HEIC to JPG

Tools and guides last checked November 2026

Why won't my iPhone photo open on Windows?

iPhones save photos in Apple's own picture type, called HEIC, to save space. Windows can't show that type out of the box, so you see blank squares. This page turns each one into an ordinary JPG that opens everywhere. Drop the photos in, then save them one by one or all together as a zip.

What is HEIC, and why do iPhones use it?

HEIC is the picture format iPhones and iPads save photos in by default. It uses a modern compression method (HEVC, also called H.265) that keeps a photo looking the same as a JPG at roughly half the file size, which saves space on your phone and in iCloud. The files end in .heic or .heif and may also hold extras such as Live Photo data, depth information for Portrait mode and several images in one file.

The trouble is that not everything can open it. Many Windows PCs, older programs, some websites and some print shops cannot read HEIC, so you see blank squares, an error or “file type not supported”. JPG is understood by almost everything, which is why converting is the usual fix.

HEIC or JPG: which should you keep?

Keep HEIC while the photos are only on your phone and your Apple devices, because it saves space. Convert to JPG when you need to share a photo with someone who cannot open HEIC, upload it to a website, edit it in a program that does not support HEIC or send it to a printer. Converting does not change your original: you get a copy, and the original stays in your library.

How to convert iPhone photos on a PC or Mac

You do not need to install anything. Move the photos to your computer (by cable, AirDrop, iCloud or email), drop them onto the box at the top of this page and the page converts them in your browser. Save them one at a time, or press Save all to get a single zip. Photos taken sideways are turned the right way up, and the converted JPGs open anywhere.

Stop your iPhone saving HEIC

If you would rather your iPhone made JPGs from now on, open Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and choose Most Compatible. New photos are saved as JPG. This uses more storage because JPG files are larger. Photos you have already taken stay as HEIC and can be converted here. When you share a photo from the Photos app by AirDrop or email, iOS can also convert to a compatible format automatically, depending on your settings.

Tips for large batches

Everything runs on your own computer, so the limit is your computer’s memory rather than a rule on our side. If a very large batch slows down, convert it in smaller groups of around 50 to 100 photos. Close other heavy tabs while it works, and use a desktop browser such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari for the fastest results.

Related tips

• How to Send Large Photos Without Losing Quality
• HEIC, JPG, PNG or WebP: Which Image Format Should You Use?
• Why Browser-Only Tools Are Private, and How to Check for Yourself
• Converting Lots of Photos at Once: A Practical Guide

A quick example: forty holiday photos on a Windows laptop

You have AirDropped 40 photos from a week away to a Windows laptop and every one shows as a blank square. Drop all 40 onto the box and wait while the previews appear one by one. Press Save all as one zip and open the zip: it holds 40 JPGs that keep their original names, only ending in .jpg instead of .heic.

A photo that takes about 2 MB as HEIC often comes out at 3 to 5 MB as a JPG, so a batch like this can add up to a few hundred megabytes. Check that you have the room before you save.

Good to know before you convert

Keep your HEIC originals until you have opened a few of the JPGs and are happy with them. A file that fails to convert is usually a copy that was damaged on its way from the phone, so copy it across again and retry. Photos taken in Live Photo mode and Portrait mode come out as a single still picture. For a big batch, work in groups so you can check each group before moving on.

If two photos have the same name, for instance from two different folders, the zip keeps both and numbers the second one, so photo.jpg is followed by photo-2.jpg and nothing is overwritten. Rename the files afterwards if you want them in a particular order, as most programs sort by name.

Related tools

• HEIC to PNG
• Resize Image
• Compress Photo

Questions people ask

What is a HEIC photo?

HEIC (sometimes written HEIF) is the picture type iPhones use by default because it takes up less space than a JPG. Many Windows PCs, older programs and some websites cannot open it, which is why you see blank squares or an error.

Will the photo look different after converting?

No. Each photo is saved as a high-quality JPG, so it looks the same for normal use. Your original is not changed; you get a copy. The JPG file is usually bigger than the HEIC, because HEIC is better at squeezing pictures small.

Can I stop my iPhone saving photos as HEIC?

Yes. On the iPhone go to Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG. Photos you already have stay as they are, and you can convert those here.

Is there a limit on how many photos I can convert?

This page sets no limit. The work happens on your own computer, so a very large batch depends on how much memory it has. If it slows down, convert them in smaller groups.

Are my photos uploaded anywhere?

No. The photos are converted inside your own browser and never sent to us or anyone else. The Privacy page has the details. If you also want to be sure no location goes with a photo you share, use Remove photo details.