What you need to know about converting photos to JPEG

Most phones store photos in their own format — iPhones use HEIC, and Android phones often use JPEG already, but sometimes WebP or other formats. Converting to JPEG means changing the file type so the photo works with more devices and websites. On both iPhone and Android, you can convert photos without downloading extra apps, though the steps are different depending on which phone you have.

JPEG is the oldest and most widely supported photo format. It works on every device, every email service, and every website. If you need to send a photo to someone, post it online, or use it somewhere that doesn't recognize your phone's native format, JPEG is the safest choice.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone photos in HEIC format can be converted to JPEG through Settings by changing the camera capture format, or one photo at a time through the Files app.
  • Android phones usually save photos as JPEG already, but you can convert other formats using the built-in Gallery app or Google Photos.
  • The fastest method on either phone is to use Google Photos, which stores a JPEG copy of every photo you upload.
  • Converting photos does not delete the original — your phone keeps both versions unless you manually delete the old one.

Convert photos on iPhone using Settings

If you want all future photos to save as JPEG instead of HEIC, change this in your iPhone settings. Open Settings, then tap Camera. Scroll down to Formats and select Most Compatible. From now on, new photos will save as JPEG.

This method only affects photos you take going forward. Photos you already took in HEIC stay in that format unless you convert them separately. If you only need to convert a few existing photos, use the Files app method instead.

Convert existing iPhone photos one at a time

To convert a photo you already took, open the Files app on your iPhone. Tap On My iPhone, then navigate to DCIM (this is where your Camera Roll photos live). Find the photo you want to convert, press and hold it, and tap Copy.

Now open Notes and create a new note. Paste the photo into the note. Press and hold the photo inside the note and tap Save Image. Your phone will save it as a JPEG to your Photos app. The original HEIC file stays in your Camera Roll, but you now have a JPEG version too.

This method works one photo at a time, so it is slow if you have many photos to convert. For larger batches, use Google Photos instead.

Convert photos on Android using Google Photos

Google Photos is the fastest way to convert photos on any phone. Open the Google Photos app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left. Tap Settings, then Backup and sync. Make sure Backup and sync is turned on. Google Photos will upload all your photos and store them as JPEG.

Once photos are uploaded to Google Photos, you can download them as JPEG. Open the photo, tap the three dots in the top right, and select Download. The JPEG version will save to your phone's Downloads folder. You can then move it to your Photos app if you want.

This method works on both iPhone and Android. It is slower than the other methods because it requires uploading to the internet, but it converts many photos at once without any extra steps.

Convert photos on Android using the Gallery app

Most Android phones have a built-in Gallery or Photos app that can convert formats. Open your Gallery app and find the photo you want to convert. Tap the three dots or menu icon, then look for Edit, Share as, or Export. Some phones let you choose the format directly here — select JPEG if that option appears.

If your Gallery app does not show a format option, try opening the photo in Google Photos instead. Google Photos works the same way on Android as it does on iPhone and is more reliable across different phone brands.

Use email to convert photos quickly

A simple workaround on any phone: open your email app, start a new message, and attach the photo. Most email services automatically convert photos to JPEG when you attach them. Send the email to yourself, then download the photo from your inbox. The version you download will be JPEG.

This method is not the fastest, but it works on every phone and every email service. It is useful if the other methods are not working or if you only need to convert one or two photos.

What to do if the converted photo looks different

JPEG uses compression, which means the file is smaller but loses some detail compared to the original. If your converted photo looks blurry, grainy, or has strange colors, the compression was too strong. Unfortunately, you cannot undo compression — once a photo is converted to JPEG, the lost detail is gone.

To avoid this, keep your original photos in their native format (HEIC on iPhone, or whatever your Android phone uses) and only convert to JPEG when you actually need to send or upload the photo. This way you have a high-quality original to fall back on if you need it later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will converting to JPEG delete my original photo?

No. Your phone creates a new JPEG copy and keeps the original file. You can delete either version separately if you want to save space, but converting does not automatically remove anything.

Can I convert multiple photos at once on iPhone?

The Settings method converts all future photos, but existing photos must be converted one at a time through the Files app or Notes app. Google Photos is faster if you have many existing photos to convert at once.

Why does my Android phone already save photos as JPEG?

Most Android phones use JPEG as the default format because it is the most compatible. Some newer phones or specific apps may use WebP or other formats, but the Gallery app or Google Photos can convert these to JPEG the same way.

Is JPEG smaller than HEIC?

HEIC files are usually smaller than JPEG because they use better compression. Converting to JPEG will make your files larger, so you will use more storage space. If storage is tight, keep photos in HEIC and only convert when you need to share them.

Can I convert a screenshot to JPEG?

Yes, use the same methods. Screenshots on iPhone are usually HEIC, and on Android they are usually JPEG already. The conversion process is identical to regular photos.