Converting HEIC photos from your phone

What is HEIC

HEIC is the default photo format on modern iPhones. It stores photos efficiently, so each image takes less space while keeping high quality, but older software and many websites cannot open it.

Converting HEIC to JPG keeps the photo quality for sharing and uploading, while making the file readable anywhere. Converting to PNG is the right choice when you need lossless quality or transparency support.

How the conversion works

The selected HEIC photo is decoded in your browser and re-encoded as JPG or PNG. The conversion is local: your photo never leaves the device.

JPG output is the best default for everyday sharing because of its small size and universal support. PNG output is larger but completely lossless.

iPhone camera settings for HEIC

On iPhone, open Settings > Camera > Formats. High Efficiency keeps photos as HEIC and saves space, while Most Compatible records them as JPEG so they open almost anywhere. The change affects new photos only — existing HEIC files stay HEIC.

If you need just a few compatible photos, sharing them from the Photos app can convert them for many destinations. For a full-quality copy that stays on your device, convert the HEIC file directly in your browser.

Why HEIC does not open on Windows

Windows does not include HEIC support by default. Microsoft’s HEIF Image Extensions, and often the HEVC Video Extensions, must be installed from the Microsoft Store before Photos and other apps can display HEIC files.

Many websites, upload forms and older editors still reject HEIC even when Windows can open it. Converting to JPG or PNG before uploading avoids codec installs and failed uploads.

When to keep the HEIC original

Keep the original HEIC as your master copy: it is smaller than a JPG of the same quality. Convert a copy only when you need to send or display the photo somewhere that does not support HEIC.