Why iPhone Photos Won't Open on Your Computer (And How to Fix It)
Here's what probably happened: You took some photos on your iPhone, transferred them to your computer, and... they won't open. Windows says it doesn't recognize the file format. Your colleague with an Android phone can't see the pictures you texted them. Sound familiar?
Welcome to the wonderful world of HEIC format. Don't worry – it's not you, it's Apple. And the fix is actually pretty simple.
What's HEIC and Why Should You Care?
Back in 2017, Apple decided to switch from JPG to a new format called HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container). Their reasoning was solid: HEIC files are about half the size of JPGs while looking just as good. Great for your phone's storage, right?
The problem? Almost nothing outside the Apple ecosystem supports HEIC. Windows PCs (at least the older ones), Android phones, most websites, email clients, social media platforms – they all expect JPG. So those smaller files become a real headache when you try to actually use them anywhere.
I've lost count of how many times I've heard: "Why won't my photos just work?" Usually from someone who just bought a new laptop or is trying to upload photos to Facebook.
When You Actually Need to Convert These Things
Sending photos to non-iPhone users: Your mom with her Samsung phone, your colleague with a Windows laptop, basically anyone not in the Apple universe. They'll get your photos but won't be able to open them without converting to JPG first.
Uploading to websites: Job application portals, real estate listings, Craigslist, forum posts – most of these choke on HEIC files. They're built for JPG and haven't updated yet (and honestly, many never will).
Old software that refuses to update: Got Photoshop CS6? Older versions of Windows? Many photo editing tools from before 2018? Yeah, they don't know what HEIC is and probably never will.
Social media platforms: While Instagram and Facebook auto-convert HEIC now, smaller platforms or older apps might not. Twitter sometimes has issues. LinkedIn can be finicky. Converting to JPG first saves you from "upload failed" errors.
The Step-by-Step That Actually Works
Get Your Photos Ready
AirDrop them from your iPhone, plug in a USB cable, use iCloud – however you usually move photos to your computer. Or if they're already on your computer and just won't open, even better.
Drop Them in the Converter
Click "Choose HEIC Files" above or just drag-and-drop them into that box. You can do multiple files at once – I regularly convert entire photo albums this way.
Wait a Few Seconds
Your browser does all the work. Usually takes 2-3 seconds per photo. A dozen photos? Maybe 30 seconds total. And yes, this happens on your computer – nothing gets uploaded.
Download Your JPGs
Click download on each photo or hit "Download All" if you converted multiple files. They'll save to your Downloads folder as regular JPG files that open anywhere.
HEIC vs JPG: The Reality Check
| Feature | HEIC | JPG/JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| File Size | Smaller (genuinely half the size) | Larger, but who cares with cheap storage? |
| Compatibility | Apple only (and newer Windows) | Opens absolutely everywhere |
| Image Quality | Excellent | Excellent (you won't see a difference) |
| Editing Support | Limited to new software | Every photo editor ever made |
| Frustration Level | High when sharing with others | Zero – it just works |
Why This Converter Exists (A Short Rant)
Look, I get what Apple was trying to do. Smaller files mean you can fit more photos on your phone. Makes sense. But here's the thing: most people don't want to think about image formats. They just want their photos to work.
Other converters make you upload your photos to their servers. Which means waiting for uploads (slow with big photo albums), trusting them with your private photos, and hoping they actually delete them afterward. Not great.
This tool does everything right in your browser using JavaScript. Nothing uploads. Your photos never leave your computer. It's like using any program you'd install, except you don't have to install anything. The first time I built this for myself, I was just tired of the upload-wait-download dance on other sites.
Real Talk About Quality
People always ask: "Will my photos look worse after converting?" Short answer: No, not really.
Technical answer: JPG uses lossy compression, so technically yes, you're losing some data. But we use quality level 92 out of 100, which is the sweet spot where you get good file sizes without visible quality loss. Unless you're a professional photographer who crops heavily and prints giant posters, you won't notice any difference.
I've converted thousands of photos this way for my own use. Family vacation pics, product photos for my old eBay listings, even some serious landscape photos I took. They all look fine. If anything, the JPG files are easier to work with because every single photo editor supports them.
Tips From Actually Using This Thing
- Convert entire albums at once. Don't do them one by one – that's painful. Select all, drop them in, let it do its thing. Much faster.
- Keep your originals (at least at first). Once you verify the converted JPGs look right, then you can delete the HEIC files. Just don't delete your only copies before checking.
- The metadata comes along. Date taken, GPS location, camera settings – it all copies over to the JPG. So your photos stay organized by date in your photo library.
- Bigger files aren't always better. Some people think bigger file size means better quality. Not true. A well-compressed JPG can look identical to a larger one.
- Your phone will keep making HEICs. This isn't a one-time fix. As long as you have an iPhone, you'll keep getting HEIC files. Bookmark this page or just Google "HEIC to JPG" next time you need it.
Can't You Just Change iPhone Settings?
Yes! Go to Settings → Camera → Formats → Choose "Most Compatible" instead of "High Efficiency." Your iPhone will now take JPG photos again.
