Why Your iPhone Uses HEIC Format

Smaller File Sizes for Better Storage

Your iPhone uses HEIC format because it’s smart about space. HEIC photos take up half the space of JPG photos. This means you can store more pictures on your phone. Imagine having a photo album that holds twice as many pictures. That’s what HEIC does for your iPhone.

Better Quality for Photo Editing

HEIC keeps more color details than JPG. This is great when you edit photos later. You can crop or fix dark photos without losing quality. Your pictures look amazing even after editing.

Modern Technology Benefits

HEIC is a newer format. Apple introduced it with iOS 11. It uses better compression methods. This means better quality with smaller files. Your iPhone works more efficiently with HEIC.

Three Easy Ways to Convert HEIC to JPG

Method 1: Use Your iPhone Settings

The easiest way is changing your iPhone settings. Your phone will then save new photos as JPG automatically. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
2. Scroll down and tap on Camera
3. Select Formats
4. Choose Most Compatible instead of High Efficiency

Your new photos will now save as JPG files. Remember, this only affects new photos. Old HEIC photos still need conversion.

Tip: If you have iOS 15 or newer, you can keep HEIC for storage savings while sharing JPGs. This gives you the best of both worlds!

Method 2: Use Free Online Converters

Online converters work great when you need to convert just a few photos. No apps needed – works on any phone or computer. Here are the best tools:

How to use online converters:

1. Go to the converter website
2. Upload your HEIC photos
3. Choose JPG as the output format
4. Click Convert and wait for processing
5. Download your converted JPG files

These tools are perfect for quick conversions. You can use them anytime, anywhere. Just make sure you have internet connection.

Method 3: Use Apps or Computer Software

When you need to convert many photos at once, apps or computer software work best. Here are some options:

For Mac Users:

• Open the Photos app
• Find your HEIC photo
• Right-click on the photo
• Select Export > Export [number] Photos
• Choose JPEG format

For Everyone:

• Google Photos: Upload your HEIC files, then download them as JPG
• HEIC to JPG app (available on iOS App Store)
• HEIC Converter app (available on Google Play Store)

Professional Software:

• Adobe Lightroom (paid)
• Preview app (Mac, free)
• Microsoft Photos (Windows, free)

These options work well when you have lots of photos to convert. They save time and keep your organized.

When to Convert HEIC to JPG

Sharing with Friends and Family

Some devices can’t open HEIC files. When you share photos with friends or family, JPG works better. Almost everyone can view JPG photos without any issues.

Using on Different Devices

If you move photos to other devices, JPG is more compatible. Windows computers older than 2021 often struggle with HEIC. Printing services usually prefer JPG format too.

Editing on Older Software

Some photo editing apps only work with JPG files. If you use older software, converting HEIC to JPG is necessary. Most online photo editors require JPG format.

Creating Backups

For important photo backups, consider keeping both formats. Keep HEIC for quality and storage. Use JPG for compatibility and sharing.

FAQ

Why can’t I open HEIC files on my Windows computer?

Most Windows computers before 2021 need special software to open HEIC files. You can install free apps like iMazing HEIC Converter or Microsoft’s HEIC Extension. Newer Windows 11 computers can open HEIC without extra tools.

Does converting HEIC to JPG make my photos look worse?

Not usually. The quality stays good unless you edit the photo many times. HEIC and JPG look almost identical on screens. Most people can’t tell the difference.

Can I convert HEIC to JPG on Android phones?

Yes, Android users have options too. Try apps like “HEIC to JPEG Converter” from Google Play Store. You can also use websites like iLoveIMG on your phone browser. The steps are similar to iPhone conversion methods.

How do I convert many photos at once?

For bulk conversion, use desktop programs like Adobe Lightroom (paid) or BatchPhoto (free trial). These apps can handle hundreds of photos in one batch. Online tools often limit the number of files you can convert at once.

Is HEIC better than JPG for everyday use?

For storage space, HEIC is better because files are smaller. For sharing and compatibility, JPG works everywhere. The best approach is to keep HEIC as your original format and convert to JPG only when needed for sharing or compatibility.