How to Convert iPhone Photos to JPG: 3 Ways

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To get JPG photos from an iPhone, you have three options: switch the camera to Most Compatible so new photos are saved as JPEG, let the transfer to a computer convert them, or convert the HEIC photos you already have in a browser. The first only changes new photos, the second depends on how you transfer, and the third works on HEIC photos you already have.

Why your iPhone saves HEIC

iPhone 7 and later, with iOS 11 or later, can capture photos in HEIF. On iPhone these files use the .heic extension. Apple calls HEIC “the default image format for Apple devices” and says the format offers “better compression than JPEG”, so the same photo takes less storage.

The catch is compatibility: some websites, upload forms, Windows PCs and older apps cannot open HEIC. Our HEIC vs JPG comparison shows the size difference on real phone photos.

The 3 ways at a glance

1. Most Compatible 2. Convert on transfer 3. Convert in the browser
Photos it affects New photos only Photos you import or share HEIC files you select
Where iPhone Settings When importing or sharing iPhone, iPad or computer
Do you always get JPG? Yes, for new photos No, Apple says “might” Yes, for each file that converts; an unusual file can fail
Downside Larger files from now on Depends on the receiving device and settings You convert files yourself

Way 1: Set the camera to Most Compatible

  1. Open Settings and tap Camera.
  2. Tap Formats, then tap Most Compatible.

Apple says that after this change, “all new photos and videos will now use JPEG or H.264 format”. Photos you took before stay HEIC. New photos also take more space than they would in HEIC. To switch back, choose High Efficiency in the same menu.

Way 2: Let the transfer convert them

When you move photos off your iPhone, iOS may convert them for you:

  • Importing to a computer: according to Apple, photos imported to Photos or Image Capture on a Mac, or to a PC, “might be converted to JPEG”. If you want the HEIC originals instead, open Settings > Apps > Photos and choose Keep Originals.
  • Sharing with AirDrop, Messages or email: if the receiving device does not support HEIF, Apple says the photo “might automatically be shared in a more compatible format, such as JPEG”.

Both depend on the receiving device and your settings, so check the file extension after the transfer. If the photos arrive as .heic, use way 3. On a Mac, you can also export JPGs from Photos or Preview; see HEIC to JPG on Mac.

Way 3: Convert existing HEIC photos in your browser

For photos you already took, convert them with the converter below. It runs on this page, and your photos are not uploaded. It works in Safari on iPhone and in desktop browsers.

Drop your HEIC or HEIF photos here

or

Your files never leave your device — everything happens right here in your browser. After one conversion, the converter also works offline.

Select several HEIC or HEIF photos at once. Very large photos may be scaled down to fit your browser's limits; on a phone, convert big batches in smaller groups.

    Note: refreshing or closing this page clears the current tasks and results.

    1. Click or tap “Choose Files” and select one or more HEIC photos. On a computer, you can also drag them into the box.
    2. For a single photo, adjust the quality slider if you want a smaller file. It starts at 90 out of 100.
    3. Download each JPG, or download several as one ZIP.

    On iPhone, Apple says downloaded files are in the Downloads folder of the Files app (Files > Browse > iCloud Drive > Downloads), and Safari’s Downloads button next to the search field lists them too. To open a ZIP there, tap it: Files creates a folder with the JPGs inside.

    Phones have less memory than computers, so convert large numbers of photos in smaller groups. For more on large batches, see batch convert HEIC to JPG.

    Questions

    Does converting to JPG lower the quality? JPG is lossy, so converting adds one round of compression. A higher quality setting keeps more detail and makes a larger file; the default is 90. Convert from the HEIC original rather than re-saving a JPG, and keep the original if you need an archive copy.

    Does the JPG keep the photo’s date and camera details? Yes. heicly keeps the date taken (with time zone) and camera details such as make, model, lens and exposure. Location (GPS) is removed by default; turn on “Also keep location (GPS)” to keep it.

    Are 48-megapixel photos converted at full size? No. Images larger than 16,777,216 pixels are resized proportionally to fit what the browser can safely process, so a 48 MP photo comes out smaller. The page tells you when that happens. Keep the original if you need full resolution.

    Do I need to change my iPhone settings to use way 3? No. Way 3 works on the HEIC files as they are.

    Apple steps and quotes checked on 17 October 2026 in Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices, Where to find downloads on your iPhone or iPad, Create or open ZIP files on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro and the Photos User Guide for Mac.

    Summary

    • New photos: set Settings > Camera > Formats to Most Compatible.
    • Transfers may convert to JPEG, but Apple does not guarantee it.
    • Photos you already have: convert them in your browser, on iPhone or on a computer, without uploading them.

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