Alex is a photographer who works in the publishing industry. He has taken some beautiful images on his iPhone and needs to share them with his team.

But the images don't open in his system because his system is incompatible with the image format in HEIC. So, he needs to find a way to convert HEIC to JPG, a more common and compatible image format. 

If you're someone like Alex who needs to convert HEIC to JPG or want to learn how to do it on different devices and operating systems, this article is for you.

TL;DR: How to convert HEIC to JPG

• HEIC is a file format used by Apple that compresses images while maintaining quality.
• HEIC files are incompatible with other devices, so they need to be converted to JPG for viewing.
• See step-by-step guides for converting HEIC to JPG on different devices and operating systems, like Windows, Mac, iPhones, Andriod, Samsung, and more.
• Online tools and software can be used for batch conversion of HEIC files to JPG.
• Learn best practices for converting, converting HEIC to JPG, including resolution, compression level and metadata preservation.

Wh‎at is a HEIC file?

HEIC is Apple’s proprietary version of the HEIF or High-Efficiency Image File format. This new file format helps to save images in a compressed way so that the quality of the image is still retained while the file size is reduced.

However, the HEIC file format is incompatible with other devices, so you might not open a HEIC file on a laptop or Android phone. 

‎Th‎e difference between HEIC and JPEG formats

Let's briefly discuss the differences between HEIC and JPEG formats.

HEIC is a container format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) that uses advanced compression algorithms to reduce file size while maintaining image quality.

On the other hand, JPEG is a widely used image format that offers good compression while sacrificing some image quality.

Wh‎y convert HEIC to JPG?

While HEIC is a better file format than JPG (it compresses the file while storing so less data is consumed), this file format is incompatible with other devices and systems. And so, to view it on a non-Apple device, you need to convert it to a JPG format. 

Ho‎w to view HEIC files on Windows

To view a HEIC file on Windows,

• Find a HEIC file in File Explorer and double-click on it. 
• Open it in the Photo App.
• If the file doesn't open in the Photos App, right-click it and select “Open With > Photos.”
• The Photos App will prompt you to download a HEIF Image Extension. 
• Click the download button and install it. 
• You can download the app for free from the Microsoft Store.
• Once installed, you can view the HEIC file on Windows. 

‎Ho‎w to convert HEIC to JPEG

HEIC files can be easily converted to JPEG format on other devices and systems with in-built apps and third-party software. Here are a few ways:

Ho‎w to convert HEIC to JPG in Windows

If you’re using Windows 11, you can easily convert HEIC to JPEG using the in-built Photos App. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Open the image you want to convert in the Photos App.
2. Click the ellipsis icon on the menu bar.
3. Click save and change the save as type field to JPG or JPEG.
4. Save, and you're done.

‎Ho‎w to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows 10 without software

1. Install the HEIF image extension on your PC from the Microsoft store. 
2. Open your HEIC image on your in-built Photos app, and you can view it with the HEIF extension installed.

‎‎‎Ho‎‎‎w to convert HEIC to JPG on Mac

The built-in Preview app is the easiest way to convert HEIC to JPG on Mac. You can change it to JPG by default from HEIC if you always need to open the image in JPG. Although JPGs take more space, they’re always high-quality images so you won't have a problem with image quality. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Open the Preview app and open the HEIC image.
2. Select File.
3. Select Export.
4. Choose the format to JPG from the drop-down menu.
5. Rename your file and select where you want to save it.
6. Click save.

‎‎Ho‎‎w to convert HEIC to JPEG on iPhone

Converting HEIC to JPG on an iPhone is super easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Camera > Formats > Most Compatible.
3. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
4. Tap Photos.
5. In the Transfer to Mac Or PC section, tap Automatic.
6. Open the HEIC photo you want to convert in Preview.
7. Click File, and then select Export in the menu.

‎‎‎‎‎Ho‎‎w to convert HEIC to JPG on Android

You can use an Android app like Luma to convert HEIC to JPG. 

