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

An 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 picture quality, so your phone stores more photos without filling up as quickly.

The catch is that HEIC files don't work everywhere yet. Many older computers, websites, and programs don't recognize them. If you try to email an 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. That's why you may need to convert HEIC files to JPG before sharing them.

Key Takeaways

  • HEIC is Apple's photo format that saves storage space by making files about half the size of JPG files with the same quality.
  • iPhones with iOS 11 and newer save photos as HEIC by default, but older phones and most Android devices use JPG instead.
  • Many websites, email services, and older computers 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 need to share files frequently.
  • Windows computers and most online tools now support HEIC, but older versions of Windows and some programs still do not.

Why Apple created HEIC and what it does differently

JPG has been the standard photo format for decades. It compresses images to make files smaller, but there's a limit to how much it can shrink a file before the picture starts to look blurry or pixelated. HEIC uses newer compression technology that squeezes photos down much more without losing visible quality. A photo that takes up 3 MB as a JPG might only be 1.5 MB as HEIC.

For a phone with limited storage, this matters. If your iPhone has 128 GB of space and you take hundreds of photos a year, HEIC format means you can store roughly twice as many before you run out of room. Apple also designed HEIC to handle video and multiple images in a single file, though most people just use it for regular photos.

The tradeoff is compatibility. JPG works on almost every device made in the last 20 years. HEIC is newer and requires updated software to open. This creates friction when you want to share photos with people who have older devices or use Windows computers.

Which devices and programs can open HEIC files

Any Apple device made in the last few years can open HEIC files without any trouble. This includes iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers running recent versions of their operating systems. If you have an older Mac, you may need to update macOS to view HEIC photos.

Windows computers are catching up. Windows 10 and Windows 11 can open HEIC files if you install the HEIC Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store, which is free. Older versions of Windows (like Windows 7 or early Windows 10) cannot open HEIC files without downloading a separate program.

Android phones do not support HEIC natively. If someone sends you an HEIC file on an Android phone, you'll need to convert it to JPG first or use a third-party app. Most online photo services like Google Photos, Dropbox, and Amazon Photos now accept HEIC uploads and convert them automatically, but smaller websites or older services may not.

How to convert HEIC files to JPG on your computer

The easiest way depends on what computer you use. On a Mac, open the HEIC file in Preview (the built-in photo viewer), go to File menu, click Export, and choose JPG from the format dropdown. Save the file and you're done.

On Windows, right-click the HEIC file and select Open With. If you don't see an option to open it, you'll need to install the free HEIC Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store first. Once installed, you can open the file in the Photos app, then right-click and export it as JPG.

If your computer doesn't support HEIC at all, use an online converter. Search for "HEIC to JPG converter" and you'll find free websites where you can upload an HEIC file and download the JPG version. These tools work on any computer with a web browser. Be aware that uploading photos to an unknown website means that file passes through their servers, so don't use this method for sensitive or private photos.

How to change your iPhone to save photos as JPG instead

If you share photos frequently and want to avoid conversion headaches, you can tell your iPhone to save as JPG instead of HEIC. Go to Settings, tap Camera, scroll down to Formats, and select Most Compatible. This tells your phone to save new photos as JPG. Existing HEIC photos on your phone stay as HEIC unless you convert them individually.

The downside is that your photos will take up more storage space. If you have limited room on your phone, keeping HEIC format saves space. If you share photos often and storage isn't a problem, switching to JPG eliminates the compatibility issue entirely.

Note that this setting only affects photos you take going forward. It doesn't change photos you've already taken. If you want to convert old HEIC photos to JPG, you'll need to use one of the conversion methods described above.

When you might encounter HEIC files and what to do

You'll most likely run into HEIC files when someone with a newer iPhone sends you photos. If you try to open the file and your computer says it doesn't recognize the format, that's the HEIC problem. The fastest fix is to ask the person who sent it to resend the photos in JPG format, or to use one of the conversion methods above.

You might also encounter HEIC files if you back up your iPhone to a computer. iCloud automatically converts HEIC to JPG when you download photos from iCloud.com, but if you're transferring files directly from your phone to a Windows computer, they may stay as HEIC. In that case, convert them before trying to share or edit them.

Some older websites and email services reject HEIC files during upload. If you get an error message saying the file type isn't supported, convert it to JPG and try again. This is becoming less common as more services add HEIC support, but it still happens with smaller or older platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HEIC better quality than JPG?

HEIC and JPG can look identical to the human eye when saved at the same quality level. The difference is file size: HEIC achieves the same visual quality in roughly half the space. If you zoom in very close or edit the photo heavily, HEIC may preserve slightly more detail, but for normal viewing and sharing, the quality is equivalent.

Can I open HEIC files on my Android phone?

Android doesn't support HEIC natively, but you can install third-party apps from the Google Play Store that open HEIC files. Search for "HEIC viewer" or "HEIC opener" to find options. Alternatively, convert the file to JPG on a computer first, then transfer it to your Android phone.

Why does my iPhone take HEIC photos if they don't work everywhere?

Apple chose HEIC as the default because it saves storage space on iPhones, which have limited capacity. Most people share photos through iCloud, AirDrop, or services like Google Photos that handle the conversion automatically. The compatibility issue mainly affects people who share files directly or use older devices.

Will HEIC eventually replace JPG?

It's possible, but JPG will likely remain common for many years. HEIC is spreading slowly because it requires software updates and support from many different companies and platforms. JPG's simplicity and universal compatibility make it hard to replace completely, even though HEIC is technically superior.

Do I lose quality when I convert HEIC to JPG?

You don't lose visible quality, but the file size gets larger. When you convert from HEIC to JPG, the image itself stays the same — you're just changing the container it's stored in. The JPG version will look identical to the HEIC version, just take up more space on your device.