HEIC is the format an iPhone saves photos in. iPhones and Macs open it on their own, and so do most recent Android phones; the trouble usually comes on Windows, on older phones and on sites that will not accept HEIC. Below is how to open it on each device, and how to turn it into JPG when you need to.
Last updated: November 2026
Since iOS 11 (2017), Apple saves photos as HEIC by default. HEIC keeps the same picture in roughly half the space of a JPG. The price is compatibility: every device and site opens JPG, but not all of them open HEIC.
The Photos app opens HEIC directly; nothing else is needed. When you send a photo by message or email, the iPhone usually converts it to JPG on its own. Photos saved to the Files app stay HEIC.
Android 9 and later support HEIC; the gallery on recent Samsung, Xiaomi and Pixel phones and Google Photos open these files. On an older phone, or if your gallery will not open them, convert the photo to JPG: HEIC Converter works in your phone's browser too.
Windows does not open HEIC on its own; you need HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store, and some PCs also ask for the paid HEVC Video Extensions. For the steps and batch conversion, read the guide to opening HEIC on Windows.
Many application forms, shops and websites only accept JPG or PNG. Drop the file into HEIC Converter, pick JPG and download. Your photos are not uploaded anywhere; the conversion happens inside your browser. The location (GPS) data is left out of the result too.
Choose Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible and the iPhone shoots JPG from then on. Photos take more space but open everywhere. For the HEIC files you already have, use the ways above.
What is the difference between HEIC and HEIF?
HEIF is the name of the file format; HEIC is the kind of HEIF an iPhone saves. The extension may be .heic or .heif; you open and convert both the same way.
Do I have to install something to open a HEIC file?
Not on an iPhone, a Mac or most recent Android phones. On Windows you need an extension from the Microsoft Store to view them. To turn them into JPG without installing anything, a converter that runs in your browser is enough.
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 bigger than the HEIC. If you want no loss at all, pick PNG.
Which is better, HEIC or JPG?
HEIC to save space on your phone: it keeps the same picture in a smaller file. JPG to share, upload or open on older devices, because it opens everywhere.
Nothing to install, no account, your files are not uploaded: