HEIC to JPG: How to Convert iPhone Photos for Free

HEIC to JPG: How to Convert iPhone Photos for Free

May 17, 2026  ·  6 min read

You transferred photos from your iPhone to your Windows PC and now you can't open them. Or you tried uploading an image to a website and got an error. Or a client sent you photos and your editing software won't read them.

The culprit is HEIC — Apple's default photo format since 2017. Most of the world still runs on JPG. This guide shows you exactly how to convert HEIC to JPG, for free, in under a minute.

What Is HEIC and Why iPhone Uses It

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It's a file format that wraps photos compressed using the HEVC (H.265) video codec. Apple introduced it as the default iPhone camera format with iOS 11 in 2017.

The reason Apple switched to HEIC is straightforward: the files are roughly 50% smaller than equivalent JPG files at the same visual quality. If you take 1,000 photos a year, HEIC saves you several gigabytes of storage — significant on a phone where you can't expand storage.

HEIC also supports features JPG doesn't: 16-bit colour depth (vs JPG's 8-bit), HDR data, image sequences (Live Photos), and transparency. For the iPhone ecosystem, it's a genuine upgrade.

HEIC vs JPG — What's Actually Different

Here's a practical comparison between the two formats:

In practice: HEIC is technically superior, but JPG wins on compatibility. When you need to share or publish photos, JPG is still the safe choice.

Why HEIC Causes Compatibility Problems

The problem isn't HEIC itself — it's that the format is relatively young and Apple-centric. Windows didn't support HEIC natively until Windows 11 (and even then, only partially). Most web platforms still don't accept HEIC uploads. Android doesn't open HEIC files by default. Many photo editors, including older versions of Photoshop, either can't open HEIC files or require a plugin.

So every time you transfer iPhone photos to a non-Apple device, share them with a Windows user, or upload them to a website, you're likely to hit a compatibility wall. Converting to JPG removes that wall entirely.

How to Convert HEIC to JPG Free Online (No Upload)

The fastest method — no software installation, works on any device with a browser.

Step-by-Step Using JustDownsize

JustDownsize's free HEIC to JPG converter runs entirely in your browser. Your photos are never uploaded to any server — the conversion happens locally on your device. This is important if you're dealing with personal photos, client photos, or anything private.

  1. Go to justdownsize.com/heic-to-jpg
  2. Click "Choose File" or drag and drop your HEIC file onto the tool
  3. The conversion happens instantly in your browser — no waiting for upload or processing
  4. Click "Download JPG" to save the converted file
  5. Done. Your JPG opens anywhere

The output JPG quality defaults to high (90%), which gives you an excellent result with a small file size. You can adjust quality if you need an even smaller file.

Because everything runs in-browser and your files never leave your device, there's no privacy risk. This matters especially for photos that contain faces, locations, or personal information — things you wouldn't want sitting on a stranger's server.

Batch Convert Multiple HEIC Files at Once

If you have a folder full of HEIC files from a trip or photo session, converting them one by one is tedious. JustDownsize supports batch conversion — select multiple HEIC files at once and download them all as JPGs in a single pass.

Select all your HEIC files (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A in the file picker, or drag multiple files), and the tool converts them all simultaneously. Each one processes independently in your browser. When they're done, you can download them individually or as a ZIP file.

After converting, you might want to compress the converted JPG files if you need to email them or upload them to a platform with a file size limit. The compression tool also runs in-browser with no upload required.

How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows

Using the HEIC Image Extensions (Microsoft Store)

Microsoft offers a free HEIC codec through the Microsoft Store that lets Windows open HEIC files natively. Here's how to install it:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store (search for it in the Start menu)
  2. Search for "HEIC Image Extensions"
  3. Click "Get" — it's free
  4. Wait for it to install (takes about 30 seconds)
  5. You can now open HEIC files directly in Windows Photos

Note: There's also a paid version called "HEVC Video Extensions" ($0.99) — you don't need this just for HEIC photos. The free HEIC Image Extensions is sufficient for still images.

Using Photos App to Export as JPG

Once the extension is installed, converting HEIC to JPG in Windows is simple:

  1. Open the HEIC file in the Windows Photos app
  2. Click the three-dot menu (top right) and select "Save as"
  3. In the file type dropdown, select "JPEG"
  4. Choose a save location and click "Save"

The limitation here is that it's one file at a time. For batch conversion on Windows, the online tool above is faster.

How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac

Using Preview (Built-In, Free)

Mac has supported HEIC natively since macOS High Sierra (2017). The built-in Preview app can open HEIC files and export them as JPG with no additional software needed.

  1. Open your HEIC file in Preview (double-click, or right-click → Open With → Preview)
  2. Go to File → Export
  3. In the Format dropdown, select "JPEG"
  4. Adjust the Quality slider if needed (drag right for higher quality)
  5. Click "Save"

For batch conversion on Mac, you can select multiple HEIC files in Finder, open them all in Preview at once, then use File → Export Selected Images to convert the whole batch to JPG in one step.

Export Settings to Use

In Preview's export dialog, set quality to around 80–90% for most purposes. This gives you a small file with no visible quality loss. If the photo will be printed at large size, use 95–100%. If you're emailing or uploading to social media, 75–80% is usually fine and saves a lot of file size.

After exporting, if you want to resize the image to specific dimensions — for example, to fit a social media platform's requirements — you can do that for free in the browser too.

How to Stop iPhone Saving Photos as HEIC

If you'd rather your iPhone just shoot JPG from the start — skipping the conversion step entirely — you can change this in Settings:

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone
  2. Scroll down and tap Camera
  3. Tap Formats
  4. Select Most Compatible instead of "High Efficiency"

From this point on, your iPhone will save new photos as JPG. Existing photos already saved as HEIC will remain in that format until you convert them.

The trade-off: JPG photos will take up roughly twice as much storage as HEIC at the same quality. If you have 256GB or more, this probably doesn't matter. If you're on 64GB and regularly running low, HEIC's storage savings are worth the occasional conversion step.

Try it free — no upload required

Convert HEIC to JPG instantly in your browser. Your photos never leave your device — no upload, no account, no cost.

HEIC to JPG Converter — Free Online

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a HEIC file?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default photo format used by iPhones since iOS 11. It uses the HEVC codec to compress images at roughly half the file size of JPG with the same visual quality. The downside is that many apps, websites, and older operating systems cannot open HEIC files without additional software or conversion.

How do I convert HEIC to JPG for free?

You can convert HEIC to JPG for free using JustDownsize online — no upload needed, everything runs in your browser so your photos never leave your device. On Mac, you can use the built-in Preview app. On Windows, install the HEIC Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store (free) to open HEIC files in the Photos app and export as JPG.

Why does my iPhone take photos in HEIC format?

Apple switched iPhones to HEIC format by default in iOS 11 because HEIC files are roughly 50% smaller than equivalent JPG files at the same quality. This saves significant storage space. You can switch to JPG in Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible.

Can I open HEIC files on Windows without installing anything?

Not by default. Windows does not natively support HEIC. Install the free HEIC Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store, after which the Windows Photos app can open and export HEIC files. Alternatively, use a browser-based converter like JustDownsize — no installation required at all.