- ✅ 50% smaller files than JPG

tutorials

HEIC to JPG Converter: iPhone Photo Guide 2025

January 15, 2025

8 min read

beginner

iPhone displaying HEIC photos ready for JPG conversion

HEIC to JPG Converter: Complete iPhone Photo Guide 2025

If you use an iPhone, you've probably encountered HEIC files when transferring photos to your Windows PC or trying to upload them to websites. HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format since iOS 11, and while it saves storage space, it can cause compatibility headaches. This complete guide will show you how to convert HEIC to JPG easily, whether you have one photo or thousands.

📱 What is HEIC Format?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's modern image format, also known as HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format).

Why Apple Uses HEIC:

✅ 50% smaller files than JPG
✅ Better image quality at same file size
✅ Stores live photos, burst shots, depth data
✅ Supports transparency (like PNG)
✅ More efficient compression algorithm

The Problem:

❌ Not widely supported outside Apple ecosystem
❌ Windows 10 requires codec to open
❌ Most websites don't accept HEIC uploads
❌ Can't share easily with non-Apple users
❌ Social media platforms reject HEIC

💡 Quick Fact: Since iOS 11 (2017), iPhones have saved over 2 trillion photos in HEIC format!

🎯 Why Convert HEIC to JPG?

Top Reasons:

1. Universal Compatibility (99% of devices support JPG)

Works on Windows, Android, Linux
Opens in all image viewers
Accepted by all websites

2. Easy Sharing

Email attachments work anywhere
Social media platforms prefer JPG
Print shops accept JPG

3. Professional Use

Clients can open files
Compatible with editing software
Standard for portfolios

4. Website Upload

Most CMS require JPG/PNG
E-commerce platforms need JPG
Profile pictures must be JPG

🔄 How to Convert HEIC to JPG (5 Methods)

Method 1: Online Converter (Fastest & Easiest)

Using ImageWA Converter - No software installation needed

Step 1: Visit ImageWA Format Converter

Step 2: Upload HEIC files

Click "Upload Image"
Select multiple files (batch supported)
Or drag and drop from iPhone/PC

Step 3: Choose JPG format

Select "JPG" from dropdown
Set quality (80-90% recommended)
Preview if needed

Step 4: Download converted JPG

Click "Convert All"
Download individually or as ZIP
Ready to use!

Conversion Example:
Input: IMG_1234.HEIC (2.1 MB)
Output: IMG_1234.jpg (3.8 MB)
Quality: Excellent ✅
Time: 2 seconds ✅
Compatibility: Universal ✅

Method 2: iPhone Settings (Automatic)

Change iPhone to Save as JPG Automatically

Settings to adjust:

Open Settings
Tap Camera
Tap Formats
Select Most Compatible (instead of High Efficiency)

Now all new photos will be JPG!

Pros: No conversion needed for new photos
Cons: Doesn't convert existing HEIC photos

Method 3: AirDrop to Mac (Auto-Conversion)

For Mac users - Automatic conversion

Select HEIC photos on iPhone
AirDrop to Mac
Mac automatically converts to JPG
Done!

Note: Only works if Mac is set to receive as JPG (default on older macOS).

Method 4: Windows 10/11 (Built-in)

Using Paint - Free, built-in solution

Install HEIC codec from Microsoft Store (one-time)
Open HEIC file in Paint
File → Save As → JPEG
Choose quality and save

Using Photos App:

Open HEIC in Photos app
Click "..." → Edit & Create → Edit
Save a copy → Choose JPG format
Save to desired location

Method 5: Batch Conversion (100+ Files)

For converting entire iPhone photo library

Using ImageWA:

Upload all HEIC files (up to 20 at once)
Select JPG output
Set quality: 85% (balanced)
Convert All
Download ZIP file

Batch Results:
- 200 HEIC photos
- Converted in &lt; 2 minutes
- ZIP download: 850 MB
- All photos JPG format ✅

📊 HEIC vs JPG Comparison

Feature	HEIC	JPG
File Size	Smaller (50%)	Larger
Quality	Better	Good
Compatibility	Apple only	Universal
Transparency	Yes	No
Live Photos	Yes	No
Editing	Advanced features	Standard
Sharing	Difficult	Easy
Web Upload	Often rejected	Always accepted
Storage	More efficient	Standard
Future-proof	Yes	Yes

