Why your photos are HEIC
Since iOS 11, iPhones save photos as HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container): about half the size of JPG at the same quality. Windows only opens them with an extra codec, and many websites, government portals and older Android phones don't support them at all.
Method 1: in your browser (fastest, nothing to install)
- Copy the photos to your PC (cable, iCloud, or email them as files).
- Open the HEIC to JPG converter and drop the files — dozens at once is fine.
- Keep quality at 88% (indistinguishable from the original) and download each file or one ZIP.
Conversion happens on your computer; nothing is uploaded. The JPGs also have their GPS location data removed, which is safer for sharing.
Method 2: the Windows Photos app
Install “HEIF Image Extensions” from the Microsoft Store, open the photo in Photos and use “Save as” → JPG. Fine for one or two photos; slow for a whole album.
Method 3: stop it at the source
- New photos as JPG: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible.
- Convert on transfer: Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Automatic.
These don't convert photos you already have — use method 1 for those.
Will I lose quality?
At 85–92% JPG quality there's no visible difference. The JPG is usually a bit larger than the HEIC because JPG compresses less efficiently. If a form needs a size limit, run the result through compress image to KB.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really free?
Yes — no sign-up, no watermark, no file limit.
Does it work on Android and Mac too?
Yes, it runs in any modern browser. Safari on Mac can decode HEIC natively; other browsers use a built-in decoder that loads once.
What about Live Photos?
Only the still image is converted; the motion part is a separate video file.