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Why iPhone HEIC photos won't open, and how to convert them to JPG

HEIC saves space on iPhones but causes problems almost everywhere else. Here is why, and the quickest ways to get a normal JPG.

By the Paul Digital team · Updated · 2 min read

What HEIC is

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the format iPhones have used for photos by default since iOS 11 in 2017. It is based on the HEVC video codec and stores a photo in roughly half the space a JPEG would need at similar quality, which is a real advantage when a phone holds thousands of pictures. It can also hold extras such as Live Photo frames and depth information.

Why it causes problems

  • Windows needs extra codec extensions to preview HEIC files, so many PCs show a blank icon or an error.
  • Many websites and forms, including most job, exam and government portals, only accept JPG and PNG.
  • Older Android apps and photo editors cannot open HEIC at all.
  • Web browsers other than Safari generally cannot display HEIC images directly.

The photo is fine; the software at the other end simply does not speak the format.

Make your iPhone save JPG instead

If you regularly share photos with Windows users or upload them to forms, change the camera setting: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPEG and videos as H.264. Photos already taken remain HEIC.

There is also a transfer setting: Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Automatic converts photos to JPEG when you copy them over a cable.

Convert existing HEIC photos

  1. In the browser: open the HEIC to JPG converter, select one or more photos, and download the JPG copies. The conversion runs on your device, so private photos are not uploaded.
  2. On iPhone: copying a photo from the Photos app and pasting it into the Files app often saves a JPG copy; sharing by email with "Actual Size" can also convert it.
  3. On a Mac: open the photo in Preview, choose File → Export, and pick JPEG.

Quality and size after conversion

The JPG will normally be larger than the HEIC, sometimes nearly twice the size, because JPEG is a less efficient format. If you need a small file for a form, convert first and then use the Image Compressor to reach the KB limit. Converting does not improve quality, and converting back and forth repeatedly loses a little detail each time, so keep the original HEIC as your master copy.

Frequently asked questions

Is HEIC better quality than JPG?

At the same file size HEIC usually looks better, or at the same quality it is smaller. The trade-off is compatibility.

Will converting HEIC to JPG lose the date and location?

It depends on the converter. Some keep metadata and some remove it. If you are sharing publicly, removing the location is usually a good thing.

More guides

Paul Digital guides are written from hands-on testing of the tools on this site and are reviewed when platforms or formats change. Requirements set by exam boards, governments and apps vary and change over time, so always check the official instructions for your case. Spotted an error? Email askpaulonline@gmail.com.