HEIC to JPG: how to convert Apple's photo format

What is HEIC and why does Apple use it?

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container, a file format based on the HEVC (H.265) video codec's intra-frame compression. Apple adopted HEIC as the default photo format starting with iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra in 2017, replacing JPEG for photos taken with the built-in Camera app.

The primary advantage is compression efficiency: HEIC files are typically 40-50% smaller than equivalent-quality JPEG files. This means an iPhone can store roughly twice as many photos in the same amount of storage, or maintain the same photo count with noticeably higher quality per image.

HEIC also supports features JPEG lacks, including transparency (alpha channel), 16-bit color depth, multiple images in one file (Live Photos store the video component alongside the still frame), and non-destructive editing metadata.

The compatibility problem

Despite its technical advantages, HEIC adoption outside Apple's ecosystem has been slow. Windows added native HEIC support only in Windows 10 version 1803, and even then requires a free codec extension from the Microsoft Store. Many Android devices cannot open HEIC files without third-party apps.

Web browsers have similarly limited support: Safari handles HEIC natively, but Chrome, Firefox, and Edge on Windows either require the system codec or refuse to display HEIC images. Social media platforms, email clients, and content management systems often reject HEIC uploads or silently fail to process them.

This creates friction when iPhone users share photos with non-Apple users. The recipient sees an error, blank image, or a download prompt for a file they cannot open, forcing the sender to convert to a more universal format like JPEG.

When iOS automatically converts to JPEG

iOS includes an 'Automatic' transfer setting that converts HEIC photos to JPEG when sharing via AirDrop, iMessage, email, or USB cable to a non-Apple device. This conversion is transparent and happens on-device.

However, this automatic conversion does not apply to all scenarios: uploading through a web browser, copying files via cloud storage apps (Google Drive, Dropbox), or exporting via third-party photo apps often bypasses the conversion logic and sends the raw HEIC file.

You can force iOS to always capture in JPEG by changing Settings → Camera → Formats to 'Most Compatible', but this sacrifices the storage and quality benefits of HEIC for all future photos.

What happens during HEIC to JPG conversion

Converting HEIC to JPG is a two-step lossy process: the HEIC file is first decoded to raw pixel data, then that data is re-encoded using JPEG's lossy compression. Because both formats discard information differently, the result reflects the compression decisions made twice.

The quality loss depends on the JPEG quality setting chosen during conversion. At high JPEG quality (90-95), the visual difference from the original HEIC is negligible on most photos. At medium quality (75-85), you trade some file size reduction for minor artifacts around high-contrast edges.

EXIF metadata (date, time, camera model, GPS coordinates) is preserved during conversion by default, but iOS Live Photo video components are discarded — only the primary still frame is converted.

When to keep HEIC instead of converting

If you work exclusively within the Apple ecosystem — sharing via iMessage or AirDrop, storing in iCloud Photos, editing in Photos.app — there is no need to convert. HEIC's smaller file sizes mean faster uploads, less iCloud storage consumed, and more photos on your device.

Convert to JPEG only when compatibility is required: sharing with non-Apple users, uploading to a platform that rejects HEIC, embedding in a document, or submitting to a print service that cannot process HEIC. Convert a copy rather than replacing the original.