How to Convert iPhone HEIC Photos to JPG (Windows, Android & iPhone)
You send photos from an iPhone to a computer, or try to upload them to a website, and get files ending in .HEIC that won't open — or the upload form says "file type not supported". This guide explains what HEIC is and gives you four free ways to turn those photos into normal JPG files.
What is a HEIC file?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the photo format iPhones use by default. It stores a photo at roughly half the size of a JPG with similar quality, which saves storage on your phone.
The problem is compatibility. Many websites, older Windows computers, Android apps and online forms only accept JPG or PNG. That is why the same photo that looks fine on your iPhone suddenly becomes "unsupported" elsewhere.
Method 1: Convert HEIC to JPG in your browser (any device)
This is the quickest option if you already have the HEIC files on your computer or phone:
- Open HEIC to JPG converter.
- Select one or many .heic files.
- Download the JPG versions.
The conversion happens inside your browser, so personal photos are not uploaded anywhere. It works on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone.
Method 2: Make your iPhone send JPG automatically
If you often move photos to a Windows PC, you can let the iPhone convert them for you:
- Open Settings → Photos.
- Scroll down to Transfer to Mac or PC and choose Automatic.
With this setting, the iPhone converts photos to a compatible format when you copy them to a computer with a cable. It does not change the photos already stored on your phone.
Method 3: Stop the iPhone taking HEIC photos
If you want every new photo to be a JPG from the start:
- Open Settings → Camera → Formats.
- Choose Most Compatible.
New photos will be saved as JPG. Keep in mind they take more storage space than HEIC. Existing photos stay as they are.
Method 4: Share as JPG from the iPhone
When you share a photo from the iPhone Photos app to many apps or email, iOS often converts it to JPG automatically. Copying the photo into the Files app or emailing it to yourself is a simple trick to get a JPG copy without installing anything. Results can vary by app, so check the file extension afterwards.
Which method should you use?
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| You already have .heic files on a PC or Android | Method 1 — browser converter |
| You regularly copy photos to Windows with a cable | Method 2 — "Automatic" transfer |
| You never want HEIC again | Method 3 — "Most Compatible" |
| You need one or two photos quickly from the iPhone | Method 4 — share or email |
After converting: common next steps
- Uploading to a form with a size limit? Shrink the JPG with the image compressor or a fixed-size tool like compress to 50KB.
- Need several photos as one document? Combine them into a single PDF with Image to PDF — it accepts HEIC directly, so you can even skip the conversion step.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
Converting at a high JPG quality setting keeps the photo visually the same. The JPG file is usually larger than the HEIC original because JPG compression is less efficient.
Can Windows open HEIC files?
Newer versions of Windows can open HEIC if the right image extensions are installed from the Microsoft Store, but many programs and websites still can't. Converting to JPG is the most reliable option.
Are Live Photos affected?
A Live Photo contains a still image plus a short video. Converting to JPG keeps only the still image.