1. Download Luma App from the Google Play store.
2. Open the Luma app and choose the file you need to convert.
3. Click on the + button, select the HEIC file on your Android, and convert. 

Ho‎w to convert HEIC to JPG on Samsung

If you have a Samsung Galaxy S10 phone, it has an inbuilt app to convert HEIC to JPG. 

1. Open your gallery app.
2. Tap on the three-dot button in the top right corner.
3. Click on setting.
4. Scroll down and click on the “Convert HEIF images when sharing” option to enable it, and you’re done. 

Ho‎w to convert HEIC to JPG online

If you need to convert multiple images in one go, the above processes might seem tedious. Thankfully we have some great tools like FreeConvert that can help you convert multiple images (with some restrictions). 

1. Open the FreeConvert HEIC to JPG converter.
2. Select Files.
3. Select the files you want to convert. ( Note, the free plan lets you convert only 25 files per day)
4. Select the Convert All option and choose JPG.
5. Click on the Convert button.
6. The tool converts in a batch of 5, so you need to click the convert button a few times until all images are converted.
7. Click Download All and download the converted images as a .zip file. 

Ho‎w to convert HEIC to JPG with Google Drive

1. Create an account on Google if you don't have one already.
2. Open Google Drive and upload your HEIC file.
3. Right-click on the file and select “Open With.”
4. Select Google Docs.
5. Google Docs automatically converts HEIC files to JPG format.

Co‎nverting HEIC files: best practices 

1. Make sure to back up your original files before you convert the HEIC files.

2. Only use reputed software or online tools to convert HEIC files to JPG.

3. The image quality may differ when you convert the HEIC file to JPG.

4. Choose the right file format and resolution quality during converting HEIC files.

5. A compression level between 70-90% strikes a good balance between file size and image quality.

• Higher compression levels result in smaller file sizes but may introduce visible artifacts and loss of detail.
• Lower compression levels preserve more image details but result in larger file sizes.

6. Use a color profile that closely matches the original image's color space. The sRGB color profile is widely supported and ensures consistent color reproduction.

7. The resolution of your JPG file should match how you're using it:

• Higher resolutions are suitable for printing or situations where image details are crucial.
• Lower resolutions are ideal for web or mobile usage, prioritizing smaller file sizes and faster loading times.
• Resize the image to the desired resolution when converting to avoid unnecessarily large file sizes.

8. Look for a tool that supports batch conversion to convert multiple HEIC files to JPG file format.

9. HEIC files save metadata like date, location, camera information, etc. If you want to retain this information, choose software for saving metadata information. 

HEIC to JPG FA‎Qs

What to look for in a HEIC to JPG converter?

There are many applications available to convert HEIC to JPG. Look for the one that is easy to use, supports batch conversion, and keeps the resolution quality of the image intact. 

Will I lose metadata during conversion?

When converting HEIC files to JPEG, there is a risk of losing some or all of the metadata associated with the original image.

• HEIC files typically have more extensive metadata than JPEG files.
• Metadata allows users to search, sort and filter photo collections based on various criteria.
• To minimize the potential impact, use conversion tools that prioritize metadata preservation.
• It's also a good idea to create backups of the original HEIC files in case you need to restore or recreate the organization and categorization structure.

Can I view HEIC images on other applications?

Yes, you can view your HEIC images on the following applications: 

• Google Photos.
• Dropbox.
• Microsoft Photos App.
• XnView.
• HEIF Utility.
• Apowersoft Photo Viewer.
• Photos App.
• Preview App.
• Phiewer.
• Pixelmator.

Mo‎re things you can do with JPG files

Converting HEIC to JPG files allows you to share your photos with anyone using a file type that's more widely supported and ensures compatibility when sharing images across different devices and platforms.

Now that you know how to convert HEIC to JPG files, use Scribe to show your team how to do it!

Scribe automatically creates step-by-step guides by capturing your screen as you work so that you don't have to spend 20 minutes explaining how to convert HEIC to JPG files on different devices. Just click on the extension and walk through the process.

Scribe makes your guide instantly, complete with text and screenshots. Scribe does the work—while you work!