How to Convert HEIC to PDF, JPG, and PNG on Any Device (2026)

If you've ever tried to email a photo from your iPhone to someone on Windows, you've met HEIC — Apple's High Efficiency Image Container format. It cuts file sizes in half compared to JPEG, but most non-Apple software can't open it. Photos arrive as broken thumbnails or won't import at all.

This guide covers every way to convert HEIC: online tools, native Mac, native Windows, batch conversion, and what you lose along the way.

What Is HEIC, Anyway?

HEIC is Apple's wrapper around the HEIF image format, which itself wraps HEVC-encoded image data. Compared to JPEG, HEIC files are typically:

• 40–60% smaller at equivalent visual quality.
• 10-bit color (vs. JPEG's 8-bit) — better for HDR and pro photography.
• Capable of storing depth maps for Portrait Mode and effects.
• Supports image sequences (Live Photos), animations, and alpha channels.

The catch: HEIF/HEIC depends on HEVC, which is patent-encumbered. That's the main reason Windows, Android, Linux, and many web tools have been slow to support it.

Method 1: Convert HEIC Online (Browser)

The fastest, most universal approach. No software install.

HEIC → PDF

1. Open HEIC to PDF.
2. Drag one or many HEIC files into the upload area.
3. Choose page size (Letter or A4) and orientation.
4. Click Convert. You get a single PDF with one HEIC per page.

HEIC → JPG

1. Open HEIC to JPG.
2. Drag your HEIC.
3. Choose JPEG quality (default 85 is fine for most use).
4. Click Convert and download.

HEIC → PNG

1. Open HEIC to PNG.
2. Drag your HEIC.
3. Click Convert.

PNG is lossless but produces files 3–5x larger than JPG. Use PNG if you need transparency or are doing further editing.

Method 2: Mac (Built-In, Free)

macOS handles HEIC natively. To convert:

1. Open the HEIC in Preview.
2. File → Export.
3. Choose JPEG, PNG, or PDF as the format.
4. Click Save.

For batch: select multiple HEICs in Finder → right-click → Quick Actions → Convert Image → choose format. macOS Sonoma (14) and later have this built in.

Method 3: Windows (HEIF Extensions or Online)

Windows 11 supports HEIC if you install the Microsoft "HEIF Image Extensions" from the Store (free, despite the upsell to a $0.99 paid version). After installing:

1. Open the HEIC in the Photos app.
2. Click "..." → Save as → choose JPEG or PNG.

For batch, the easiest path on Windows is still the online tool above.

Method 4: iPhone Settings (Stop Generating HEIC in the First Place)

If you'd rather your iPhone produce JPEG directly:

1. Settings → Camera → Formats.
2. Choose "Most Compatible" (instead of "High Efficiency").

Future photos will be JPEG. Existing HEICs need to be converted.

Method 5: Command Line (Batch + Scripts)

For large batches or automation, command line is fastest:

brew install libheif imagemagick   # macOS, one time
for f in *.heic; do
  heif-convert "$f" "\${f%.heic}.jpg"
done

Or with ImageMagick:

magick mogrify -format jpg *.heic

Privacy Note

HEIC files contain extensive EXIF metadata: GPS location, camera model, capture time, even depth maps. Before sharing converted files publicly, strip the metadata:

• Use Remove EXIF after converting.
• Or view what's in there first with View EXIF Data.

For sensitive photos, the online converters worth using are the ones that auto-delete files after conversion (e.g., PrivaTools) rather than retaining them on their servers.

FAQ

Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?

Slightly, since HEIC supports 10-bit color and JPEG only supports 8-bit. For most viewing and printing the loss is imperceptible. For pro photography work, convert HEIC to PNG or TIFF instead.

What's the difference between HEIC and HEIF?

HEIF is the container format (defined by MPEG); HEIC is Apple's specific implementation/extension. In practice the terms are interchangeable.

Why doesn't my email client show HEIC previews?

Most email clients (Gmail web, Outlook desktop) can't decode HEIC. Recipients see a generic attachment icon. Always convert to JPG before emailing.

Is HEIC the future of digital photography?

Probably not. AVIF (a newer royalty-free format) is gaining traction and is supported in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Expect AVIF to gradually replace HEIC over the next few years.