iPhones running iOS 11 and later save photos in HEIC format by default. HEIC is more storage-efficient than JPG, but it's not compatible with most Windows PCs, Android phones, and web platforms. Here are the best ways to convert your iPhone's HEIC photos to JPG.

Recommended

Option 1: Convert in Browser — No App Needed (Recommended)

HEICIMG converts HEIC to JPG entirely in your browser. No download or installation required. Works in Safari on iPhone and in any desktop browser after transferring your photos.

1
Open heicimg.com in Safari on your iPhone.
2
Tap the upload area and select photos from your camera roll.
3
Tap Convert, then Download for each photo.
4
The converted JPG files are saved to your iPhone's Files app or Downloads folder.

100% private — photos are processed in Safari's memory and never uploaded anywhere. No account required.

Option 2: Change iPhone Camera Settings (Prevents HEIC Going Forward)

To stop your iPhone from shooting HEIC in the future, switch to "Most Compatible" format in Camera settings. New photos will be saved as JPG automatically.

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

This only affects new photos. Existing HEIC photos on your device still need to be converted separately.

Option 3: AirDrop to Mac (Auto-Converts on Transfer)

If you have a Mac, AirDropping HEIC photos to it and then exporting with macOS Preview converts them to JPG. Open the photo in Preview → File → Export → select JPEG.

Option 4: Download from iCloud.com on Windows

When you download iPhone photos from iCloud.com on a Windows PC, Apple automatically converts them to JPG before the download. No extra steps needed.

Why Does iPhone Use HEIC Instead of JPG?

Apple switched to HEIC with iOS 11 in 2017. HEIC files are about 40-50% smaller than JPG at equivalent visual quality. A typical 12-megapixel iPhone photo is ~3 MB as HEIC vs ~6 MB as JPG. This lets iPhone users store many more photos on the same device storage.

Common Questions

Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?

Slightly, because JPG is a lossy format. However, at 85-90% quality settings the difference is almost invisible to the human eye. HEICIMG defaults to 90% quality, which gives excellent results for sharing and everyday use.

Can I convert HEIC to JPG on my iPhone without any app?

Yes. Open heicimg.com in Safari, tap the upload zone, select your HEIC photos from your camera roll, tap Convert, then Download. The entire process runs inside Safari — nothing is uploaded.

How many iPhone HEIC photos can I convert at once?

HEICIMG allows up to 20 files per session. For larger batches, convert 20 at a time and tap "Convert more" for the next batch.

Will converted JPG files keep the original EXIF metadata?

Browser-based conversion may not preserve all EXIF metadata (date taken, GPS, camera model). If metadata preservation is critical, use a desktop application such as macOS Preview, Adobe Lightroom, or iPhoto, which retain EXIF data during conversion.

How to Convert iPhone HEIC Photos to JPG