How to Change HEIC to JPG: Complete Conversion Guide

Understanding HEIC and JPG Formats

If you’ve ever tried to share photos from your iPhone or iPad with non-Apple users, you’ve likely encountered compatibility issues with HEIC files. The how to change HEIC to JPG question has become increasingly common as more Apple users need to convert their images for broader compatibility. Before diving into conversion methods, let’s understand what these formats actually are.

HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container) is Apple’s preferred image format introduced in iOS 11. It offers superior compression compared to JPG while maintaining higher image quality, which means your photos take up less storage space on your device. However, this format isn’t universally supported outside the Apple ecosystem, creating compatibility challenges.

JPG (or JPEG), on the other hand, stands as the most widely recognized image format across all devices, operating systems, and applications. Its universal compatibility makes it the go-to format when sharing images, despite offering less efficient compression than HEIC.

Why You Might Need to Convert HEIC to JPG

Understanding why you’d need to convert these file formats helps appreciate the importance of knowing various conversion methods:

  • Cross-platform compatibility: Many non-Apple systems and applications still don’t support HEIC files natively
  • Website uploads: Most websites only accept traditional formats like JPG, PNG, or GIF
  • Professional editing: Some older photo editing software lacks HEIC support
  • Social media sharing: While some platforms automatically convert files, others require JPG format
  • Printing services: Most printing businesses require standard JPG files

Now that we understand the need, let’s explore multiple methods to convert your HEIC images to JPG format.

Using Online Conversion Tools

Online converters offer perhaps the quickest solution for occasional conversion needs without requiring software installation. They work across all operating systems with an internet browser.

HEIC2JPG.cc – Specialized Online Converter

HEIC2JPG.cc provides a specialized service designed specifically for converting HEIC files to JPG format. This web-based tool offers several advantages over general file converters:

  • No installation required: Works directly in your browser
  • Batch processing: Convert multiple HEIC files simultaneously
  • Privacy-focused: Files are processed in your browser without server uploads
  • No watermarks: Converted images remain clean without added branding
  • Free to use: No subscription or payment required

To use HEIC2JPG.cc:

  1. Visit the website in your browser
  2. Click the upload button to select HEIC files from your device
  3. Wait for the conversion process to complete
  4. Download your converted JPG images individually or as a ZIP archive

The service maintains the original image quality while ensuring compatibility across all platforms. For users concerned about privacy, the client-side processing means your photos never leave your device, making it particularly suitable for sensitive or personal images.

Other Popular Online Converters

While HEIC2JPG.cc specializes in this specific conversion, other reputable online tools like Adobe Express also offer HEIC to JPG conversion among many other format options. These general-purpose converters might include additional features like basic editing capabilities, but may have limitations on file size or number of conversions for free users.

Converting HEIC to JPG on Windows

Windows users have several options for converting HEIC files to JPG format, ranging from built-in solutions to third-party applications.

Using Windows Photos App

The simplest method for Windows 10/11 users requires installing the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store:

  1. Search for “HEIF Image Extensions” in the Microsoft Store and install it
  2. Open your HEIC image with the Photos app
  3. Click the three dots in the upper right corner
  4. Select “Save as” and choose JPG format
  5. Select your destination folder and click Save

This method works well for occasional conversions but can be time-consuming for multiple files.

Using File Explorer

For batch conversions on Windows:

  1. Install the HEIF Image Extensions as mentioned above
  2. Select multiple HEIC files in File Explorer
  3. Right-click and select “Copy”
  4. Navigate to your destination folder
  5. Right-click and select “Paste as JPG”

This method allows for faster batch processing without opening each image individually.

Converting HEIC to JPG on Mac

Mac users have the advantage of native HEIC support, making conversion relatively straightforward using built-in tools.

Using Preview App

The Preview app on macOS offers a simple conversion method:

  1. Open your HEIC image with Preview
  2. Click on “File” in the menu bar
  3. Select “Export…”
  4. Choose “JPEG” from the Format dropdown menu
  5. Adjust quality slider if needed
  6. Select destination and click “Save”

This method maintains good control over the output quality but works on one image at a time.

Using Photos App

For batch conversions on Mac:

  1. Import your HEIC images to the Photos app
  2. Select all images you want to convert
  3. Click “File” > “Export” > “Export Photos…”
  4. Select “JPEG” as the format
  5. Choose quality and other preferences
  6. Click “Export” and select destination folder

This approach works well for multiple images and offers quality control options.

Using Automator

For users who frequently convert images, creating an Automator workflow can save time:

  1. Open Automator and create a new Quick Action
  2. Set “Workflow receives current” to “image files” in “Finder”
  3. Add “Copy Finder Items” action and choose a destination folder
  4. Add “Change Type of Images” action and select “JPEG”
  5. Save the workflow with a name like “Convert to JPG”

Once created, you can right-click on any HEIC file(s) in Finder, select “Quick Actions,” and choose your “Convert to JPG” workflow.

Converting HEIC to JPG on iPhone and iPad

Since iOS devices create HEIC images by default, knowing how to convert them directly on your device can be valuable.

Changing Camera Settings

To prevent creating HEIC files in the first place:

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

This setting will make your camera save photos as JPG by default, though it will use more storage space.

Converting Existing HEIC Files

To convert photos already taken in HEIC format:

  1. Open the Photos app and select the images
  2. Tap the Share button (square with an arrow)
  3. Scroll down and select “Copy Photos”
  4. Open the Files app and navigate to your desired folder
  5. Tap and hold in empty space, then select “Paste”

This process automatically converts the images to JPG format when pasting into the Files app.

Using Third-Party Apps

Several iOS apps specialize in HEIC conversion, such as Image Converter. These apps typically offer batch conversion and sometimes additional editing features.

