iPhones save photos as HEIC, and Windows does not open those files on its own. There are three ways out: add an extension to Windows, batch-convert the files to JPG in your browser, or make the iPhone shoot JPG in the first place.
Last updated: November 2026
HEIC is the iPhone's default photo format. It takes about half the space of a JPG, but Windows does not ship with the decoder to read it. So when you copy photos to your PC there is no thumbnail, and a double-click ends in a "can't open this file" message. Many websites and forms refuse HEIC uploads as well.
This works one file at a time: converting 200 photos means 200 rounds of Save as.
HEIC Converter needs no install. Drag all your HEIC files onto the page, pick JPG, set the quality and convert. On a computer they all download as one ZIP.
These settings only affect what comes next; for the HEIC files you already have, use way 1 or 2.
Does converting HEIC to JPG lower the quality?
JPG is a lossy format, but at a quality around 90 the difference is not visible. The file gets larger than the HEIC. If you want no loss at all, pick PNG.
Can I open HEIC on Windows without installing anything?
To view them, Windows needs the extension. To convert them to JPG without installing anything, use a converter that runs in your browser; the files never leave your computer.
How many photos can I convert at once?
As many as you like in HEIC Converter. They are converted one after another and download as a single ZIP on a computer.
Can I make my iPhone shoot JPG?
Yes: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. New photos are JPG from then on, but they take more space.
No install, no account, nothing uploaded: