heictoimg logo heictoimg

Guide

What is HEIC?

HEIC is the photo format iPhones have used by default since 2017. It stores excellent quality in about half the space of a JPG — and it is also the reason your photo sometimes gets rejected by a website or will not open on a PC.

The format, in plain terms

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It is Apple's implementation of HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format), a standard that compresses pictures with the same technology modern video uses (HEVC). The practical result: a photo saved as HEIC takes roughly half the storage of the same photo as JPG, at similar or better visual quality.

Beyond compression, the container is more capable than JPG. It supports 16-bit color for smoother gradients, and it can hold multiple images in one file — which is how iPhones store Live Photos and burst shots.

Why iPhones use it

Apple switched the default camera format to HEIC with iOS 11 in 2017. Cameras were producing ever-larger photos, and halving the file size meant twice as many pictures in the same storage and faster iCloud syncing. On the iPhone itself the change is invisible: photos look and behave exactly as before.

The catch appears when the photo leaves the Apple ecosystem. Windows needs extra extensions from the Microsoft Store to display HEIC. Many upload forms — job portals, marketplaces, school systems, government sites — accept only JPG or PNG. Some Android devices and older software cannot read the format at all.

What to do about it

You have two practical options. To fix photos you already have, convert them: the converter on this site turns HEIC into JPG, PNG, or WebP directly in your browser — your files are not uploaded to heictoimg.com servers, and private metadata like GPS location is removed in the process.

To avoid the problem for future photos, tell your iPhone to shoot JPG instead: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. The trade-off is that new photos take about twice the storage — which is exactly why many people keep HEIC on the phone and convert only the photos they need to share.

Convert HEIC to JPG now

Frequently asked questions

Is HEIC better than JPG?

For storage, yes: HEIC fits roughly the same visual quality into about half the file size of JPG. For compatibility, no: JPG opens everywhere, while HEIC is still rejected by many websites, apps, and older devices.

Can Windows open HEIC files?

Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC after installing the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store; some PCs also need a video codec extension. Converting the photo to JPG avoids the issue entirely.

Why does my iPhone save photos as HEIC?

Apple made HEIC the default camera format in iOS 11 because it halves storage use without visible quality loss. Your iPhone displays these photos normally, so most people only notice the format when a website or PC rejects the file.

How do I stop my iPhone from taking HEIC photos?

Open Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG. Existing photos stay HEIC, but you can convert those in your browser with this site.

Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?

The conversion re-encodes the photo at high quality (90%), which is visually indistinguishable from the original for typical photos. If you need a pixel-exact copy, convert to PNG, which is lossless.

Related tools and guides

HEIC to JPG converter Convert HEIC photos in your browser, no signup. HEIC vs JPG A practical comparison of the two formats. HEIC to PNG converter Lossless output for editing and archiving. Troubleshooting Fixes for HEIC files that will not open or convert.