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

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is a file format that Apple introduced with iPhone 11 and later models. It compresses photos to roughly half the file size of a JPG while keeping the same visual quality. When you take a photo on a recent iPhone, it saves as HEIC by default — but many computers, websites, and older devices cannot open HEIC files without conversion.

The format exists because storage matters. A phone with 128 GB of space can hold twice as many photos in HEIC as in JPG. Apple also uses HEIC for Live Photos and portrait-mode shots, where the format stores multiple image layers in a single file.

The trade-off is compatibility. If you email an HEIC photo to someone with an older phone or Windows computer, they may see a blank attachment or an error. Most social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) convert HEIC to JPG automatically when you upload, so the problem usually surfaces when sharing files directly or printing.

Key Takeaways

  • HEIC files are about half the size of JPG files with the same image quality, which means your phone stores more photos in the same storage space.
  • iPhones with iOS 11 or later shoot in HEIC by default, but you can change this setting to JPG in the Camera app under Formats.
  • Windows computers, older Macs, and many Android devices cannot open HEIC files directly without installing additional software or converting them first.
  • Social media platforms automatically convert HEIC to JPG when you upload, but email, messaging apps, and file sharing may not.
  • You can convert HEIC to JPG on your iPhone using the Photos app, or on a computer using free online converters or built-in tools.

How HEIC compares to JPG and other formats

JPG has been the standard photo format for decades. It compresses images well enough for everyday use, and nearly every device opens it. HEIC does the same job but uses newer compression technology, so the file size drops without visible quality loss.

PNG is another common format, but it creates larger files than both JPG and HEIC. PNG works best for images with text, graphics, or transparent backgrounds — things where JPG and HEIC can introduce blurry edges. WebP is Google's answer to HEIC: it also compresses efficiently, but adoption is slower outside of Google's ecosystem.

The practical difference: if you take 100 photos on an iPhone, HEIC saves roughly 50 GB of space compared to JPG. On a phone with limited storage, that matters. On a computer with a terabyte of space, it barely registers.

Why iPhones use HEIC by default

Apple switched to HEIC because storage is a selling point. A 128 GB iPhone can hold significantly more photos in HEIC, which makes the lower-priced models more attractive. The format also handles advanced features better: Live Photos (video clips that play when you press and hold) and portrait-mode depth information both fit more efficiently into HEIC containers.

HEIC also reduces the strain on Apple's cloud storage service, iCloud. Smaller files mean users hit their storage limits more slowly, though Apple still charges for upgrades past 5 GB free.

The downside is that Apple chose to make HEIC the default without ensuring broad compatibility first. Windows did not support HEIC until 2024, and many third-party apps still do not. This created friction for users who share photos across devices.

How to change your iPhone to shoot in JPG instead

If you want your iPhone to save photos as JPG by default, open the Settings app and go to Camera. Scroll down to Formats and tap it. Select Most Compatible instead of High Efficiency. Your iPhone will now shoot in JPG, and you can share photos without worrying about compatibility.

The trade-off is storage. Switching to JPG means your phone will fill up faster. If you have plenty of space and rarely share photos directly, HEIC is the better choice. If you frequently email photos or use older devices, JPG is simpler.

You can also change the setting just for specific situations. Some users keep HEIC on for everyday photos (to save space) and switch to JPG before taking photos they plan to share immediately.

Converting HEIC files to JPG on your devices

On an iPhone, open the Photos app and select the HEIC photo you want to convert. Tap Edit, then tap Done. Tap the three dots in the top right and select Duplicate. The duplicate saves as JPG. This method works on any recent iPhone and does not require additional apps.

On a Mac, right-click an HEIC file and select Open With, then Preview. Go to File and Export. Choose JPEG from the Format dropdown and save. Macs with macOS Big Sur or later also have built-in HEIC support in the Finder, so you can often open HEIC files directly.

On Windows, the Photos app (built into Windows 11) opens HEIC files natively. If you have an older version of Windows, you can download the HEIC Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store for free, or use an online converter like CloudConvert or Convertio. Upload your HEIC file, select JPG as the output format, and download the result.

For bulk conversion, desktop software like XnConvert (Windows and Mac) or IrfanView (Windows) can convert dozens of HEIC files to JPG at once, which saves time if you have a large library.

When HEIC causes problems and how to avoid them

HEIC causes friction in three main situations: email, printing, and older software. If you email an HEIC photo to someone with an older phone or computer, they may not see it. Some email clients (like older versions of Outlook) do not display HEIC attachments. Printing services sometimes reject HEIC files, especially at drugstore kiosks or older print shops.

The simplest solution is to convert before sharing. If you know the recipient has an older device, convert to JPG first. If you are uploading to social media, you do not need to convert — Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter handle it automatically.

For printing, call ahead or check the print service's website. Most modern services accept HEIC, but some do not. Converting to JPG takes 30 seconds and eliminates the risk.

HEIC support across devices and platforms

Recent iPhones, iPads, and Macs all support HEIC natively. Windows 11 and Windows 10 (with the free HEIC Image Extensions) can open HEIC files. Most Android phones do not support HEIC by default, though some newer Samsung and Google Pixel models can open them.

Web browsers vary. Chrome, Firefox, and Safari all support HEIC, so you can view HEIC files in a browser window. However, older versions of these browsers may not, so if someone sends you an HEIC file and your browser does not display it, updating your browser often fixes the problem.

Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive all accept HEIC uploads, though they may convert the files automatically depending on your settings. iCloud Photos keeps HEIC files in their original format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open HEIC files on a Windows computer?

Yes. Windows 11 opens HEIC files in the Photos app by default. On Windows 10, download the free HEIC Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store, then right-click an HEIC file and open it with Photos. Alternatively, use a free online converter like CloudConvert or Convertio.

Why does my email recipient say they cannot see my photo?

They likely have an older device or email client that does not support HEIC. Convert the photo to JPG before sending. On your iPhone, open Photos, select the image, tap Edit, tap Done, tap the three dots, and select Duplicate — the copy saves as JPG. Then attach the JPG version to your email.

Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce image quality?

No. HEIC and JPG both compress images, but the quality loss is imperceptible to the human eye in both formats. Converting from HEIC to JPG does not degrade the image further — you get the same visual result as if you had shot in JPG originally.

Should I switch my iPhone to JPG or keep using HEIC?

Keep HEIC if you have limited storage or rarely share photos directly with older devices. Switch to JPG if you frequently email photos, use older computers, or print from drugstore kiosks. You can also change the setting per situation — keep HEIC on most of the time and switch to JPG before taking photos you plan to share immediately.

Do social media platforms accept HEIC files?

Yes. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and most other social media platforms accept HEIC uploads and automatically convert them to JPG or WebP on their servers. You do not need to convert before uploading.