How to Convert iPhone Photos from HEIC to JPG (or PNG)
If you’re an iPhone user, you might have already noticed that your photos are saved in HEIC format instead of the more common JPG or PNG. This usually isn’t an issue when you stay within the Apple ecosystem (iOS or macOS), but problems can appear once you transfer files to a Windows PC or try to upload them to certain websites. Some government platforms or online forms may not even accept HEIC files at all.
That’s why knowing how to convert iPhone photos from HEIC to JPG (or PNG) is so useful. The good news is—it’s actually very simple once you know how.
What Is HEIC Format?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Coding) is Apple’s own photo format introduced to save space while maintaining image quality. Every photo you take on your iPhone is automatically stored in HEIC to reduce file size without losing clarity.
In short, HEIC is just another image extension—like JPEG, JPG, PNG, or WEBP—but not as widely supported outside of Apple’s ecosystem.
Quick Trick: Rename HEIC to JPG (Not Always Reliable)
If you’re in a hurry, there’s a quick—but imperfect—method.
-
Go to your photo folder.
-
Select a photo saved as
.heic. -
Rename the file and simply change the extension to
.jpg.
Sometimes, this trick works because certain apps or sites automatically reprocess the file. However, the actual file format doesn’t change—it’s still HEIC inside. That means some programs will still reject it. Consider this a last-minute workaround, not a permanent solution.
Proper Way: Convert HEIC to JPG or PNG
For a reliable conversion, you’ll need a converter app or website. One of the easiest (and free) tools is iMazing HEIC Converter.
Here’s how to use it:
-
Download iMazing Converter from the official website (free to use).
-
Open the program on your computer.
-
Drag and drop your HEIC photos into the app.
-
Select JPG (or PNG) as the output format.
-
Click Convert and save your new files.
Within seconds, your photos will be available in a universally accepted format.
Save iPhone Photos as JPG from the Start
If you don’t want to bother converting later, you can change your iPhone’s settings so that new photos are saved as JPG automatically.
-
Open the Settings app.
-
Scroll down and select Camera.
-
Tap Formats.
-
Choose Most Compatible instead of High Efficiency.
-
High Efficiency → Saves in HEIC (default option)
-
Most Compatible → Saves in JPG
This way, all your future iPhone photos will be stored as JPG, avoiding compatibility issues.
Final Thoughts
While HEIC is a smart format for saving storage, it isn’t always the most practical outside Apple’s ecosystem. For maximum compatibility—especially when sharing files, uploading documents, or transferring photos to a Windows PC—converting iPhone photos from HEIC to JPG (or setting your iPhone to save as JPG directly) is the best solution.
