How to open HEIC files on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android
HEIC is the photo format iPhones use by default. It opens without trouble on Apple devices, but other systems may need an extension, an update or a conversion. This guide shows what works on each device and how to avoid the problem in the first place.
What a HEIC file is
HEIC photos use the HEIF container, which stores images compressed with the HEVC video codec. Apple made it the default photo format on iPhones and iPads with iOS 11 in 2017. The attraction is smaller files than JPG for photos that look similar, which saves storage on the phone.
The catch is compatibility. Many older programs, some websites and a number of upload forms only understand JPG and PNG, so a HEIC photo may fail to open or be rejected.
Open HEIC on a Mac, iPhone or iPad
Nothing extra is needed. Photos and Preview open HEIC files directly, and Preview can also export a picture as JPEG or PNG from the File menu.
Open HEIC on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Windows may need the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store before the Photos app, File Explorer thumbnails and Paint can open HEIC. On some systems the HEVC Video Extensions are needed as well. If the extensions are missing, the file shows a blank thumbnail or an error.
Installing the extensions is a one time job per computer. If you only have a few photos, converting them to JPG is faster than changing the system.
Open HEIC on Android
Recent versions of Android can open HEIC pictures in the gallery and in Google Photos. Older phones and some third party apps cannot, and in that case converting the picture to JPG is the simplest fix.
Why a HEIC file will not open or upload
- The program or website was built before HEIC became common and only accepts JPG and PNG.
- The system is missing the codec needed to decode HEVC compressed images.
- The file was renamed or damaged while it was copied or downloaded.
- A form limits file types and rejects the .heic extension even though the picture itself is fine.
Stop your iPhone from saving HEIC
Open Settings, tap Camera, tap Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos are then saved as JPG. Photos you already took stay in HEIC.
If you copy photos to a Windows PC or a Mac with a cable, the Photos settings on the iPhone include a Transfer to Mac or PC option. Choosing Automatic converts photos to a compatible format during the transfer, while Keep Originals leaves them as HEIC.
Convert HEIC when you need to share or upload
For sharing, printing and uploading, JPG is the safest choice, and a converter that runs in your browser keeps the photos on your device. Use HEIC to JPG for everyday sharing, or HEIC to PNG when you want a lossless file for editing. Both let you convert a whole batch and download a ZIP.
Frequently asked questions
Is HEIC better than JPG?
HEIC usually gives smaller files for similar looking photos, which is why phones use it. JPG is better when you need compatibility, because almost every device and website accepts it.
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
A little, because JPG is lossy. At a quality setting of 90 or higher the difference is rarely visible, and you can keep the HEIC originals as the best copy.
Can I rename .heic to .jpg?
No. Renaming only changes the file name, not the data inside, so the file will usually still fail to open. It has to be converted.
Try the converters
- HEIC to JPG ConverterDrop your HEIC photos below to get standard JPG files.
- HEIC to PNG ConverterChoose HEIC files to turn them into PNG images.
- HEIC to PDF ConverterAdd your HEIC photos, put them in order and create a single PDF.
Last reviewed October 2026. Steps on other systems can change between versions, so check the menu names on your own device. Convert In Place is not affiliated with Apple, Google, Microsoft or Adobe.