Why can't Windows open HEIC files?

Windows does not include HEIC codec support by default. HEIC is Apple's proprietary format based on the HEIF standard. To open HEIC on Windows without converting, install the free HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. To convert HEIC to JPG without any software, use our browser-based HEIC to JPG converter.

Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?

At quality 90% or above, the visual difference is minimal and not noticeable to most people. HEIC is a more efficient format, so the converted JPG will be slightly larger in file size. The image will look essentially the same on screen at high quality settings.

How do I stop my iPhone from saving photos as HEIC?

Go to Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and select Most Compatible. Your iPhone will save all new photos as JPG instead of HEIC. This uses slightly more storage but means photos open on every device and platform without conversion.

How to Convert HEIC to JPG Free: iPhone Photos on Windows and Android

You take a photo on your iPhone, transfer it to your Windows PC or Android phone, and get a file your computer refuses to open. The culprit is HEIC - Apple's default photo format since iOS 11. It saves storage on your iPhone but causes compatibility problems everywhere else. This guide shows you five ways to fix it.

What Is HEIC and Why Do iPhones Use It

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. Apple introduced it in iOS 11 as the default camera format because it stores photos at roughly half the file size of JPG at the same visual quality. A 4MB JPG becomes about a 2MB HEIC photo, which adds up to significant storage savings over thousands of photos.

HEIC is based on the open HEIF standard, but Apple's implementation is not widely supported outside of Apple devices. iPhones, iPads, and Macs open HEIC natively. Almost everything else does not.

Why HEIC Causes Problems

Windows cannot open HEIC without installing extra software
Android does not support HEIC natively
Most websites reject HEIC uploads (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn all prefer JPG or PNG)
Email clients often fail to display HEIC inline
Many photo editing apps do not support HEIC
Printers and photo labs may not accept HEIC files

Method 1: Browser-Based Converter (No Software Needed)

Easiest - works on any device

Our Free HEIC to JPG Converter

Drop your HEIC photos onto our HEIC to JPG converter. Conversion happens in your browser with no upload to any server. Multiple photos supported, download individually or as a ZIP file.

This works on Windows, Mac, Android, and any device with a modern browser. Your photos never leave your device, which matters for private or work photos. Transfer your HEIC files from your iPhone via USB or AirDrop first, then drop them into the tool.

📱 Convert HEIC to JPG Free →

Method 2: Windows 11 (Microsoft Store Extension)

Requires one-time install

HEIF Image Extensions from Microsoft Store

Install the free HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, Windows Photos, File Explorer, and most apps can open HEIC files directly. Right-click any HEIC file and choose "Save as" to convert to JPG.

Search for "HEIF Image Extensions" in the Microsoft Store app. It is free and takes under a minute to install. This is the best solution if you regularly receive iPhone photos on a Windows PC.

Method 3: Stop the Problem at the Source (iPhone Settings)

Best long-term fix

Change iPhone Camera Format to JPG

Go to Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and tap "Most Compatible". Your iPhone now saves all new photos as JPG. Existing HEIC photos remain as HEIC but all future shots are universal JPG.

This uses slightly more iPhone storage since JPG files are larger than HEIC. On a 256GB iPhone shooting typical photos, the difference is around 500MB-1GB extra usage per year. For most people, this is the simplest permanent solution.

Method 4: AirDrop to Mac

If you have access to a Mac, AirDrop your HEIC photos to it. Mac's Preview app opens HEIC natively. From Preview, go to File, then Export, choose JPEG format, set quality, and save. The resulting file works everywhere.

Mac also automatically converts HEIC to JPG when you AirDrop to a Windows device or use the Share button to email photos, so you may not need to convert at all depending on how you transfer files.

Method 5: Google Photos

Upload your HEIC photos to Google Photos (free with a Google account). Google Photos stores and displays them correctly. When you download photos from Google Photos, they download as JPG regardless of the original format. This works well if you already back up photos to Google Photos.

For one-off conversions or when privacy matters, our browser-based HEIC converter is the fastest option with no software, no account, and no upload. For ongoing convenience, change your iPhone's camera format to Most Compatible in Settings.

After Converting: Resize and Compress

Converted HEIC photos are full-resolution JPGs, often 3-6MB each. If you are sharing them or uploading to a website, run them through our image compressor to reduce file size, or use the HEIC converter's quality slider to control output size during conversion.

For social media uploads, use our image resizer after converting - Instagram posts need 1080px wide, LinkedIn photos 1200px, and email inline images 600px.