How do I convert HEIC to JPG for free?

Drop your HEIC file onto the PhotoTools converter, choose JPG, and download. It decodes the file in your browser using the open-source heic2any library — free, with no upload and no software to install.

Can I convert HEIC to JPG on Windows?

Yes. Because the conversion runs in the browser, it works on Windows without the paid Microsoft HEVC codec, and on Android, Mac and Linux too.

Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?

There is a small one-time re-encode, but at high quality the result is visually identical for normal use. Keep the original HEIC if you plan to edit further.

Will converting to JPG keep my photo’s location data?

Often not — re-encoding through the browser canvas typically drops EXIF, including GPS. If you specifically want to keep or remove metadata, check the converted file before sharing.

How to Convert HEIC to JPG (iPhone Photos)

HEIC is the default photo format on iPhones. Learn why it exists, why other apps can't open it, and how to convert HEIC files to JPG for free.

What is HEIC?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format for iPhones since iOS 11 (2017). It uses the HEVC (H.265) codec, the same compression technology used for 4K video.

The main advantage of HEIC over JPG is file size. An iPhone photo saved as HEIC is typically 40–50% smaller than the same photo saved as JPG at equivalent visual quality. This means you can store roughly twice as many photos in the same storage space.

Why can't I open HEIC files on Windows or Android?

HEIC is an Apple-specific default that is not natively supported by Windows (without a paid Microsoft codec), Android, or most web platforms. When you AirDrop a photo to a Mac it remains as HEIC, but when you share it via Messages or email to a non-Apple device, iOS automatically converts it to JPG.

If you've transferred files via a USB cable or cloud storage, you'll end up with the raw HEIC files that Windows Photo Viewer and most image editors cannot open.

How to convert HEIC to JPG with PhotoTools

1. Open the Convert tool. 2. Drop your HEIC file (or multiple HEIC files) onto the upload area. 3. The file will be decoded automatically in your browser — no software installation needed. 4. Select JPG as the output format. 5. Download the converted file.

PhotoTools uses the open-source heic2any library to decode HEIC files entirely in your browser. Your photos are never uploaded to a server.

How to stop your iPhone from saving photos as HEIC

If you prefer your iPhone to save photos as JPG by default: 1. Open Settings. 2. Tap Camera → Formats. 3. Select "Most Compatible" instead of "High Efficiency".

Note that switching to JPG will increase the storage used per photo by roughly 50%. You can also keep HEIC for storage efficiency and convert to JPG only when needed.

HEIC vs JPG: which should you use?

Use HEIC if you're staying within the Apple ecosystem and storage is a concern. iPhone, iPad, and Mac handle HEIC natively, and iCloud stores your photos in HEIC.

Use JPG if you frequently share photos with non-Apple users, upload photos to websites, or edit images in software that doesn't support HEIC. JPG is the universal standard with near-100% compatibility across all platforms and applications.