Whenever you have tried to open a photograph on your iPhone in a Windows computer or other people who use an Android device, you would most likely have seen the frightening text in an unsupported format. The culprit? HEIC files. Applications Apple has also introduced the High Efficiency Image Container (HEIC), beginning with iOS 11, which is better in compression and quality than the old JPG files, although not all devices and platforms support it.
The positive thing is that you can easily turn HEIC to JPG regardless of the device that you are using. This step guide will take you through various methods of converting HEIC to JPG Converter to the generic JPG format on Windows, MacOS, iPhone, iPad and Android websites and applications.
Understanding HEIC vs JPG
It is not a bad idea to understand what you are getting to before entering into the conversion methods. The HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) standard is a substandard of the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) standard. It uses advanced compression algorithms to achieve 50 per cent of the file size in JPG and still get close to the same image quality or even better.
A trade-off of compatibility however does exist. Many of the old hardware, non-Apple platforms, and some software applications do not support HEIC files by default. JPEG (or JPG) is however the standard image format as of the early 1990s and is used everywhere, nearly on every device, operating system and application.
Windows HEIC to JPG conversion
Windows 10 and 11 have made progress in the capabilities of supporting HEIC, although the format seems not as well supported as JPG does. Some methods of converting your HEIC files in windows include the following.
Method 1: HEIF Extension in Windows Photos App
Windows 10 (since 1803) and Windows 11 are able to display HEIC files by default although the HEIF Image Extensions feature needs to be enabled in the Microsoft Store.
Once installed, it is possible to convert HEIC to JPG by opening a HEIC file in the Photos app, clicking on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner, clicking on the Save button, and selecting JPG in the format list. This is a good technique but it requires conversion of files one at a time hence could be very cumbersome when converting large volumes.
Technique 2: On-line Conversion tools
Several online converters also have a feature to convert HEIC to JPG in your web browser. The most frequented ones are CloudConvert, HEICtoJPG.com, and FreeConvert. They typically allow you to upload several HEIC files simultaneously, edit them in several seconds and retrieve the JPG ones.
It is not a complex procedure and everything one requires is visiting the converter site, dragging his HEIC files or simply clicking to take them, wait until they are converted and then have his JPG files. It is important to remember that the online converters will post your photos on a third party server which might result in a threat to privacy on sensitive photos.
Strategy 3: Customized Desktop Software
Special conversion software, i.e. iMazing HEIC Converter, is a free and easy-to-use Windows application to convert a lot of files or people who may seek offline conversion solutions. It can batch convert, store image quality and can store or remove EXIF data. You only have to install the software then drag your HEIC files into the window, then choose the JPG as output format, then choose quality preferences then click convert.
Converting HEIC to JPG on Mac
Mac users find it the least difficult to handle due to the fact that the format has been natively supported in High Sierra. However, you may still need to convert to JPG so as to fit in other platforms.
Method 1: Using Preview
Mac has a simple conversion option in the default image viewer (Preview). To change your HEIC file to convert heic to jpg, launch the file in Preview and in the menu bar, click the File button, then Export, and in the export dialog, you can see the dropdown menu beside the Format dropdown menu which has JPEG. The quality of the image and file size can be optimized using the quality slider and can be saved. In bulk, to convert using the assistance of Finder, choose a set of HEIC files, right-click and choose Open With – Preview, after which all open pictures will appear, press the export button.
Method 2: Automator batch conversion
In-built in MacOS is the Automator application, which can be employed to create a custom workflow by power users, who need to convert large volumes of HEIC files regularly. In open automator and add a new Quick Action, workflow receives image files in Finder add the Change Type of Images action, format should be JPEG and save your workflow. Any HEIC file in Finder can now be right-clicked, Quick Actions selected, and the workflow of your choice chosen.
Method 3: Third-Party-Apps
On mac conversion programs like iMazing HEIC Converter (also available) or HEIC Converter can provide a batch conversion that has additional options on output configuration. The apps would also come in handy most of the time when you are regularly required to convert HEIC files.
iPhone and iPad conversion of HEIC to JPG
Paradoxically, it needs a minor modification to transform the HEIC files of the same device, which produces them.
Method 1: Change of Camera Preferences to capture JPG
The most convenient solution to this conundrum is to simply not create HEIC files. Open the settings app, swipe down and go into the camera then formats and then turn the Most Compatible instead of High Efficiency. Here is where iPhone or iPad is taking pictures in JPG. This must be mentioned as this will expand file sizes and consume more storage space.
Shortcuts App Method: This can be done by using Shortcuts App
The conversion to JPG can be automated using the Shortcuts app which is provided with iOS 13 and other later versions. Tap the Shortcuts application, tap the + to add a new shortcut, tap on the action Select Photos, tap on the action Convert Image, and select the format to JPEG then tap to add the action Save to Photo Album, and name your shortcut. Now you can apply this shortcut whenever you choose to make the HEIC files into JPG and get them saved directly to go back to your Photos application.
Trick 3: Email or Airdrop Trick
This is another trick that is less known, and it is related to sending HEIC files by email or some other sharing methods: iOs automatically converts them into HEIC to PDF Converter in order to make them better compatible. The only thing that you need to do is to choose your HEIC photos, then go to the share button and choose Mail and your attachments are already in JPG format. You can then save such converted files or email them to yourself. However, it is tiresome when working with big numbers of photographs.
How to convert heic to jpg on android
Android phones do not usually produce HEIC files, though you might be receiving them via iPhone users or otherwise.
Method 1: Using Google Photos
Also, the application is able to accept HEIC files and convert them during sharing or downloading, in case you happen to use Google Photos (as most Android users do). It only requires one to open the HEIC file in Google Photos, select the share button and then choose the Save to device option and Google Photos will automatically transform it to a JPG file.
Method 2: Online Converters
Android users are able to access online conversion software via the mobile browser, like in windows. Android-friendly mobile-friendly interfaces can be found in such websites as HEICtoJPG.com. upload your HEIC file, edit it and save the JPG version directly into your phone.
Method 3: Android Specialized Applications
Android applications to convert HEIC to other formats, such as JPG Converter or Image Converter are available in number. They are located in the Google Play Store and are typically free, and they have the ability to convert batches. Select your preferred application, select the files you need to be converted to JPG, and convert them to the HEIC format and store the converted files in your device.
Choosing the best Model to Your Needs
Depending on the situation, the most suitable conversion strategy is selected. The online converters or operating system applications are simple and require no installation in the case of a few times and need to convert some HEIC files. The regular conversions, especially those in large volumes, are more efficiently accomplished by a particular desktop program or an automated workflow. Online converters should be avoided, and you should simply convert the original to JPG format and post those on people who are not using the Apple products when there is any privacy issue and in the most basic answer it may be proposed to just switch your camera to just record the files in the original JPG format and post them online on people who are not using Apple products.
Conclusion
No matter what platform or device you are on, you do not have to do a complex conversion of HEIC to JPG. It can be an inbuilt OS application, dedicated software, web-based converters, automated operations but now you are familiar with how to process HEIC files with ease. Technology evolves fast and it so happens that one day, most of the devices will be capable of supporting the current format, say HEIC, and no such conversions would be necessary, however, until that time such practices will offer you a method of having your photos available and shareable across all devices and platforms.