You airdropped a photo from your iPhone to a Windows laptop, and it will not open. Or a website rejected your upload with “unsupported file type.” The cause is almost always HEIC, the format Apple uses by default. This free HEIC to JPG converter turns those photos into standard JPG (also written JPEG) files that open on any phone, computer, website and printing service.
Convert HEIC to JPG
Add your HEIC files, check the settings and download them as JPG. Batch conversion, no sign-up and no watermark.
Why iPhone photos will not open on other devices
Since iOS 11, iPhones and iPads save pictures as HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) to save storage space. A HEIC file holds the same picture as a JPG in a noticeably smaller file, but it is not built into every operating system, email client, CMS or online form. JPG, on the other hand, has been the universal photo format for decades. Converting HEIC to JPG simply trades a little storage efficiency for compatibility.
Convert HEIC to JPG in four steps
- Add your photos. Drag HEIC or HEIF files into the box above or tap “Choose files”. Select the whole camera roll export if you like, because batches are supported.
- Keep JPG selected under “Convert to”.
- Pick the settings you need. Leave “Quality” near 85 to 90 for everyday photos, or lower it to shrink files for email. Add a value in “Max width (optional)” to resize large 12-megapixel pictures.
- Download each JPG, or press “Download all (ZIP)” to save the entire batch at once.
What the quality and size settings do
JPG compresses by discarding detail the eye rarely notices. A higher “Quality” number keeps more of that detail and makes a bigger file. For photos you will print, stay at 90 or above. For photos you will only post or send in chat, 75 to 80 is usually enough. “Max width (optional)” is separate: it changes the pixel dimensions, which cuts file size much more than quality alone. A 4000-pixel-wide photo resized to 1600 pixels is often all a blog or marketplace listing needs.
| Feature | HEIC | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Smaller for the same look | Larger than HEIC |
| Quality | Lossy, efficient | Lossy, widely tuned |
| Transparency | Supported | Not supported |
| Animation | Supports image sequences | Not supported |
| Compatibility | Apple devices and some modern apps | Almost every device and website |
| Best for | Saving phone storage | Sharing, uploading, printing |
Make your iPhone shoot JPG from now on
If you convert photos often, change the source. On your iPhone open Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and choose “Most Compatible.” New photos will be saved as JPG. Existing HEIC photos stay as they are, so keep this page handy for the old ones. Apple explains the formats on its support site, and the setting costs you some storage in return for fewer conversions.
Fixing common HEIC problems
The converted photo is rotated
Some older viewers ignore the orientation flag saved in the file. Rotate the JPG in any image viewer and save it again.
The JPG is bigger than the HEIC
That is expected, because HEIC compresses more efficiently. Lower “Quality” a little or set “Max width (optional)” to bring the size down.
Live Photos lost their movement
A Live Photo is a still image plus a short clip. JPG can only hold a still, so only the main frame is kept.
Your photos never leave your device
This converter works inside your browser. Your personal pictures are not uploaded to a server, which matters for family photos, ID scans and anything private. There is no account to create and no watermark added.
How do I open a HEIC file on Windows?
The quickest way is to convert it to JPG with this tool. After that, Photos, Paint, Word and every browser can open the file.
Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
JPG is a lossy format, so a very small change is possible. At a quality setting of 85 or higher the difference is hard to see on normal photos.
Can I convert hundreds of HEIC photos at once?
Yes. Batch conversion is supported, and “Download all (ZIP)” packs the results together. Very large batches depend on your device memory.
Is HEIC the same as HEIF?
They are closely related. HEIF is the container standard and HEIC is the common name for photos saved this way by Apple devices. The tool handles both.
Will I keep my original HEIC files?
Yes. Conversion creates new JPG files and never changes the originals.
More conversions for iPhone photos
Need a different output? Try HEIC to PNG for lossless editing, HEIC to PDF for sending receipts, or HEIC to WebP for websites. Our HEIC converter hub lists everything for Apple photos, and the main image converter covers other formats such as WebP to JPG.