HEIC to JPG, PNG, WebP: Complete Conversion Guide

TL;DR: HEIC is Apple's iPhone photo format. Convert to JPG for universal compatibility, PNG for editing, or WebP for web use. Use our free HEIC to JPG converter to open iPhone photos on any device—processes instantly in your browser.

Can't open photos from your iPhone on Windows or Android? That's because iPhones save photos in HEIC format, which isn't supported by most non-Apple devices and software.

This guide explains what HEIC is, why Apple uses it, and how to convert HEIC files to universally compatible formats like JPG, PNG, and WebP.

What Is HEIC?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format since iOS 11:

Key characteristics:

• 50% smaller than JPG at same quality
• Supports 16-bit color (vs JPG's 8-bit)
• Can store multiple images (Live Photos, bursts)
• Supports transparency and depth maps
• Based on HEIF standard (High Efficiency Image Format)

Why Apple Uses HEIC

Apple chose HEIC for good reasons:

• Storage Savings: 50% smaller means more photos on your phone
• Better Quality: More color depth, less compression artifacts
• Advanced Features: Live Photos, depth data, HDR information
• Future-Proof: Modern compression technology

The Problem: Windows, Android, and many apps don't support HEIC natively.

Why You Need to Convert HEIC Files

You'll need to convert HEIC when:

• Sharing with Non-Apple Users: Android/Windows users can't open HEIC
• Uploading to Websites: Many sites don't accept HEIC
• Editing in Software: Photoshop, GIMP, and others prefer JPG/PNG
• Printing Photos: Most print services require JPG
• Email Attachments: Some email clients don't display HEIC
• Social Media: Some platforms don't accept HEIC uploads

How to Convert HEIC: Step-by-Step

Convert HEIC to JPG (Most Common)

JPG works everywhere—perfect for sharing iPhone photos:

Use our HEIC to JPG converter:

1. Upload HEIC file:

   • Select your iPhone photo (*.HEIC or *.heic)
   • Processing happens in your browser (private)

2. Adjust quality (optional):

   • 90-95%: Near-lossless quality
   • 80-90%: Excellent quality, smaller files
   • Lower: Smaller files, visible quality loss

3. Download JPG:

   • Universal compatibility
   • Works on Windows, Android, everywhere

Result: JPG photo that opens on any device or software.

Convert HEIC to PNG

PNG preserves perfect quality and supports transparency:

Use our HEIC to PNG converter:

1. Upload HEIC file
2. Convert to lossless PNG
3. Download high-quality PNG

Best for:

• Editing photos (lossless format)
• Images with transparency needs
• Maximum quality preservation
• Screenshots from iPhone

Convert HEIC to WebP

WebP is perfect for web use—smaller than JPG with great quality:

Use our HEIC to WebP converter:

1. Upload HEIC photo
2. Adjust quality (80-90% recommended)
3. Download web-optimized WebP

Best for:

• Website images
• Fast-loading galleries
• Modern web applications
• Storage optimization

Convert HEIC to AVIF

AVIF offers the best compression for maximum space savings:

Use our HEIC to AVIF converter:

1. Upload HEIC file
2. Convert to next-gen AVIF
3. Download ultra-compressed image

Best for:

• Maximum compression needs
• Modern websites
• Storage optimization

Convert HEIC to ICO

Create favicons from iPhone photos:

Use our HEIC to ICO converter:

1. Upload HEIC image
2. Convert to ICO format
3. Download favicon

Best for:

• Creating website favicons from photos
• Windows icons

All HEIC Converters

• HEIC to JPG – Universal compatibility
• HEIC to PNG – Lossless quality
• HEIC to WebP – Web-optimized
• HEIC to AVIF – Maximum compression
• HEIC to ICO – Favicon creation

Which Format Should You Convert HEIC To?

Decision Guide

Choose JPG when:

• Sharing with anyone (most compatible)
• Printing photos
• Email attachments
• Social media uploads
• Don't need transparency

Choose PNG when:

• Editing in photo software
• Need lossless quality
• Creating graphics from photos
• Archiving important photos

Choose WebP when:

• Publishing to websites
• Storage is a concern
• Modern browser audience
• Need good compression + quality

Choose AVIF when:

• Maximum compression needed
• Modern platforms only
• Web performance is critical

How to Stop iPhone from Saving HEIC

You can change iPhone to save JPG instead:

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Camera
3. Select Formats
4. Choose Most Compatible (saves as JPG)

Note: This uses more storage but avoids conversion needs.

Keep HEIC, Convert When Sharing

Alternatively, keep HEIC for storage benefits:

1. Keep iPhone on High Efficiency (HEIC)
2. When sharing via AirDrop to Mac → convert automatically
3. When sharing other ways → convert first using our tools

How to Open HEIC on Windows

Windows 10/11 can open HEIC with a free extension:

1. Get "HEVC Video Extensions" from Microsoft Store (may be free or $0.99)
2. Or convert to JPG using HEIC to JPG for instant access

Faster option: Converting to JPG is often easier than installing extensions.

How to Open HEIC on Android

Android doesn't natively support HEIC:

1. Use our HEIC to JPG converter in your mobile browser
2. Or install apps like "Luma" or "HEIC Converter"
3. Or ask iPhone user to share as JPG from share menu

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem: "Can't open this file" error

Solution: The device/software doesn't support HEIC. Convert to JPG using our HEIC to JPG converter for universal compatibility.

Problem: HEIC file won't upload to website

Solution: Many websites don't accept HEIC. Convert to JPG or PNG before uploading. Most sites accept JPG universally.

Problem: Photos look different after conversion

Solution: HEIC stores HDR and wide color data that JPG can't preserve. This is normal—JPG shows the standard color version. Use PNG for closer color reproduction.

Problem: Can't find HEIC files on iPhone

Solution: Check Photos app or Files app. HEIC files show as regular photos—the format is hidden. Export or share to see the actual file.

Problem: Batch convert many HEIC files

Solution: Our converters process one file at a time for privacy. For batch conversion, use desktop apps like "iMazing HEIC Converter" (Windows/Mac) or convert one by one—it's fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

HEIC is an excellent format for storage, but compatibility issues make conversion necessary for sharing with non-Apple users. JPG is the safest choice for universal compatibility, while PNG and WebP offer advantages for editing and web use.

Ready to convert? Use our free converters:

• HEIC to JPG – Universal compatibility
• HEIC to PNG – Lossless quality
• HEIC to WebP – Web-optimized

Recommended Tools:

• HEIC to JPG Converter - Most common conversion
• HEIC to PNG Converter - For editing
• HEIC to WebP Converter - For websites
• Image Compressor - Reduce any image size
• JPG to WebP Converter - Optimize after conversion

Related Articles:

• Best Online Image Converters Guide
• Image Formats Explained: Complete Guide
• JPG vs PNG vs WebP: Which Format Is Best?
• How to Compress Images Without Losing Quality