How to Save HEIC as JPG: The Complete Conversion Guide

"Step-by-step guide on converting HEIC images to JPG format with detailed instructions and visual aids - How to Save HEIC as JPG: The Complete Conversion Guide."

How to Save HEIC as JPG: Converting Apple’s Format to Universal JPG

The digital world is constantly evolving, and with it comes new file formats that can sometimes cause compatibility issues. One such format that has gained prominence in recent years is HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container), Apple’s preferred image format since iOS 11. While HEIC offers superior compression and quality compared to traditional formats, many users find themselves needing to convert HEIC to JPG for broader compatibility. This comprehensive guide will walk you through numerous methods to save HEIC files as JPG across different devices and platforms.

Whether you’re trying to share photos with friends who don’t use Apple devices, upload images to websites that don’t support HEIC, or simply prefer the universal compatibility of JPG files, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s explore the world of image format conversion and discover the most efficient ways to transform your HEIC files into JPG format.

Understanding HEIC and JPG Formats

Before diving into conversion methods, it’s helpful to understand what these formats are and why you might need to convert between them.

What is HEIC Format?

HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container) is based on the HEIF (High-Efficiency Image Format) standard. Apple adopted this format with iOS 11 in 2017 as the default capture format for photos on iPhones and iPads. The primary advantages of HEIC include:

  • Approximately 50% smaller file sizes compared to JPG while maintaining similar image quality
  • Support for 16-bit color depth (compared to JPG’s 8-bit)
  • Better transparency support
  • Ability to store multiple images in one file (like burst photos or live photos)
  • Support for image sequences and animations

Despite these advantages, HEIC isn’t universally supported outside the Apple ecosystem, which creates compatibility challenges.

What is JPG Format?

JPG (or JPEG – Joint Photographic Experts Group) is one of the most widely used image formats in the world. Its key characteristics include:

  • Universal compatibility across virtually all devices, platforms, and applications
  • Lossy compression that reduces file size while maintaining reasonable image quality
  • Ideal for photographs and complex images with many colors
  • No support for transparency or animations

Due to its universal support and decades of established use, JPG remains the go-to format for sharing images online.

Why Convert HEIC to JPG?

There are several compelling reasons why you might need to convert your HEIC images to JPG:

  • Compatibility: Many websites, applications, and non-Apple devices don’t support HEIC files
  • Sharing: When sharing photos with people who don’t use Apple devices
  • Editing: Some image editing software doesn’t support HEIC
  • Printing: Many printing services only accept traditional formats like JPG
  • Archiving: For long-term storage, widely-supported formats like JPG may be preferable

Now that we understand why conversion might be necessary, let’s explore the various methods to save HEIC as JPG.

Converting HEIC to JPG on iPhone and iPad

Since HEIC is the default format on iOS devices, it makes sense to start with native solutions for these platforms.

Change Camera Settings to Capture in JPG Format

The most straightforward approach is to set your iPhone or iPad to capture photos in JPG format instead of HEIC:

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

This setting will make your device capture all new photos in JPG format. However, it won’t convert existing HEIC images.

Use the Photos App to Convert Existing HEIC Images

To convert existing HEIC photos to JPG using the native Photos app:

  1. Open the Photos app and select the HEIC image(s) you want to convert
  2. Tap the Share button (square with an upward arrow)
  3. Scroll down and select Copy Photo or Copy Photos
  4. Open an app that doesn’t support HEIC (like Notes or Mail)
  5. Paste the image (tap and hold, then select Paste)
  6. The image will automatically be converted to JPG format
  7. Save the converted image back to your Photos library

Alternatively, you can email the photos to yourself, which will often convert them to JPG during the process.

Use Third-Party iOS Apps for Batch Conversion

For more efficient batch conversion, consider using specialized apps from the App Store:

  • Image Converter: A simple app that converts HEIC to JPG, PNG, and other formats
  • HEIC Converter: Specifically designed for converting HEIC files to JPG or PNG
  • Convertio: A versatile conversion tool that handles multiple file types Convertio iOS App

These apps typically provide more features and batch processing capabilities than the built-in methods.

Converting HEIC to JPG on macOS

Mac users have several options for converting HEIC files to JPG format.

Using Preview App (Built-in Method)

The Preview app on macOS offers a simple way to convert HEIC to JPG:

  1. Open the HEIC file with Preview (usually the default app for image files)
  2. Click on File in the menu bar
  3. Select Export
  4. From the format dropdown menu, choose JPEG
  5. Adjust the quality slider if desired
  6. Choose a save location and click Save

This method works well for converting individual files but can be time-consuming for multiple images.

