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How to convert iPhone photos (HEIC) to JPG on Windows

Why iPhone photos arrive as .HEIC files on Windows, three free ways to turn them into JPG, and the iPhone settings that send JPG automatically.

Images2 min readUpdated

Key takeaways

  • iPhones save photos as HEIC by default because it takes about half the space of JPEG at similar quality.
  • Windows can open HEIC after installing Microsoft’s free HEIF Image Extensions; then Paint or Photos can save a JPEG copy.
  • A browser converter turns many HEIC files into JPG at once without installing anything.
  • On the iPhone, “Most Compatible” capture or “Automatic” transfer avoids HEIC entirely.
On this page
  1. Why your photos are HEIC
  2. Method 1: convert in your browser (no install)
  3. Method 2: Windows apps with the HEIF extension
  4. Method 3: stop HEIC at the source
  5. Does converting lose quality?
  6. Check the location data before sharing

Why your photos are HEIC

Since iOS 11, iPhones capture photos in HEIF format (files ending in .HEIC) when the camera is set to High Efficiency. Apple chose it because it stores a photo in roughly half the space of a JPEG with similar quality. Apple devices handle it seamlessly; many Windows apps, websites and printing services still expect JPG.

Method 1: convert in your browser (no install)

  1. Copy the HEIC files from your iPhone to the PC (cable, OneDrive, email or AirDrop to a Mac).
  2. Open HEIC to JPG and drop in one file or a whole batch.
  3. Download the JPGs one at a time or as a ZIP.

Conversion happens on your PC inside the browser, so family photos are not uploaded anywhere. This method works on work computers where you cannot install apps.

Method 2: Windows apps with the HEIF extension

Install HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store (free). Windows can then show HEIC thumbnails and open them in Photos and Paint. To make a JPG, open the photo in Paint and choose File › Save as › JPEG picture. This is fine for a few photos but slow for dozens.

Method 3: stop HEIC at the source

  • Capture JPEG: on the iPhone, go to Settings › Camera › Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos are saved as JPEG (they take more space).
  • Convert on transfer: in the Photos settings, set Transfer to Mac or PC to Automatic. The iPhone then converts photos to JPEG when you copy them over a cable. (On recent iOS versions this is under Settings › Apps › Photos.)

Does converting lose quality?

A little, as with any JPEG save. At a quality setting around 85–92, the difference is not visible in normal viewing or printing. Keep the original HEIC files if you may want to edit them heavily later.

Check the location data before sharing

Photos taken with location services on contain GPS coordinates, and conversion usually keeps them. If you are sending pictures to people you do not know, remove that information with Remove photo metadata. Converted files can also be shrunk for email with Compress images.

Sources

  1. Apple Support: Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devicessupport.apple.com
  2. Microsoft Store: HEIF Image Extensionapps.microsoft.com
Written by the Toolkeel team at Sole Digital Media

Fact-checked against the sources above. We test every tool we mention. Editorial policy.

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