HEIC to JPG Converter
Convert iPhone HEIC photos to JPG instantly — open on any device, free, 100% in your browser
Drop image here or click to upload
JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC — max 20MB
You can also paste an image (Ctrl+V)
What Is HEIC and Why Can't I Open It on Windows?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default photo format used by iPhone and iPad since iOS 11. Apple adopted it because HEIC files are roughly half the size of equivalent JPG files at the same visible quality — a 4MB JPG becomes a ~2MB HEIC with no noticeable difference on screen.
The problem is compatibility. HEIC is based on the HEVC (H.265) video codec standard, which requires a paid license. Windows, Android, and most web platforms do not include native HEIC support by default. When you transfer iPhone photos to a Windows PC, share them via email, or try to upload them to a website, you often see errors like “file format not supported” or a blank preview icon. Converting to JPG solves this immediately — JPG is universally supported on every device, browser, and operating system built in the last 30 years.
How to Convert HEIC to JPG — Step by Step
- Upload your HEIC file — click the upload area or drag and drop your .heic or .heif photo. You can also paste a copied image with Ctrl+V.
- Wait for conversion — the tool decodes the HEIC file in your browser and converts it to JPG at quality 90. This takes 1–3 seconds for most iPhone photos.
- Download the JPG — click the download button to save the converted JPG to your device. The file is named “compressed-[original-name].jpg”.
No account required. No file size limit beyond the 20MB browser constraint. All processing happens locally in your browser — your photos are never sent to a server.
HEIC vs JPG — File Size and Quality Comparison
| Property | HEIC | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| File size (same quality) | ~50% smaller | Baseline |
| Windows native support | No (paid codec) | Yes |
| Android native support | No | Yes |
| Web browser support | Safari only | All browsers |
| Email attachments | Often blocked | Always works |
| Social media upload | Auto-converted (quality loss) | Accepted directly |
| Transparency support | Yes | No |
| HDR support | Yes | Limited |
| Editing software support | Limited | Universal |
The main reason to convert HEIC to JPG is compatibility, not quality. JPG at quality 85–90 looks identical to HEIC at comparable compression. The file will be slightly larger, but it will open everywhere without plugins or additional software.
Why iPhone Takes Photos in HEIC Format
Apple switched from JPG to HEIC as the default in iOS 11 (iPhone 7 and later) for one reason: storage. The average iPhone user takes hundreds of photos per month. HEIC cuts storage usage roughly in half compared to JPG. A 256GB iPhone can store approximately 60,000 HEIC photos versus 30,000 JPGs at the same quality level.
When you share photos from iPhone via AirDrop to a Mac, they stay as HEIC. When you share via Messages, Mail, or most sharing sheets to non-Apple devices, iOS automatically converts to JPG — but this conversion happens on-device with Apple's encoder, which applies its own quality settings. Using this tool before sharing gives you control over the output quality rather than relying on Apple's automatic conversion.
You can also change your iPhone's camera format to JPG: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. This records in JPG directly, eliminating the conversion step. The tradeoff is approximately 2× more storage used per photo.
What Quality Is Used When Converting HEIC to JPG?
This converter uses JPG quality 90, which is the standard recommendation for photo conversion. At quality 90, the output is visually indistinguishable from the HEIC original in nearly all cases — compression artifacts are invisible unless you zoom in to 400%+. The file will be slightly larger than the HEIC source but smaller than a quality-100 JPG.
If you need a smaller file (for email attachments, web uploads, or WhatsApp), use the Compress Image tool after converting. It lets you adjust quality from 1–100 and shows the exact file size before downloading.
Converting HEIC Photos for Specific Platforms
Different platforms handle HEIC uploads differently. Here's what you need to know:
- Windows: HEIC files show as blank icons in File Explorer. Converting to JPG before transferring saves the extra step of installing the Microsoft HEVC codec ($0.99 in the Microsoft Store).
- Google Drive / Dropbox: Both support HEIC for storage, but previews may not render on all devices. JPG guarantees preview everywhere.
- Instagram / Facebook: Both platforms accept HEIC uploads from the iOS app, but they re-compress internally. Converting to JPG first at quality 85 gives you more control over the final quality. See Compress for Instagram and Compress for Facebook for platform-specific guidance.
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp on iOS converts HEIC before sending, but applies heavy compression. Convert to JPG first for better quality. See Compress for WhatsApp.
- Government / official portals: Most government document upload forms accept only JPG and PNG. HEIC files will be rejected. Convert first, then check the file size limit — many portals require images under 100KB or 50KB.
- LinkedIn: Accepts JPG and PNG for profile photos and posts. See Compress for LinkedIn for optimal photo sizes.
How HEIC Conversion Works in Your Browser
When you drop a HEIC file onto this tool, the browser reads the raw binary of the file and passes it to a JavaScript library called heic2any. This library decodes the HEVC compressed image data entirely in memory, reconstructing the pixel values without writing anything to disk. The decoded image is then re-encoded as a JPG using the browser's built-in canvas API at quality 90.
The entire process runs in your browser tab. There is no server involved, no network request is made with your photo, and no copy of your file is retained after you close the tab. The converted JPG exists only as a temporary object in your browser's memory until you click download, at which point it is written to your device.
Browser-based HEIC decoding is slower than native apps because JavaScript is not as optimized as compiled C++ code for image codecs. A typical 12-megapixel iPhone photo (2–4MB HEIC) takes 1–4 seconds to convert depending on your device's processor speed. Older phones and budget Android devices may take 5–10 seconds. This is normal and expected — the conversion is complete when the download button appears.
Alternatives: Converting HEIC Without a Browser Tool
If you prefer desktop solutions, here are other ways to convert HEIC to JPG:
- Windows Photos app: Right-click the HEIC file → Open with → Photos → click the “...” menu → Save a copy → select JPG. Requires the Microsoft HEVC codec to be installed.
- Apple Preview (Mac): Open the HEIC file in Preview → File → Export → choose JPEG format. Mac has native HEIC support — no extra software required.
- iPhone Settings: Go to Settings → Camera → Transfer to Mac or PC → choose “Automatic”. This converts photos to JPG automatically when you connect via USB or transfer via iCloud.
- iCloud.com: Log in at icloud.com/photos, select photos, and click the download icon. iCloud converts to JPG automatically for non-Apple browsers.
The browser tool on this page is the fastest option when you are on a Windows or Android device and need to convert a photo immediately without installing anything.