Using Photos App on Mac

The Photos app provides another native option:

  1. Import your HEIC images into the Photos app
  2. Select the images you want to convert
  3. Click File > Export > Export Photos
  4. Choose JPEG as the format
  5. Select your desired quality and other export settings
  6. Click Export

This approach works well for batch conversions and preserves metadata.

Using Automator for Batch Conversion

For power users, Automator provides a powerful way to create a custom workflow:

  1. Open Automator from your Applications folder
  2. Select Quick Action or Application as the document type
  3. Search for Copy Finder Items and drag it to the workflow
  4. Choose a destination folder for your converted images
  5. Search for Change Type of Images and drag it to the workflow
  6. Set the output format to JPEG
  7. Save the workflow

Once created, you can run this Automator workflow on any number of HEIC files to convert them to JPG format quickly.

Converting HEIC to JPG on Windows

Windows doesn’t natively support HEIC files, making conversion even more necessary on this platform.

Install HEIF Image Extensions

Microsoft offers HEIF Image Extensions that add support for HEIC files:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store
  2. Search for “HEIF Image Extensions“
  3. Download and install the extension
  4. You may also need to install the “HEVC Video Extensions” (there may be a fee)

With these extensions installed, Windows can open HEIC files, allowing you to save them in different formats.

Using Paint or Photos App After Installing Extensions

Once you’ve installed the extensions:

  1. Open the HEIC file with Paint or Photos app
  2. In Paint, click File > Save as > JPEG picture
  3. In Photos, click … > Save as > choose JPEG
  4. Select a save location and click Save

This method works for individual files but may not be efficient for large batches.

Using Third-Party Software on Windows

Several third-party applications make HEIC to JPG conversion easy on Windows:

  • CopyTrans HEIC for Windows: A free utility that adds HEIC support to Windows and allows right-click conversion to JPG
  • iMazing HEIC Converter: A free tool specifically designed for converting HEIC to JPG or PNG
  • Adobe Photoshop: Recent versions support opening HEIC files and saving them as JPG
  • XnConvert: A powerful, free batch image converter that supports numerous formats including HEIC XnConvert Official Website

These applications offer more features and batch processing capabilities compared to the basic Windows tools.

Online HEIC to JPG Conversion Tools

For quick conversions without installing software, online tools provide convenient solutions.

Popular Online Converters

Several reliable online services can convert HEIC to JPG:

  • Convertio: A versatile online conversion platform that handles HEIC files efficiently
  • HEICtoJPG: A specialized tool focused specifically on converting HEIC to JPG
  • CloudConvert: A powerful cloud-based converter supporting over 200 formats
  • HEIC.online: A simple, ad-supported online converter with no registration required

These services typically follow a similar process: upload your HEIC files, select JPG as the output format, and download the converted images.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Conversion

Advantages:

  • No software installation required
  • Works on any device with a web browser
  • Often supports batch conversion
  • Platform-independent (works on Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.)

Disadvantages:

  • Requires internet connection
  • May have file size or number limitations on free tiers
  • Privacy concerns when uploading personal photos to third-party servers
  • Potentially slower than local conversion for large batches

For occasional conversions of non-sensitive images, online tools offer a convenient solution without requiring software installation.

Using Cloud Services for HEIC to JPG Conversion

Major cloud storage providers can sometimes help with format conversion.

Google Drive Method

Google Drive can indirectly help convert HEIC files:

  1. Upload your HEIC files to Google Drive
  2. Open the HEIC file with Google’s built-in image viewer
  3. Click the More options menu (three dots)
  4. Select Download
  5. The image will download as a JPG file

This method works because Google converts the HEIC file to a compatible format for viewing, and that converted version is what gets downloaded.

Dropbox Automatic Conversion

Dropbox has features that can help with HEIC files:

  1. Upload HEIC files to your Dropbox account
  2. When shared or viewed on platforms without HEIC support, Dropbox automatically converts them to JPG
  3. You can download these converted versions

Note that this conversion happens primarily for compatibility when sharing, not as a dedicated conversion feature.

Command-Line Tools for Advanced Users

For technically inclined users, command-line tools offer powerful batch conversion capabilities.

ImageMagick (Cross-Platform)

ImageMagick is a powerful, open-source image manipulation tool available for Windows, macOS, and Linux:

  1. Install ImageMagick from the official website
  2. Open Terminal (macOS/Linux) or Command Prompt (Windows)
  3. Navigate to the folder containing your HEIC files
  4. Run the command: magick mogrify -format jpg *.HEIC

This command converts all HEIC files in the current directory to JPG format while preserving the originals.

libheif and libde265 (Linux/macOS)

For Unix-based systems, these libraries provide dedicated HEIC support:

  1. Install the required packages:
    • On Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt-get install libheif-examples
    • On macOS with Homebrew: brew install libheif
  2. Use the heif-convert tool: heif-convert input.HEIC output.jpg

For batch conversion, you can create a simple shell script that processes multiple files.

