How to Convert HEIC Photos to JPG on Computer and Phone
Sent photos from your iPhone to a Windows PC and can't open them because of the unfamiliar .HEIC extension? This guide explains what HEIC is and shows you how to quickly convert it to JPG/PNG for free, with no software installation needed.
Use now: HEIC → JPG/PNG Free · no installation · runs in your browserWhat is HEIC, and why does iPhone use it?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the image format Apple has used by default since iOS 11. Its advantage is that it delivers quality on par with JPG but at roughly half the file size, saving storage space on your phone.
The downside is that older versions of Windows, along with many apps and websites, don't support HEIC yet. So when sharing photos with others, you often need to convert them to JPG or PNG so they can actually open them.
How to convert HEIC to JPG for free, no app required
The fastest way is to use a browser-based HEIC to JPG/PNG converter: select one or more .heic photos, choose your output format (JPG for smaller files, PNG for sharper detail), adjust the quality level if needed, and download. There's no software to install, and since the photos are decoded right on your device, nothing gets uploaded online.
This works on both computers and phones, making it ideal when you have a batch of photos to process at once.
How to make your iPhone shoot in JPG from the start
If you'd rather not convert files every time, you can set your iPhone to shoot directly in JPG: go to Settings → Camera → Formats → and select "Most Compatible." From then on, new photos will be saved as JPG.
That said, any photos you've already taken will remain in HEIC format, so a converter tool is still needed to handle your existing photo library.
Should you choose JPG or PNG?
Choose JPG for everyday photos like portraits and landscapes, since the files are small and open everywhere. Choose PNG when you need to preserve sharp detail, such as screenshots, images with text, or a transparent background — though the trade-off is a larger file size.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my iPhone photos open on Windows?
Because they're in HEIC format, which older versions of Windows and many apps don't support natively. Converting them to JPG/PNG makes them openable on any device.
Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
At a quality setting of 90% or higher, the difference is nearly imperceptible to the naked eye. If you need to preserve quality exactly, choose PNG instead.
Is it safe to convert personal photos this way?
Yes. The decoding happens entirely in your browser, and your photos are never sent to any server.