Convert HEIC to JPG
Instantly convert Apple HEIC photos to universally compatible JPG format. iPhones and iPads save photos in HEIC format by default, which produces smaller files but isn't supported by Windows, many Android apps, or most websites. Compresso converts HEIC to JPG entirely in your browser — no software to install, no uploads to any server, and no risk to your private photos.
Drop images here or click to upload
HEIC — up to 50MB each
Convert HEIC/HEIF to universally compatible JPG format
Maintains original photo quality during conversion
Batch convert multiple HEIC files simultaneously
Works with iPhone, iPad, and Mac photos natively
Adjustable output quality for size vs. quality control
WebAssembly-based HEIC decoding for fast performance
One of the few online tools that supports HEIC input
No watermarks, no signup, no daily limits — completely free and private
Understanding HEIC: Apple's Photo Format
Since 2017, every iPhone photo you've taken has been saved in HEIC format unless you explicitly changed the setting. HEIC uses HEVC (H.265) video compression applied to still images, achieving roughly 40-50% smaller file sizes than equivalent JPEG photos. For a phone with 128GB of storage, this means fitting nearly twice as many photos.
The Compatibility Problem
Despite being technically superior to JPEG, HEIC has a major limitation: it's essentially an Apple-only format. Here's where HEIC doesn't work:
- Windows — Requires installing HEVC Video Extensions (sometimes paid) from the Microsoft Store
- Android — Some newer Android devices support HEIC, but many apps don't
- Linux — Very limited support in most applications
- Web browsers — Only Safari supports HEIC natively; Chrome, Firefox, and Edge do not
- Email clients — Most email clients can't render HEIC inline
- Social media — Some platforms accept HEIC, but many silently fail or display errors
- Print services — Most online print services require JPG or PNG
- Older software — Photoshop CC 2017 and earlier, older Office versions, etc.
Why Compresso Is Different
Most online image tools (TinyPNG, Squoosh, iLoveIMG) don't support HEIC input at all. Server-side HEIC decoding requires specialized codecs that most web services haven't implemented. Compresso solves this by using WebAssembly-based HEIC decoding that runs directly in your browser, making it one of the few online tools capable of handling HEIC files.
Privacy for Your Phone Photos
Phone photos are among the most personal files you own. They contain your face, your family, your home, your locations, and your daily life. EXIF metadata embedded in these photos reveals:
- Exact GPS coordinates where each photo was taken
- Date and time stamps
- Your phone's model and serial number
- Camera settings and software version
With Compresso, none of this data ever leaves your device. All HEIC decoding and JPG encoding happens locally in your browser. When you close the tab, all data is cleared from memory. No server ever sees your photos.
Related Tools
- Compress HEIC — compress HEIC with format options (JPG, PNG, WebP)
- Compress JPG — further optimize your converted JPGs
- Compress for Email — prepare photos for email attachments
- Bulk Compress — batch process many photos at once
- Compress to 200KB — for form uploads with size limits
- Convert JPG to WebP — further optimize for web use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HEIC format?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format on iPhones and iPads since iOS 11 (2017). It uses HEVC (H.265) compression to produce photos roughly 40-50% smaller than equivalent quality JPEGs. While this saves significant storage space on your Apple device, HEIC files aren't supported by Windows, most Android apps, many websites, email clients, or print services — which is why conversion to JPG is often necessary.
Why can't I open HEIC files on my computer?
HEIC is an Apple-developed format that requires specific codecs to decode. Windows doesn't include these codecs by default (you can install HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store, but it may cost money). Most Android apps, Linux applications, and older software can't open HEIC either. Converting to JPG makes your photos universally accessible on every device and platform.
Will converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
At quality settings of 85-95%, the conversion is virtually lossless — you won't see any difference between the HEIC original and the JPG output at normal viewing sizes. Both HEIC and JPEG are lossy formats, so the conversion is essentially re-encoding from one lossy format to another. For best results, use 85-90% quality which preserves excellent visual fidelity.
How do I stop my iPhone from taking HEIC photos?
Go to Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. This switches your iPhone to save photos as JPG instead of HEIC. However, consider keeping HEIC — it saves 40-50% storage space on your phone. You can always convert to JPG when you need to share or upload, using Compresso.
Can I convert multiple HEIC files at once?
Yes! Upload as many HEIC files as you want and convert them all to JPG simultaneously. This is perfect for processing a batch of iPhone photos for sharing, printing, or uploading to a platform that doesn't accept HEIC. Download individually or as a ZIP archive.
Is it safe to convert HEIC files with Compresso?
Compresso is the safest way to convert HEIC photos online. All decoding and conversion happens entirely in your browser — your photos never leave your device. This is especially important for phone photos, which typically contain EXIF metadata including GPS coordinates, timestamps, device serial numbers, and facial recognition data. No server-based converter can offer this level of privacy.
Why don't most online tools support HEIC?
HEIC decoding is computationally complex and requires specialized codecs that aren't available in standard server-side image processing libraries. Compresso uses WebAssembly modules that decode HEIC directly in your browser, bypassing the need for server-side HEIC support. This is one of the advantages of browser-based processing — we can leverage your device's computing power for formats that servers struggle with.
Should I convert HEIC to JPG or WebP?
For maximum compatibility (sharing via email, messaging, printing, uploading to any platform): choose JPG. For web use where you control the platform: choose WebP for 25-35% smaller files. For preserving transparency: choose PNG. If you're unsure, JPG is the safe default — it works absolutely everywhere.
Does the conversion preserve photo metadata?
The conversion preserves the image content and basic metadata. However, some HEIC-specific metadata (depth maps, Live Photo data, portrait mode effects) is not carried over to JPG since the JPEG format doesn't support these features. Standard EXIF data (camera settings, date taken, GPS coordinates) is typically preserved.
Last updated: March 2026