What Is a HEIC File? How to Open and Convert It (Free)
A HEIC file is the photo format iPhones use by default. Learn why it won't open on Windows or upload to some sites, and how to convert it to JPG free.
Updated · 4 min read
Use the free HEIC to JPG ConverterTurn HEIC files into JPG in seconds. Batch convert as many as you like.No sign-up, no upload – runs in your browserConvert nowWhat is a HEIC file? It is a photo saved in the High Efficiency Image Container format. It has been the default on iPhones and iPads since iOS 11, so if a photo came from an iPhone and ends in .heic, that is why. HEIC photos look just as good as JPGs at about half the size – the problem is that Windows, many websites and older apps cannot open them.
The quickest fix is to convert the photo to JPG, which opens everywhere.
Why do iPhones use HEIC?
Apple switched to HEIC to save storage. A typical 12-megapixel iPhone photo is around 1.5–2 MB as HEIC versus 3–4 MB as JPG, with no visible difference. HEIC can also store several images in one file, which is how Live Photos and burst shots work.
Why won't my HEIC file open?
HEIC uses the HEVC (H.265) codec, which is patent-licensed. That is why support is patchy:
| Where you open it | Does HEIC work? |
|---|---|
| iPhone, iPad, Mac (Photos, Preview) | Yes |
| Windows 10 / 11 Photos app | Only with the paid HEVC extension |
| Chrome, Edge, Firefox | No |
| Google Photos, Dropbox | Yes, they show a preview |
| Job, visa and exam upload forms | Usually rejected |
| Word, PowerPoint, older Photoshop | Often no |
How to convert a HEIC file to JPG
- Open the free HEIC to JPG converter.
- Drop your HEIC photos into the box, or tap it to pick them from your files.
- Each photo converts in about a second, right in your browser – nothing is uploaded.
- Click Download, or Download all as ZIP if you added several photos.
Need a transparent background or a lossless copy instead? Use HEIC to PNG. Sending several photos as one document? Use HEIC to PDF.
How to open a HEIC file without converting
- On Windows: install HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store (it costs about $0.99), then the Photos app will open HEIC.
- On Mac: double-click the file – Preview opens it natively.
- On Android: Google Photos and most recent gallery apps can display HEIC.
If you only need to send or upload the photo, converting is faster than installing anything.
How to stop your iPhone taking HEIC photos
- Open Settings.
- Tap Camera, then Formats.
- Choose Most Compatible.
New photos will now save as JPG. Your iPhone also converts HEIC to JPG automatically when you email photos or AirDrop them to a non-Apple device – set Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC to Automatic.
Can I just rename .heic to .jpg?
No. Renaming changes only the label, not the data inside. Some apps will refuse the file, others will show an error or a blank image. A real conversion decodes the HEIC photo and saves it again as a proper JPEG, which is what the converter above does.
Will converting change my photo?
The picture itself stays the same: same colours, same size in pixels, same orientation. Two things are worth knowing:
- File size goes up. A JPG of the same photo is usually 1.5–2× larger than the HEIC. If a form has a size limit, resize the JPG to 100KB or 50KB after converting.
- Live Photo motion is dropped. A Live Photo is a still HEIC plus a short video. Converting keeps the still frame.
How to send HEIC photos to someone on Windows or Android
If you are sharing from an iPhone, the simplest options are:
- Email or messaging apps – iOS usually converts the photo to JPG automatically when it leaves the Photos app.
- AirDrop to a Mac – the Mac keeps HEIC and opens it fine.
- USB cable to a PC – set Transfer to Mac or PC to Automatic so Windows receives JPGs.
- Cloud links (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) – these keep the original HEIC, so the person receiving them may need to convert. Send them the HEIC to JPG converter link; it works on their phone too.
HEIC vs JPG at a glance
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | About half | Larger |
| Quality | Excellent | Excellent at high quality |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| Opens everywhere | No | Yes |
If a website asks for a smaller file after converting, run the JPG through the image compressor or resize it to an exact KB size.
Frequently asked questions
Is HEIC better than JPG?
HEIC keeps the same visible quality at roughly half the file size of a JPG, and it supports transparency and 16-bit colour. JPG wins on compatibility: every device, app and website accepts it.
Why won't my HEIC photo open on Windows?
Windows 10 and 11 need the paid HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store to decode HEIC. Without it, the Photos app shows a blank or error. Converting the photo to JPG avoids the extension entirely.
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
Very little. At 90% quality a JPG looks the same as the HEIC original for normal photos. The file just gets bigger.
How do I stop my iPhone saving photos as HEIC?
Go to Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG. Photos you already took stay HEIC.
Is it safe to convert HEIC photos online?
It is with ConvertLime, because the conversion runs inside your browser. Your photos are never uploaded to a server.