Since iOS 11 launched in 2017, iPhones have taken photos in HEIC format by default. If you've ever shared photos from your iPhone and had someone tell you they can't open the files, HEIC is likely the reason. Here's what HEIC is, why Apple chose it, and what you should do about it.
What Is HEIC?
HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It's Apple's implementation of the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) standard, which was developed by the MPEG group in 2013.
Under the hood, HEIC uses HEVC (H.265) compression — the same codec used for efficient 4K video — to compress still images. The result is dramatic: HEIC images are typically 40–50% smaller than equivalent JPGs with no noticeable quality difference.
A photo that would be 4 MB as a JPG might be only 2 MB as a HEIC, letting your iPhone store roughly twice as many photos in the same storage space.
Why Apple Uses HEIC
Apple switched to HEIC as the default format in iOS 11 for one reason: storage efficiency. iPhones take increasingly high-resolution photos (the iPhone 16 Pro captures up to 48 MP images), and HEIC dramatically reduces the storage impact.
HEIC also supports features JPG doesn't:
- HDR image data — stores the full dynamic range captured by the sensor
- Depth maps — used for Portrait mode and computational photography
- Live Photos — stores the motion component alongside the still image
- Sequences — can store multiple images (like burst shots) in a single file
- 16-bit color — vs JPG's 8-bit
HEIC vs JPG: The Key Differences
| Feature | HEIC | JPG | |---|---|---| | Compression | HEVC (H.265) | JPEG (DCT) | | File size | ~50% smaller | Baseline | | Transparency | Yes | No | | HDR support | Yes | Limited | | Color depth | Up to 16-bit | 8-bit | | Compatibility | Apple ecosystem | Universal | | Browser support | Safari only | All browsers |
The Compatibility Problem
HEIC's biggest weakness is compatibility. JPG has been the universal standard for decades and opens on virtually everything. HEIC is natively supported on:
- ✅ iPhones and iPads (iOS 11+)
- ✅ Macs (macOS High Sierra+)
- ✅ Safari browser
- ⚠️ Windows (requires paid HEVC extension from Microsoft Store)
- ⚠️ Android (limited native support, varies by manufacturer)
- ❌ Most web services and older software
This means HEIC files sent from your iPhone may not open for friends using Windows PCs, won't display on many websites, and aren't accepted by many photo printing services.
How to Convert HEIC to JPG
The simplest solution is converting HEIC files to JPG before sharing. You can do this without installing any software:
- Open PicsSizer's HEIC to JPG converter
- Upload your HEIC file (or drag and drop)
- Download the converted JPG
The conversion happens entirely in your browser — your photos are never uploaded to a server.
On iPhone/iPad: AirDrop with Automatic Conversion
If you AirDrop a photo from your iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC, iOS automatically converts it to JPG during the transfer. The original stays as HEIC on your device.
Disable HEIC on Your iPhone
If you prefer to always shoot in JPG:
Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible
This saves photos as JPG (and videos as H.264 instead of HEVC). The trade-off is larger file sizes per photo.
On Mac: Export from Photos App
Open the image in macOS Photos → File → Export → Export 1 Photo → Set format to JPEG.
Should You Convert All Your HEIC Photos?
If you're primarily sharing photos within Apple's ecosystem (iPhone to Mac, iCloud, etc.), HEIC is fine. The compatibility problems only appear when you need to share outside the Apple world.
For photos you plan to:
- Share on social media → Convert to JPG
- Use on a website → Convert to JPG or WebP
- Send to a non-Apple user → Convert to JPG
- Keep in your personal library → Keep as HEIC for storage efficiency
Use our Image Converter to convert to any format you need, or the dedicated HEIC to JPG tool for batch HEIC conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between HEIC and JPG?
- HEIC uses the HEIF container with HEVC (H.265) compression, which achieves roughly 50% smaller file sizes than JPG at the same visual quality. JPG has near-universal compatibility, while HEIC is natively supported on Apple devices and macOS, but requires conversion or software for Windows and Android.
- Can I open HEIC files on Windows?
- Yes, but you need to install the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store (a small paid add-on) or convert the HEIC file to JPG first. Alternatively, you can open HEIC files in any browser by converting them online for free using PicsSizer's HEIC to JPG converter.
- How do I stop my iPhone from taking HEIC photos?
- Go to Settings → Camera → Formats and select 'Most Compatible'. Your iPhone will then save photos as JPG instead of HEIC. The trade-off is larger file sizes per photo.
- Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
- Converting HEIC to JPG involves re-encoding the image as JPEG, which can introduce minor quality loss depending on the JPEG quality setting used. Converting at quality 90 or higher produces results that are visually indistinguishable from the original.
- What is HEIF vs HEIC?
- HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) is the container specification. HEIC is the file extension Apple uses when HEIF stores a single image compressed with HEVC. Think of HEIF as the format standard and HEIC as Apple's implementation of it.