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

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It is the image format that Apple devices — iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers — use by default when you take a photo. HEIC files are smaller than JPG files of the same photo, which means your phone stores more pictures in the same amount of storage space.

Apple switched to HEIC around 2017 because the format compresses photos more efficiently. A photo that might be 3 megabytes as a JPG could be 1.5 megabytes as HEIC. That difference adds up quickly if you take hundreds of photos.

The catch is that HEIC files do not open on older computers, older phones, or many websites. Windows computers, Android phones, and some older software simply do not recognize the format. This is why you might run into problems when you try to share a photo from your iPhone with someone else or upload it somewhere.

Key Takeaways

  • HEIC files are smaller than JPG files, so your iPhone stores more photos in the same storage space.
  • Windows computers and Android phones cannot open HEIC files without extra software or conversion.
  • You can change your iPhone settings to take photos in JPG format instead, which works everywhere.
  • Converting HEIC to JPG is straightforward on Mac, Windows, or online, and takes less than a minute per photo.
  • Some websites and services still do not accept HEIC uploads, so converting before sharing can save you frustration.

Why Apple chose HEIC over JPG

JPG has been the standard photo format for decades. It works on every device and every website. But JPG compresses photos in a way that loses some detail — it is called "lossy" compression. HEIC uses newer compression technology that keeps more detail while making the file smaller.

For Apple, the benefit is obvious: users get better-looking photos that take up half the storage space. For the rest of the world, it created a compatibility problem. Most software and websites were built when JPG was the only option, and many have not been updated to handle HEIC.

Apple devices can read HEIC files without any problem. But if you own a Windows computer, an Android phone, or older software, you will need to convert the file to JPG first — or use software that understands HEIC, which is still uncommon outside of Apple products.

How to change your iPhone to take JPG photos instead

If you want your photos to work everywhere without conversion, you can tell your iPhone to save them as JPG. Open Settings, tap Camera, then scroll down to Formats. You will see two options: High Efficiency (HEIC) and Most Compatible (JPG). Tap Most Compatible.

From that point forward, every photo you take will be a JPG file. The downside is that your photos will be larger, so you will fill up your storage faster. Most people keep High Efficiency on and only switch to Most Compatible when they know they will be sharing photos with people who use Windows or Android.

This setting only affects new photos. Photos you have already taken in HEIC format will stay in HEIC format. If you want to convert old photos to JPG, you will need to use a conversion tool.

Converting HEIC files to JPG on a Mac

If you have a Mac computer, the easiest way is to use the Preview app, which comes built in. Right-click the HEIC file, select Open With, then choose Preview. Once the photo opens, go to File menu, then Export. A dialog box will appear. In the Format dropdown, select JPEG, then click Save.

You can also convert multiple photos at once using Automator, which is another built-in Mac app, but the Preview method works for most people and takes about 30 seconds per photo.

If you have many photos to convert, online tools like CloudConvert or Convertio let you upload HEIC files and download them back as JPG. These work in any web browser and do not require you to install anything.

Converting HEIC files to JPG on Windows

Windows does not have a built-in tool for HEIC files. Your best option is an online converter. Go to a site like CloudConvert, Zamzar, or Online-Convert, upload your HEIC file, select JPG as the output format, and download the result. The whole process takes two minutes.

If you convert photos regularly, you can also download free software like XnConvert or IrfanView, which both handle HEIC files. Install the program, open your HEIC file, and export it as JPG. These programs work the same way on any Windows computer.

Some paid photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop can also open and convert HEIC files, but you do not need to buy anything — the free online converters work just as well.

When you will run into HEIC problems

Many websites still do not accept HEIC uploads. If you try to upload a photo to Facebook, Instagram, Gmail, or a document form and get an error message, the site probably does not recognize HEIC. Converting to JPG first will solve the problem.

Older computers and phones also cannot open HEIC files. If you email a HEIC photo to someone with a Windows computer or an older Android phone, they will not be able to open it. Again, converting to JPG before you send it avoids the problem entirely.

Some printers and photo printing services also do not accept HEIC. If you want to print a photo from your iPhone, check whether the service accepts HEIC before you upload. Most now do, but some older services still only take JPG or PNG.

HEIC versus other image formats

JPG is the most common format and works everywhere. It is older and less efficient than HEIC, but the compatibility is unbeatable. PNG is another common format that works on all devices and supports transparent backgrounds, which JPG does not. PNG files are usually larger than both JPG and HEIC.

WebP is a newer format from Google that is similar to HEIC — smaller files, good quality — but it is not as widely used. TIFF is a format for high-quality images, mostly used by photographers and designers, and creates very large files. For everyday photos, JPG and HEIC are the only formats you really need to know about.

If you are sharing photos with other people, JPG is still the safest choice because it works on every device made in the last 20 years. HEIC is better if you are storing photos on your own devices and do not plan to share them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open HEIC files on my Android phone?

Standard Android does not support HEIC natively. You can download apps like Google Photos or Heic to JPG Converter from the Google Play Store, which will let you view and convert HEIC files. The easiest option is to convert to JPG on a computer first, then transfer the JPG file to your phone.

Why does my iPhone keep taking HEIC photos even though I changed the setting?

The setting only affects new photos taken after you change it. Photos taken before the change stay in HEIC. If you want to convert old photos, use Preview on Mac, an online converter, or a Windows conversion tool. Check that you tapped Most Compatible in Settings > Camera > Formats and that the change saved.

Is HEIC better quality than JPG?

HEIC can store the same quality as JPG in a smaller file, or better quality in the same file size. For everyday photos, the difference is invisible to the human eye. HEIC is mainly better because it saves storage space on your phone, not because the photos look noticeably different.

Do I lose quality when I convert HEIC to JPG?

You lose a small amount of quality because JPG compresses the image again during conversion. The loss is usually not visible in normal photos. If you are converting a photo you care about, compare the original and converted versions side by side to see if the difference matters to you.

Can I upload HEIC files directly to social media?

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter now accept HEIC uploads from iPhones and will convert them automatically. However, some older websites, document forms, and services still do not. If you get an error message, convert to JPG first. When in doubt, JPG works everywhere.