How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows & Mac — Every Method

You've transferred iPhone photos to your Windows PC — and they're all .HEIC files that nothing can open. Or you're on a Mac trying to share photos with someone who can't see them. HEIC is Apple's default photo format since iOS 11, and while it's excellent on Apple devices, it creates friction everywhere else. This guide covers every method to convert HEIC to JPG on any device.

What Is HEIC and Why Does iPhone Use It?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's photo format based on the HEVC video codec. Apple switched from JPEG to HEIC with iOS 11 in 2017 for one primary reason: HEIC photos are 40–50% smaller than equivalent JPEG files at the same visual quality. For a device with 64–128GB of storage and a 48-megapixel camera, that's a significant storage saving.

The trade-off is compatibility. JPEG has been universal since 1992. HEIC, being newer and developed primarily for Apple's ecosystem, isn't natively supported by Windows, most Android devices, or many web services. This creates the HEIC problem: great for storage on iPhone, frustrating when you try to share or edit photos elsewhere.

How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Windows

Method 1: imgavio (Free, No Installation)

The fastest method requiring nothing but a browser. Go to imgavio's HEIC to JPG converter, drop your HEIC files, set quality, and download the JPGs instantly. Works in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. Processes files entirely in your browser — no server upload. Supports batch conversion of hundreds of files at once.

Method 2: Install HEIF Codec (Native Windows Support)

Microsoft provides a HEIF Image Extensions codec that gives Windows native HEIC support. After installation, Windows Photos, Paint, and most Windows apps can open HEIC files directly — without converting first.

1. Open the Microsoft Store (search for it in the Start menu)
2. Search for "HEIF Image Extensions"
3. Install it (free on Windows 11; may cost ~$1 on Windows 10)
4. Restart your computer
5. HEIC files will now open in Windows Photos and other apps

To convert to JPG after installation: open the HEIC file in Windows Photos, click the three-dot menu, select Save As, and choose JPEG as the format.

Method 3: iCloud for Windows

If you use iCloud Photos, installing the iCloud for Windows app automatically converts HEIC photos to JPEG as they sync to your PC. Go to Settings within iCloud for Windows and enable "Download new photos and videos to my PC." Photos will arrive as JPG instead of HEIC.

How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac

Method 1: Preview (Built-in, Easiest)

Mac's Preview app handles HEIC natively and can export to JPEG. Open the HEIC file in Preview, go to File → Export, select JPEG from the format dropdown, adjust quality with the slider (85–90 recommended), and save. For multiple files: select them all in Finder, right-click → Open With → Preview. In Preview, select all images, then File → Export Selected Images → JPEG.

Method 2: Photos App

Import HEIC photos into the Photos app (File → Import), select the photos you want to convert, then File → Export → Export Photos. In the export dialog, choose JPEG as the file type and set quality to High or Maximum.

Method 3: Automator (Batch Conversion)

For converting large numbers of HEIC files, Mac's Automator can batch process them. Create a Quick Action or Folder Action that takes HEIC files and exports them as JPEG. This is more technical but handles thousands of files automatically.

Convert HEIC to JPG Online — Works on Any Device

Browser-based converters work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, Android, and iOS without any installation. imgavio's HEIC to JPG converter processes files entirely in your browser — your photos never leave your device.

Change iPhone to Shoot JPG Instead of HEIC

If HEIC compatibility is a recurring problem, the simplest long-term solution is changing your iPhone to capture JPEGs by default:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Scroll down to Camera
3. Tap Formats
4. Select Most Compatible (instead of High Efficiency)

From now on, your iPhone will shoot JPEG instead of HEIC. Photos will be slightly larger (40–50% bigger files) but will open on any device without conversion. Existing HEIC photos remain as HEIC — only new photos are affected.

Quality Settings for HEIC to JPG Conversion

When converting HEIC to JPEG, quality setting determines the balance between file size and visual quality:

For most sharing purposes, quality 82–88 is the sweet spot — significantly better than HEIC's compression without the massive file sizes of quality 95+. Use imgavio's quality slider to find the right balance for your use case.

Batch Converting Many HEIC Files

For large photo libraries — hundreds or thousands of HEIC files — manual conversion is impractical. Here are the best batch conversion approaches:

imgavio Batch Converter

imgavio's HEIC to JPG converter supports unlimited batch processing. Select or drag all your HEIC files at once, set quality once, and click Process All. Download all converted JPGs as a single ZIP file. This works for dozens or hundreds of files simultaneously, all processed locally in your browser.

Mac Automator

For Mac users with thousands of files, create an Automator workflow: Launch Automator → New Document → Quick Action → Add "Get Specified Finder Items" → Add "Change Type of Images" → Set output to JPEG. Run on any folder of HEIC files.