How to Open HEIC Files on Windows, Mac, and Other Devices

HEIC files open natively on Apple devices, but Windows and Android require conversion or third-party software

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's modern photo format, smaller and higher quality than older JPEG files. If you received an HEIC file from an iPhone or Mac user, your device may not recognize it automatically. On a Mac or iPhone, HEIC files open in the default Photos app or Preview without extra steps. On Windows, Android, or older systems, you will need to convert the file to JPEG or use software that reads HEIC.

The simplest path depends on what device you own and whether you want to keep the file as HEIC or change it to a more universal format.

Key Takeaways

Mac and iPhone users can open HEIC files by double-clicking them or opening them in Photos, Preview, or Mail — no conversion needed.
Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC files natively if you install the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store, which is free.
Android phones do not support HEIC natively; you will need to convert the file to JPEG on a computer first or use a third-party app like Google Photos.
Online converters like CloudConvert or Zamzar can turn HEIC to JPEG without installing software, though uploading photos to the internet carries privacy trade-offs.
The fastest method for most people is asking the sender to export the photo as JPEG instead, which takes them 10 seconds in their Photos app.

Opening HEIC on Mac and iPhone

If you own a Mac running macOS 10.13 or later, or an iPhone running iOS 11 or later, HEIC files open automatically. Double-click the file and it will open in Preview. You can also drag it into Photos, Mail, or any other app that handles images. No software installation or conversion is necessary.

To confirm your Mac supports HEIC, check System Preferences > General and look for the macOS version number. Any Mac sold in the last five years supports HEIC. If you are using an older Mac, you can still convert HEIC to JPEG using Preview: open the file, go to File > Export, and choose JPEG from the format dropdown.

Opening HEIC on Windows 10 and 11

Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC files if you install the free HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Open the Microsoft Store app, search for "HEIF Image Extensions," and click Install. The extension takes about 30 seconds to download. After installation, double-clicking an HEIC file will open it in the default Windows photo viewer.

If you prefer not to install software, you can convert HEIC to JPEG using an online tool instead. See the section below on online converters for that route. Some older versions of Windows 7 or 8 do not support HEIC at all, even with extensions, so conversion is your only option on those systems.

Opening HEIC on Android phones and tablets

Android does not support HEIC natively. If you receive an HEIC file on your Android phone, you have two options: convert it to JPEG first, or use Google Photos to view it. Google Photos can open HEIC files if you upload them to your Google account, though this requires an internet connection and uploads the photo to Google's servers.

To convert on your Android phone, you can use a third-party app like Image Converter or HEIC to JPG Converter from the Google Play Store. Search for "HEIC converter" in the Play Store and choose an app with good reviews. Most are free and work offline. Alternatively, ask the person who sent you the file to convert it to JPEG on their device before sending it — this is faster than installing an app.

Converting HEIC to JPEG on your computer

If you want to keep a copy of the photo in JPEG format, you can convert it on Windows, Mac, or Linux. On Mac, open the HEIC file in Preview, click File, select Export, and choose JPEG from the Format dropdown. On Windows, use the free online converter CloudConvert or Zamzar (see next section), or install software like XnConvert, which handles HEIC and many other formats.

Converting on your computer keeps the photo private — it does not upload anything to the internet. The trade-off is that JPEG files are larger than HEIC, so the converted file will take up more storage space. If you only need to view the photo once, conversion may not be worth the extra step.

Using online converters for HEIC to JPEG

Online tools like CloudConvert, Zamzar, and Online-Convert let you upload an HEIC file and download it as JPEG without installing software. Go to the website, click Upload, select your HEIC file, choose JPEG as the output format, and click Convert. The converted file downloads to your computer in seconds.

The main drawback is privacy: your photo is uploaded to a third-party server, even if only temporarily. If the photo contains personal information or you prefer not to upload images to the internet, use a desktop converter or ask the sender to convert it instead. Most online converters are free, but some limit the file size or number of conversions per day unless you pay.

Asking the sender to convert the file

The fastest solution is often to ask the person who sent you the HEIC file to export it as JPEG instead. On an iPhone or Mac, this takes about 10 seconds. They open Photos, select the image, tap Share (or right-click and select Share), choose Mail or AirDrop, and select JPEG as the format. The file arrives in your inbox as a standard JPEG that opens on any device.

This approach avoids conversion steps on your end and means you receive the photo in a format your device already supports. It works best if you receive HEIC files regularly from the same person — after the first time, they can set their phone to export as JPEG by default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did I receive an HEIC file instead of a JPEG?

iPhones and newer Macs save photos as HEIC by default because the format is smaller and higher quality than JPEG. The person who sent it may not have realized you use a different device. HEIC is Apple's standard, but it is not universal yet, so cross-device sharing often requires conversion.

Will converting HEIC to JPEG make the photo look worse?

JPEG is a lower-quality format than HEIC, so technically the converted file loses some detail. In practice, the difference is invisible to the human eye for most photos. If the original photo is very high resolution or contains fine detail, you may notice a slight drop in sharpness, but for everyday photos, JPEG conversion is fine.

Can I change my iPhone to save photos as JPEG instead of HEIC?

Yes. On iPhone, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and select Most Compatible. This tells the phone to save new photos as JPEG instead of HEIC. Existing HEIC photos stay in HEIC format, but all future photos will be JPEG. This setting makes sharing easier if you frequently send photos to Android users or older devices.

Is it safe to use online HEIC converters?

Most established online converters are safe, but uploading any photo to the internet carries a small privacy risk. If the photo contains sensitive information, use a desktop converter instead. Check the converter's privacy policy to see how long they keep uploaded files — reputable services delete them within hours or minutes.

What if the online converter does not work?

Try a different converter — CloudConvert, Zamzar, and Online-Convert each have slightly different upload limits and supported formats. If all online converters fail, the file may be corrupted. Ask the sender to re-export and resend the photo. If it still does not work, use a desktop app like Preview on Mac or XnConvert on Windows instead.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.