them to a website that only accepts JPEG, you've met the HEIC problem. Since iOS 11, Apple has saved photos in the High Efficiency Image Container (HEIC) format by default. It's technically excellent — smaller files, great quality — but compatibility outside the Apple ecosystem is still patchy.
Our free HEIC to JPG converter solves this in seconds. Drop your HEIC or HEIF file into the tool above and download a universally compatible JPEG. Everything happens locally in your browser: your photos are never uploaded to any server, which means the conversion is not only fast but completely private.
Drop your .HEIC file here or browse your device
Up to 100 MB · 100% private — files never leave your device
How to convert HEIC to JPG in 3 steps
Why convert HEIC to JPG?
HEIC is a genuinely good format — it stores roughly twice the image data per megabyte compared to JPEG. The problem is purely one of compatibility:
- Windows support is inconsistent. Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC only after installing extra codecs from the Microsoft Store, and many users don't have them.
- Websites and apps reject HEIC uploads. Countless forms, marketplaces, and social platforms still accept only JPG or PNG.
- Older software can't read it. Desktop editors, email clients, and office suites outside Apple's walled garden often fail on HEIC files.
- Sharing across platforms. Sending a HEIC photo to an Android user or embedding it in a document is asking for trouble — JPG just works everywhere.
Converting to JPG trades a little file-size efficiency for universal compatibility: every device, browser, and program made in the last 25 years can open a JPEG.
HEIC vs JPG: what's the difference?
| Feature | HEIC | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| Introduced | 2017 (iOS 11) | 1992 |
| File size (same quality) | ~50% smaller | Larger |
| Compatibility | Apple devices, newer Windows (with codecs) | Universal |
| Transparency | Supported | Not supported |
| Best for | Storing iPhone photos efficiently | Sharing, uploading, printing |
Neither format is "better" in absolute terms — they solve different problems. HEIC wins on efficiency; JPG wins on compatibility. Our converter bridges the two.
Tips for the best conversion results
- Keep quality at 90–95% for photos you plan to print or edit further. The default 92% is a sweet spot most people can't distinguish from the original.
- Drop to 75–85% for web uploads, email attachments, or social media — you'll get dramatically smaller files with barely visible difference.
- Check orientation. iPhone photos store rotation metadata; our converter respects it, so portraits stay portrait.
- Live Photos: only the still image is converted — the short video portion of a Live Photo isn't included. Export the video separately if you need it.
- Batch tip: convert files one at a time for now; each conversion takes only a few seconds.
HEIC on Windows: your options compared
If you regularly move iPhone photos to a Windows PC, you have three options — here's how they stack up:
- Install HEIC codecs. Microsoft sells the HEIF Image Extensions in its store (often around $0.99). Once installed, Photos and File Explorer handle HEIC natively. Downside: it only fixes your PC — anyone you share with still has the problem.
- Change the iPhone setting. Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose "Most Compatible" to shoot JPEG going forward. This doesn't fix existing HEIC files, and you lose HEIC's storage efficiency.
- Convert as needed (recommended). Keep shooting HEIC for the space savings, convert to JPG when compatibility matters. It's the best of both worlds and takes seconds per file with the tool above.
For most people, option three wins: zero cost, zero settings to remember, and every file you produce works everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to convert HEIC to JPG online?
With most online converters, your photos are uploaded to a remote server — you have to trust whoever runs it. Our converter is different: all processing happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your files never leave your device, so there's nothing to leak, breach, or misuse.
Will converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
JPEG is a lossy format, so technically yes — but at 90%+ quality the difference is invisible to the human eye. The original HEIC stays untouched on your device, so you can always reconvert at maximum quality if needed.
Why can't Windows open my iPhone photos?
Windows doesn't include HEIC codecs by default. You can install them from the Microsoft Store, but the simpler fix is converting to JPG once — then the file works everywhere, on every version of Windows, with no extra software.
Does the converter keep the photo's metadata (date, location)?
The visual image, dimensions, and orientation are preserved. Some EXIF metadata (like GPS tags) may not carry over, since the conversion re-encodes the pixels. If you need metadata preserved, keep your original HEIC as an archive copy.
Is there a file size limit?
You can convert files up to 100 MB, which covers even large iPhone ProRAW-adjacent HEIC files. Because processing happens on your device, larger files just take a few seconds longer — there's no server queue.
Do I need to install anything or create an account?
No. The converter runs entirely in your web browser — no downloads, no plug-ins, no sign-up, no watermark on the output. It works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Should I just switch my iPhone to shoot JPEG instead?
You can (Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible), and for maximum compatibility it's fine. But you'll use roughly twice the storage per photo and lose features like 10-bit color. Many photographers prefer shooting HEIC and converting selectively — which is exactly what this tool is for.
Does converting delete the original HEIC?
No. Conversion creates a brand-new JPG file; your original HEIC stays exactly where it was, untouched. We recommend keeping HEIC originals as archival copies.