HEIC is Apple's newer photo format that takes up less storage space than older JPG files

A HEIC file is a photo format that Apple introduced with iPhone 11 and later models. HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. When you take a photo on a newer iPhone, it saves as HEIC by default instead of the older JPG format. The main reason Apple switched: HEIC files are roughly half the size of JPG files while keeping the same image quality, which means your phone can store more photos before running out of space.

The catch is that HEIC files don't work everywhere yet. Older computers, Android phones, and many websites don't recognize them. If you try to email a HEIC photo to someone with an older device, or upload it to a website that doesn't support the format, you'll run into problems. This is why understanding what HEIC is and how to handle it matters — you may need to convert your photos to JPG before sharing them.

Key Takeaways

  • HEIC is Apple's newer photo format that saves space on your iPhone by storing photos at roughly half the file size of JPG.
  • Older computers, Android phones, and many websites cannot open HEIC files, so you may need to convert them to JPG before sharing.
  • You can change your iPhone settings to save photos as JPG instead of HEIC if you share files frequently.
  • Windows computers and older Macs cannot open HEIC files without downloading extra software or converting the file first.

Why Apple switched from JPG to HEIC

JPG has been the standard photo format for decades, but it was designed when storage space was expensive and internet speeds were slow. HEIC is a newer format built for modern phones and cameras. It compresses photos more efficiently, meaning it removes less detail while making the file smaller. A photo that takes up 3 MB as a JPG might only take up 1.5 MB as HEIC — that's a significant difference when you're storing thousands of photos on a phone with limited storage.

Apple also uses HEIC because it supports features that JPG cannot, like transparency (the ability to have a see-through background) and animated photos. For Apple's purposes, HEIC is simply better technology. The problem is that the rest of the world hasn't caught up yet. Most websites, older devices, and non-Apple software still expect JPG files, which is why HEIC causes friction when you try to share photos outside the Apple ecosystem.

Which devices can open HEIC files

Any iPhone, iPad, or Mac made in the last few years can open HEIC files without any trouble — they're designed to work with the format. If you have an older Mac (pre-2017), you may not be able to open HEIC files directly. Windows computers cannot open HEIC files at all without downloading additional software first. Android phones do not support HEIC natively, though some newer Android devices have begun adding support.

Most online services like Google Photos, Dropbox, and iCloud can handle HEIC files, but older websites and email services sometimes cannot. Before you upload a HEIC photo to a website or send it to someone, it's worth checking whether that service supports the format. If you're unsure, converting to JPG is the safest option.

How to convert HEIC files to JPG on your iPhone

The easiest way to convert HEIC to JPG on your iPhone is to change your camera settings before taking photos. Open Settings, go to Camera, then tap Formats. Select Most Compatible instead of High Efficiency. From that point forward, your iPhone will save new photos as JPG. This setting does not affect photos you've already taken — those remain HEIC unless you convert them individually.

If you want to convert photos you've already taken, you have a few options. On a Mac, you can open the HEIC file in Preview, go to File, then Export As, and choose JPG from the format dropdown. On Windows, you'll need to download free software like XnConvert or CloudConvert, or use an online converter. On your iPhone itself, you can use the Files app to select a HEIC photo, tap the three dots, and look for a convert option — though this varies depending on your iOS version.

How to convert HEIC files on a Mac or Windows computer

On a Mac, the process is straightforward. Right-click the HEIC file, select Open With, then choose Preview. Once the image opens, click File at the top, select Export As, and change the format dropdown from HEIC to JPG. Give the file a new name if you want to keep the original, then click Save. The converted JPG file will appear in the same folder as the original HEIC file.

On Windows, you cannot convert HEIC files using built-in tools. You'll need to download free software. XnConvert is a popular choice — download it, open the program, drag your HEIC file into the window, select JPG as the output format, and click Convert. Alternatively, you can use an online converter like CloudConvert or Convertio. Upload your HEIC file to the website, select JPG as the output format, and download the converted file. Online converters are convenient but require uploading your photos to the internet, so consider whether you're comfortable with that before using them.

When you should keep HEIC and when you should convert to JPG

Keep HEIC files if you're storing photos on your iPhone or iCloud and rarely share them outside Apple devices. The smaller file size means you'll have more storage space, and there's no downside to using HEIC within the Apple ecosystem. Convert to JPG if you frequently share photos via email, upload them to websites, or send them to people with Android phones or older computers. JPG is the universal format — it works everywhere, even if it takes up more space.

A practical middle ground is to keep your originals as HEIC on your phone for storage efficiency, but convert to JPG before sharing. This way you get the storage benefit of HEIC without running into compatibility problems. If you find yourself converting photos constantly, it's worth changing your iPhone camera settings to save as JPG from the start, even though it uses more storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a HEIC file on my Windows computer?

Not without additional software. Windows does not recognize HEIC files by default. You can download free conversion software like XnConvert, or use an online converter like CloudConvert to change the file to JPG first. Once converted, Windows can open the JPG file normally.

Will converting HEIC to JPG make my photo look worse?

No. Both formats can store high-quality images. The difference is file size — JPG will be larger, but the visual quality will be the same. You won't see any degradation in the photo itself when you convert from HEIC to JPG.

Why does my iPhone save photos as HEIC if nobody can open them?

Apple assumes most iPhone users stay within the Apple ecosystem and rarely share photos with non-Apple devices. For those users, HEIC is better because it saves storage space. If you share photos frequently, you can change your camera settings to save as JPG instead, though this uses more storage on your phone.

Can I change all my old HEIC photos to JPG at once?

On a Mac, you can use Preview to batch-convert files by opening multiple HEIC images and exporting them all as JPG. On Windows, XnConvert allows you to select multiple HEIC files and convert them all at once. You can also use online batch converters, though uploading many photos to the internet carries privacy considerations.