Converting HEIC to JPG on Android

While Android devices typically don’t create HEIC files, you might receive them from iPhone users and need to convert them.

Using Gallery Apps

Some Android gallery apps support basic conversion:

  1. Open the HEIC file in your gallery app
  2. Look for an export or save as option
  3. Select JPG/JPEG format
  4. Choose destination and save

Not all gallery apps support HEIC viewing or conversion, so you might need a third-party solution.

Using Desktop Software for Batch Conversion

For professional needs or large-scale conversions, dedicated software offers more features and efficiency.

Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom

Adobe’s professional tools handle HEIC files with advanced options:

  1. Import HEIC files into Photoshop or Lightroom
  2. Make any desired edits
  3. Use the Export or Save As function
  4. Select JPG format and quality settings
  5. Choose destination and save

These applications offer precise control over compression quality and other image parameters.

Dedicated Conversion Software

Specialized image conversion software often provides batch processing capabilities with additional options:

  • iMazing HEIC Converter: Free tool for Windows and Mac
  • XnConvert: Multi-platform batch image processor
  • ImageMagick: Command-line tool for advanced users

These applications typically offer drag-and-drop interfaces and batch processing features that make converting multiple files efficient.

Command Line Conversion Options

For technically inclined users, command-line tools provide powerful automation options.

Using ImageMagick

After installing ImageMagick:

magick convert input.heic output.jpg

For batch conversion:

magick mogrify -format jpg *.heic

Using sips on macOS

Mac users can use the built-in sips command:

sips -s format jpeg input.heic --out output.jpg

For batch conversion:

for file in *.heic; do sips -s format jpeg "$file" --out "${file%.heic}.jpg"; done

Preserving Image Quality During Conversion

When converting from HEIC to JPG, quality loss can occur due to JPG’s compression algorithm. Here are tips to minimize quality degradation:

  • Use high-quality settings: Most converters allow you to set quality levels; choose 90-100% for minimal loss
  • Avoid multiple conversions: Each conversion compounds quality loss
  • Choose appropriate tools: Professional software typically offers better quality preservation
  • Consider file size needs: Higher quality means larger files

For critical photos, consider archiving the original HEIC files while using JPG copies for sharing.

Troubleshooting Common Conversion Issues

Even with the right tools, you might encounter problems when converting HEIC files:

Image Not Recognized

If your system or application doesn’t recognize HEIC files:

  • Install HEIF codecs for your operating system
  • Update your software to the latest version
  • Try an online converter like HEIC2JPG.cc that handles format recognition in-browser

Quality Loss

If your converted images show significant quality degradation:

  • Increase quality settings in your conversion tool
  • Try a different conversion method or software
  • Check if the original HEIC file is intact and not corrupted

Metadata Loss

To preserve important metadata during conversion:

  • Use tools that specifically support metadata preservation
  • Check metadata preservation options in your conversion software
  • Consider professional tools like ExifTool for metadata management

Automating HEIC to JPG Conversion

For users who regularly need to convert HEIC files, automation can save significant time:

Folder Actions on macOS

Create a Folder Action to automatically convert HEIC files when added to a specific folder:

  1. Create an Automator workflow as described earlier
  2. Save it as a Folder Action instead of Quick Action
  3. Select the folder to monitor

Windows Task Scheduler with Scripts

Windows users can create PowerShell scripts and schedule them to run at specific times or triggers.

Cloud Storage Auto-Conversion

Some cloud storage solutions offer automatic format conversion upon upload, which can be leveraged for seamless workflow integration.

Comparing File Sizes: HEIC vs. JPG

Understanding the storage implications helps make informed decisions about when to convert:

  • HEIC files are typically 40-50% smaller than JPG files of comparable quality
  • Converting a 2MB HEIC file to JPG might result in a 3-4MB file
  • For large photo collections, this size difference can significantly impact storage needs

Consider keeping original HEIC files for storage and creating JPG copies only when needed for sharing or compatibility.

Privacy Considerations When Using Conversion Tools

When converting personal or sensitive images, privacy becomes important:

  • Local vs. cloud processing: Tools like HEIC2JPG.cc that process files locally offer better privacy than services requiring uploads to remote servers
  • Terms of service: Check if online services claim ownership or usage rights to uploaded content
  • Data retention policies: Some services may store your images temporarily or permanently
  • Network security: Consider using encrypted connections when uploading images online

For maximum privacy, prefer offline tools or online services with clear privacy policies that process files in your browser rather than on their servers.

Future of Image Formats: Will HEIC Become Standard?

As technology evolves, the landscape of image formats continues to change:

  • HEIC adoption is gradually increasing, with more non-Apple platforms adding support
  • WebP format from Google presents another efficient alternative gaining popularity
  • AVIF format (AV1 Image File Format) shows promise as a future standard
  • JPG remains the universal fallback for maximum compatibility

While HEIC offers technical advantages, JPG’s universal support ensures it will remain relevant for years to come, making conversion knowledge valuable for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

Converting HEIC images to JPG format is a common need in today’s cross-platform digital environment. Whether you’re using specialized online tools like HEIC2JPG.cc, built-in operating system features, or professional software, multiple solutions exist to meet different needs and technical comfort levels.

For occasional conversions, online tools provide convenience and accessibility. For regular conversions, consider setting up automated workflows or adjusting your device settings to save directly in JPG format when compatibility is a priority. While HEIC offers storage benefits, JPG’s universal compatibility makes it the safer choice for sharing and using images across different platforms and services.

By understanding the various conversion methods available, you can efficiently manage your photos while ensuring they’re accessible whenever and wherever you need them.