When to Use Each:

Keep as HEIC if:

Only using Apple devices
Want to save iPhone storage
Need live photos/depth data
Internal use only

Convert to JPG if:

Sharing with non-Apple users
Uploading to websites
Printing photos
Professional/client work
Email attachments

💻 Platform-Specific Solutions

On Windows:

Option 1: Install HEIC Codec

Download from Microsoft Store (free)
Allows opening HEIC files directly
Can then save as JPG using Paint

Option 2: Use ImageWA

No installation required
Works in browser
Batch processing available

Option 3: CopyTrans HEIC

Third-party codec
Integrates with Windows Explorer
Right-click convert feature

On Mac:

Built-in Preview App:

Open HEIC in Preview
File → Export
Format → JPEG
Quality slider: 80-90%
Save

Batch with Automator:

1. Open Automator
2. New → Quick Action
3. Add "Change Type of Images"
4. Set to JPEG
5. Save action
6. Right-click files → Quick Actions → Convert to JPEG

On Android:

Using Apps:

Install "HEIC to JPG Converter" app
Or use Google Photos (auto-converts)
Or ImageWA via Chrome browser

🛠️ Advanced Conversion Settings

Quality Settings Explained:

For Social Media:

Quality: 75-80%
Resize: 1080px width
Result: Small file, good quality

For Printing:

Quality: 90-95%
Keep original size
Result: Excellent quality, larger file

For Email:

Quality: 70-75%
Resize: 800px width
Result: Fast to send, acceptable quality

For Archiving:

Quality: 95-100%
Keep original size
Result: Maximum quality preserved

Batch Conversion Tips:

Organize Before Converting:

Before:
/iPhone Photos/
  ├─ IMG_1001.HEIC
  ├─ IMG_1002.HEIC
  └─ ... (1000 files)

After:
/iPhone Photos JPG/
  ├─ IMG_1001.jpg
  ├─ IMG_1002.jpg
  └─ ... (1000 files)

Best Practices:

Sort by date first
Create folders by event/date
Convert folder by folder
Verify a few samples
Delete HEIC after confirming

📱 iPhone-Specific Tips

Transfer Methods:

1. USB Cable to PC:

Plug iPhone → PC
Open "This PC" → iPhone → DCIM
Copy HEIC files
Convert using ImageWA

2. iCloud Photos:

Enable iCloud Photos
Download to PC
Choose "Download Originals"
Convert if needed

3. Google Photos:

Upload from iPhone app
Auto-converts to JPG
Download from web

4. AirDrop to Mac:

Select photos
AirDrop to Mac
Usually auto-converts

Preventing HEIC in Future:

Method 1: Camera Settings (Recommended)

Settings → Camera → Formats
→ Most Compatible ✅

Method 2: Transfer Settings

Settings → Photos
→ Transfer to Mac or PC
→ Automatic ✅

Now when you transfer, iPhone auto-converts to JPG!

🔍 Common Problems & Solutions

Problem 1: "HEIC won't open on Windows"

Solution:

Install HEIF Image Extensions from Microsoft Store
Or convert to JPG using ImageWA
Update Windows to latest version

Problem 2: "Converted JPG is too large"

Solution:

Reduce quality to 80-85%
Resize dimensions (e.g., 2000px width)
Use compression after conversion
HEIC is naturally smaller; JPG will be bigger

Problem 3: "Colors look different after conversion"

Solution:

Use quality setting 85% or higher
Ensure color profile is preserved
Check display calibration
Use professional converter

Problem 4: "Batch conversion fails halfway"

Solution:

Reduce batch size (try 50 at a time)
Check disk space
Ensure stable internet connection
Retry failed files individually

Problem 5: "Lost live photo effect"

Solution:

Live photos are HEIC + MOV file
Convert HEIC to JPG (still image)
Keep MOV file for motion
Or use Apple devices to preserve

🎨 Quality Comparison

Visual Quality Test:

Original HEIC (2.1 MB):
- Resolution: 4032x3024
- Depth: 24-bit
- Quality: Excellent

Converted JPG 95% (4.2 MB):
- Resolution: 4032x3024 (same)
- Depth: 24-bit
- Quality: Excellent (visually identical) ✅

Converted JPG 85% (3.1 MB):
- Resolution: 4032x3024
- Depth: 24-bit
- Quality: Very Good (99% similar) ✅

Converted JPG 70% (1.8 MB):
- Resolution: 4032x3024
- Depth: 24-bit
- Quality: Good (slight artifacts) ⚠️

Recommendation: Use 85% quality for best balance.

