What is a HEIC file?
Updated · 4 min read
HEIC is the format iPhones use for photos by default. It keeps photos small without losing quality — but outside Apple’s world it’s a headache: Windows, many Android apps, websites and upload forms often can’t open it.
Apple switched iPhones to HEIC to save storage: the same photo takes roughly half the space of a JPG. The trade-off is compatibility.
HEIC vs JPG
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | About half the size of JPG | Small for photos |
| Compatibility | Apple devices; poor support on Windows, Android and the web | Everywhere — every phone, browser, app and printer |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
How to open HEIC files
- On a Mac or iPhone: they just open
- On Windows: install Microsoft’s HEIF and HEVC extensions, or convert to JPG
- On Android and websites: convert to JPG first — most upload forms reject HEIC
Stop your iPhone saving HEIC
On iPhone, go to Settings → Camera → Formats and choose “Most Compatible”. New photos will be saved as JPG. (Photos you already took stay HEIC — convert them instead.)
Convert HEIC to JPG privately
Our converter opens HEIC right in your browser — no app to install and no upload. Your iPhone photos never leave your device.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
Barely. At the default quality the difference is invisible, though JPG files are larger.
Is HEIC the same as HEIF?
HEIF is the container format; HEIC is HEIF with HEVC-compressed images — what iPhones use. In everyday use the names are interchangeable.