Since iOS 11 (2017), iPhones shoot photos in HEIC format by default. HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) uses the HEVC codec to produce files roughly half the size of equivalent JPGs. The catch: Windows PCs, most Android devices, and many apps can't open HEIC without extra software or codecs.
Why HEIC exists
HEIC was standardized by MPEG for iPhone storage efficiency. A 12 MP HEIC photo is typically 1.5–3 MB versus 3–6 MB for the same shot in JPG. That adds up fast — 1,000 photos save roughly 3–5 GB. Apple's implementation also supports live photos and image sequences in a single file container.
Compatibility problems
| Platform | HEIC support |
|---|---|
| iPhone / iPad (iOS 11+) | Native |
| macOS High Sierra+ | Native |
| Windows 10 / 11 | Requires paid codec ($0.99) from Microsoft Store |
| Android | Some devices, not universal |
| Adobe Photoshop CC 2018+ | Supported |
| Most web platforms | Not supported for upload |
How to convert HEIC to JPG (browser method)
Use Picovert's format converter. It supports HEIC input via the browser's native codec on macOS/iOS, or via WASM on other platforms.
- Open the converter tool.
- Select JPG as the output format.
- Drop your HEIC files (up to 20 at once).
- Click Convert All and download.
Files are processed in your browser — nothing is uploaded to a server.
Stop shooting HEIC on iPhone
If compatibility issues are frequent, you can switch your iPhone to shoot JPG by default:
- Open Settings → Camera → Formats.
- Select "Most Compatible" (instead of "High Efficiency").
You lose some storage efficiency, but images are universally compatible. A middle-ground option: keep HEIC on the phone and convert to JPG before sharing.
HEIC vs JPG quality comparison
At equivalent file sizes, HEIC is visually superior — it handles gradients and HDR better. But once converted to JPG at quality 85–90, the difference is invisible to most viewers. For sharing and archiving, JPG quality 85 is the standard.