📧 Special Use Cases

For Email Attachments:

Optimal Settings:

Resolution: 1600x1200 or smaller
Quality: 75%
File size: < 500 KB each
Format: JPG

Why: Email servers have attachment limits (usually 25MB total).

Instagram:

Size: 1080x1080 (square) or 1080x1350 (portrait)
Quality: 80%
Format: JPG
Max file: 10 MB (no need for more)

Facebook:

Size: 2048px max width
Quality: 80-85%
Format: JPG
Note: Facebook compresses anyway

Twitter:

Size: 1200x675 (16:9) or 1080x1080 (square)
Quality: 85%
Format: JPG
Max file: 5 MB

For Professional Photography:

Portfolio/Clients:

Quality: 90-95%
Keep full resolution
Embed copyright metadata
Use sRGB color space

Print:

Quality: 95-100%
Resolution: 300 DPI minimum
Size: Actual print dimensions
Color space: Adobe RGB or CMYK

🚀 Automation Scripts

For Mac Users (Automator):

Create Quick Action:

1. Automator → New Quick Action
2. Workflow receives: Image files in Finder
3. Add: "Change Type of Images" → JPEG
4. Quality: 85%
5. Save as: "Convert to JPG"
6. Now: Right-click files → Quick Actions → Convert to JPG

For Windows (PowerShell):

Install ImageMagick, then:

Get-ChildItem *.heic | ForEach-Object {
    $output = $_.BaseName + ".jpg"
    magick convert $_.FullName -quality 85 $output
}

For Developers (Python):

from PIL import Image
from pillow_heif import register_heif_opener
import glob
 
register_heif_opener()
 
for heic_file in glob.glob("*.heic"):
    img = Image.open(heic_file)
    jpg_file = heic_file.replace('.heic', '.jpg')
    img.convert('RGB').save(jpg_file, 'JPEG', quality=85)
    print(f"✓ Converted: {jpg_file}")

❓ FAQs

Q: Is HEIC better quality than JPG?
A: Yes, technically. HEIC can store better quality at the same file size, or same quality at smaller file size (50% smaller).

Q: Can I convert JPG back to HEIC?
A: Yes, but there's no benefit. HEIC's advantages come from how the photo is originally captured and saved.

Q: Will converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
A: Minimal loss if you use 85%+ quality. At 90-95%, the difference is imperceptible to human eyes.

Q: Why are my HEIC files becoming JPG automatically sometimes?
A: Your iPhone has "Transfer to Mac or PC" set to "Automatic" which auto-converts when transferring.

Q: Can I stop iPhone from taking HEIC photos?
A: Yes! Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. New photos will be JPG.

Q: How do I convert thousands of HEIC files quickly?
A: Use batch converters like ImageWA (20 at a time) or desktop software like XnConvert (unlimited batch).

Q: Do I lose metadata when converting?
A: Most converters preserve EXIF data (date, location, camera settings). Verify with your chosen tool.

Q: What about HEIC videos (HEVC)?
A: That's a different format (video). Convert HEVC to MP4 using video converters.

🎯 Quick Reference

⚡ 30-Second Conversion:

Go to ImageWA Converter
Upload HEIC file(s)
Select JPG, 85% quality
Download

📋 Conversion Checklist:

Original HEIC files backed up
Quality set to 85% or higher
Batch size reasonable (< 50 files)
Sufficient storage space
Verify few samples after conversion
Delete originals only after confirming

🔗 Helpful Resources:

ImageWA Format Converter - Online, free
Batch Processing - Multiple tools
Image Compression - Reduce JPG size

🏁 Conclusion

Converting HEIC to JPG is essential for compatibility, but it doesn't have to be complicated. With ImageWA's free online converter, you can convert single files or batches in seconds, with no software installation required.