The HEIC Problem in 2026
Apple introduced HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) in 2017. By 2026, every iPhone defaults to it. The format is great: 50% smaller files than JPG at the same quality.
The problem: HEIC isn't universally supported. Windows treats it as foreign. Many older Android devices can't open it. Photo printing kiosks reject it. WordPress doesn't accept it. Most email clients display it as an attachment, not inline.
The solution is batch conversion. Convert your entire camera roll export once and use JPG everywhere it matters. Our HEIC to JPG converter handles up to 20 files per upload on free accounts and unlimited on Pro.
Three Methods, Ranked by Practicality
Method 1: Browser-based batch (best for occasional)
- Export from Photos app (Mac) or Photos to Files (iPhone)
- Drag the folder of HEIC files into our HEIC to JPG batch tool
- Free: 20 files per batch. Pro: unlimited.
- Click Convert all
- Download as ZIP
For 100 vacation photos this takes 3 minutes total.
Method 2: iPhone Photos export setting (best for permanent fix)
Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Automatic.
When you AirDrop or sync photos to a non-Apple device, iOS auto-converts to JPG. You never see HEIC outside the iPhone. The cost: AirDrop is slower because of the conversion step.
This is the right setting if you regularly share with non-Apple devices.
Method 3: Mac Preview app (Mac users only)
- Select all HEIC files in Finder
- Open with Preview
- File → Export Selected Images
- Format: JPEG, Quality: maximum
- Choose destination
Free, no upload needed, preserves EXIF. Limited to Mac users.
What Gets Lost in HEIC → JPG Conversion
| Property | HEIC | JPG | Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| File size | 1x | 2-3x | Larger files |
| Visual quality at default settings | Excellent | Excellent | Imperceptible |
| Burst mode metadata | Preserved | Lost | Multi-frame structure |
| Live Photo motion data | Preserved | Lost | Becomes still |
| Depth map (Portrait mode) | Preserved | Lost | Loses bokeh edit ability |
| 10-bit color | Preserved | 8-bit only | Slight banding in gradients |
| HDR metadata | Preserved | Stripped | SDR fallback only |
| EXIF (camera, location, date) | Preserved | Preserved | None |
For most use cases (sharing, printing, web), the lost properties don't matter. For anyone who edits Portrait mode bokeh later, keep the HEIC original.
Preserving EXIF During Batch Conversion
Most cheap batch converters strip EXIF metadata. This includes camera model, GPS coordinates, and date taken. Once stripped, you can't put it back.
Our converter preserves EXIF by default. To verify:
- Convert one HEIC file
- Right-click the resulting JPG → Get Info (Mac) or Properties → Details (Windows)
- Camera, lens, date, location should all be there
If you need to STRIP EXIF for privacy (sharing photos publicly with location data removed), enable the "Strip metadata" option in Advanced Options before converting.
When NOT to Convert
Keep HEIC originals when:
- You actively edit photos in Apple Photos (HEIC supports non-destructive edits with adjustment metadata)
- You need to keep Portrait mode depth data for re-editing bokeh
- Storage on your iPhone is tight (HEIC is half the size)
- You only share with other Apple users via Messages or AirDrop (HEIC works fine in the Apple ecosystem)
Convert to JPG when:
- Sharing with Windows or Android users
- Uploading to platforms that don't accept HEIC (LinkedIn, Etsy, Shopify)
- Printing at kiosks or print services
- Embedding in WordPress, blog posts, emails
- Sending to clients, employers, family with mixed devices
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I notice quality loss after converting?
Visually no. JPG at 90-95% quality is indistinguishable from the HEIC source at typical viewing distances. Pixel-peeping side by side might reveal minor differences in fine detail.
Why does my converted JPG look slightly different?
HEIC supports 10-bit color and HDR; JPG is 8-bit SDR. On HDR-capable displays, the original HEIC will look more vivid. On standard displays, identical.
Can I batch convert 1000+ photos?
Yes. Our tool handles up to 20 per upload on free, unlimited on Pro. For 1000+ photos, use Method 2 (iPhone export setting) for the cleanest workflow.
Does converting HEIC to JPG damage the original?
No. Conversion creates a new JPG file; the HEIC original is untouched. Always keep the originals until you're sure you don't need them.
Why is the JPG bigger than the HEIC?
JPG is less efficient at compression. A typical 2MB HEIC photo becomes a 4-6MB JPG at the same quality.
Related Reading
- Convert iPhone Video to Android Format
- Best Image Format for Photo Preservation
- WebP vs JPG: When to Pick Each
Bottom Line
For one-off conversions, drop your HEIC files into our HEIC to JPG tool. For permanent cross-platform compatibility, change the iPhone Photos export setting to Automatic. EXIF metadata stays intact in both methods.