Preserving Image Quality During Conversion

When converting from HEIC to JPG, maintaining image quality is often a primary concern.

Understanding Quality Loss in Conversion

It’s important to understand that some quality loss is inevitable when converting from HEIC to JPG because:

  • HEIC uses more advanced compression algorithms than JPG
  • JPG is a lossy format that discards some image data during compression
  • Converting between two lossy formats (HEIC to JPG) compounds quality loss

However, with the right settings, this quality loss can be minimized to the point where it’s barely noticeable to the human eye.

Best Practices for High-Quality Conversion

To maintain the highest possible quality when converting:

  • Use the maximum quality setting: Most converters allow you to set the JPG quality (usually on a scale of 1-100). Choose 90-100 for minimal quality loss
  • Convert directly from the original: Avoid converting already-converted files to prevent compounding quality loss
  • Consider file size requirements: Higher quality settings result in larger files, so balance quality with your storage or sharing needs
  • Preserve metadata: Ensure your conversion tool maintains important metadata like EXIF data (date taken, camera information, etc.)
  • Test before batch converting: Convert a single image first and check the results before processing your entire library

With these practices, you can achieve JPG files that are virtually indistinguishable from the original HEIC files in terms of visual quality.

Automating HEIC to JPG Conversion

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

Folder Actions on macOS

On macOS, you can set up Folder Actions to automatically convert HEIC files when they’re added to a specific folder:

  1. Create an Automator workflow as described in the macOS section above
  2. Instead of “Quick Action” or “Application,” choose “Folder Action”
  3. Specify which folder to monitor for new HEIC files
  4. Save the workflow

Now whenever HEIC files are added to the monitored folder, they’ll automatically be converted to JPG.

Batch Scripts on Windows

On Windows, you can create batch scripts or use Task Scheduler with third-party conversion tools:

  1. Install a command-line compatible converter (like ImageMagick)
  2. Create a .bat file with the appropriate conversion commands
  3. Schedule this script to run periodically using Task Scheduler
  4. Alternatively, create a right-click context menu action for HEIC files

These automated solutions are especially useful for photographers or professionals who regularly work with HEIC files from iOS devices.

Troubleshooting Common HEIC to JPG Conversion Issues

Even with the right tools, you might encounter some challenges when converting HEIC files.

Handling Error Messages

Common errors and their solutions include:

  • “File format not recognized”: Ensure you have the necessary HEIC codecs installed or use a dedicated HEIC converter
  • “Cannot open file”: Check if the file is corrupted or if you have permission to access it
  • “Not enough memory”: Close other applications or use a more efficient converter for large batches
  • “Conversion failed”: Try a different conversion tool or check if the file is password-protected or DRM-restricted

Most conversion issues can be resolved by trying alternative tools or ensuring your system has the necessary components to handle HEIC files.

Recovering Lost Metadata

Sometimes metadata (like location, date, or camera information) can be lost during conversion. To prevent or address this:

  • Use conversion tools that specifically mention metadata preservation
  • For already-converted files missing metadata, use EXIF editor tools to manually restore important information
  • Consider extracting metadata from original files before conversion using specialized tools

Preserving metadata is especially important for photographers and those who organize their photo libraries by date, location, or other embedded information.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right HEIC to JPG Conversion Method

Converting HEIC files to JPG doesn’t have to be complicated. With the variety of methods available across different platforms, you can choose the approach that best suits your specific needs.

Summary of Conversion Options

  • For casual users: Online converters or built-in tools like Photos app offer the simplest solutions
  • For photographers: Desktop applications with batch processing and quality control provide more professional results
  • For technical users: Command-line tools offer the most flexibility and automation potential
  • For regular converters: Setting up automated workflows can save significant time

The best method depends on your technical comfort level, the volume of images you need to convert, and your specific requirements for quality and metadata preservation.

Final Recommendations

As HEIC continues to become more widespread, compatibility issues will likely decrease over time. However, for the foreseeable future, knowing how to convert HEIC to JPG remains an essential skill for anyone working with images across different platforms.

Whether you’re sharing vacation photos with friends, preparing images for a website, or managing a professional photo library, the methods outlined in this guide provide comprehensive solutions for all your HEIC to JPG conversion needs.

Remember that while JPG offers better compatibility, HEIC provides better quality-to-size ratio. Consider keeping your original HEIC files as archives while using converted JPG files for sharing and compatibility purposes, giving you the best of both worlds.