But this only affects new photos. Everything you've already taken stays as HEIC. Plus, your phone will use more storage with JPGs. So converting existing HEICs is still useful even after changing the setting.
Common Questions People Actually Ask
Will this work on my old computer?
If your browser is from the last 5 years, yes. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge – they all work. The limiting factor is usually RAM. Converting 50+ photos at once on a computer with 4GB RAM might be slow. But regular use? Should be fine.
How long does it take?
About 2-3 seconds per photo on a decent computer. So a dozen photos: maybe 30-40 seconds total. A hundred photos: few minutes. Much faster than other converters where you're waiting on upload speeds.
What if I need to convert PDFs or other files?
Check the "Related Tools" section below. We've got converters for pretty much everything – PDF to JPG, Word to PDF, Image to PDF, the whole nine yards.
One More Thing About Privacy
Since everything happens in your browser, you could disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it'll still work. Try it if you don't believe me. That's how you know your photos aren't going anywhere. No server receives them, no cloud storage saves them, nothing. They stay on your device the entire time.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Benefits of Our HEIC to JPG Converter
- No Upload Required: All conversions happen in your browser - your photos never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy and security
- Batch Processing: Convert multiple HEIC files to JPG simultaneously, saving you time and effort
- Unlimited Conversions: No restrictions on file size or number of conversions - convert as many photos as you need
- Free Forever: Free tool with no hidden costs, subscriptions, or watermarks on your photos
- High Quality Output: Maintains original image quality with optimized compression settings
- Works Offline: Once loaded, the converter works without internet connection
- Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS browsers
- No Registration: Start converting immediately without creating an account
Common HEIC Conversion Scenarios
iPhone to Windows PC: Transfer and view iPhone photos on Windows computers by converting HEIC to JPG format.
Social Media Sharing: Many social media platforms prefer or require JPG format. Convert your HEIC photos before uploading to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Email Attachments: Ensure your photo attachments can be viewed by all recipients regardless of their device or email client.
Website Upload: Most website builders and content management systems work best with JPG format. Convert HEIC files before uploading to your website.
Photo Editing: Many photo editing software applications don't support HEIC. Convert to JPG to edit in Photoshop, GIMP, or online editors.
Technical Details
Our HEIC to JPG converter uses advanced JavaScript technology to decode HEIC files and re-encode them as high-quality JPG images. The conversion process preserves EXIF metadata including date taken, camera settings, and GPS location data. Output JPG files use optimized compression settings (quality level 92) to balance file size and image quality perfectly.
Tips for Best Results
- Convert multiple files at once using batch conversion for maximum efficiency
- Original HEIC files are not modified - you can safely delete them after downloading JPGs
- For best quality, avoid re-converting already converted JPG files
- Check your converted JPGs before deleting original HEIC files
- Use "Download All" feature for quick batch downloads
Privacy and Security
Your privacy is our top priority. Unlike other online converters that upload your photos to remote servers, our HEIC to JPG converter processes everything locally in your browser using WebAssembly technology. This means your personal photos never leave your device, cannot be intercepted, and are not stored on any server. Once you close the browser tab, all processed files are automatically cleared from memory. This makes our converter the safest choice for converting sensitive or private photos.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Just drag your HEIC files into the box above (or click "Choose HEIC Files"). Your browser converts them to JPG automatically – usually takes a few seconds. Then download them. That's it. No account needed, no payment required, no tricks.
Yes! Actually, please do – it's way faster. Select as many as you want (I've done 50+ at once). They all convert simultaneously. Then use "Download All" to grab all the JPGs in one go. Much better than doing them one by one.
On this site? Completely safe. Your photos never leave your computer – everything happens in your browser. Other converters upload your files to their servers, which... yeah, I wouldn't do that with personal photos. This one keeps everything local.
Technically yes, practically no. JPG uses compression, so you're losing some data. But we use high-quality settings (92%), and unless you're printing billboard-sized posters, you won't notice any difference. Your vacation photos will look exactly the same.
Because Microsoft and Apple don't play nice together. HEIC is an Apple thing, and older versions of Windows have no idea what to do with it. Even newer Windows needs a codec installed. Converting to JPG sidesteps all that drama.
Yep! Date taken, GPS location, camera settings – it all copies over to the JPG. Your photos will still show up in the right order in your photo library and keep all their information intact.
No limit from us. Your computer's RAM is the only constraint. Most modern laptops can handle anything a phone camera produces. If you're trying to convert 100MB RAW files from a DSLR... maybe do those in smaller batches.
Not directly here. This tool does HEIC to JPG because that's what 99% of people need. If you really need PNG (bigger files, lossless compression), convert to JPG first, then use a JPG to PNG converter. But honestly? JPG is probably fine for your needs.
Why Convert HEIC to JPG
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's modern image format introduced with iOS 11, offering superior compression that saves significant storage space while maintaining image quality comparable to JPG at half the file size. Despite these technical advantages, HEIC compatibility remains limited outside Apple's ecosystem - Windows requires codec installation to view HEIC files, many websites and applications reject HEIC uploads, social media platforms don't support HEIC natively, and older devices cannot display HEIC images. Converting to JPG provides universal compatibility across all devices, platforms, and applications while sacrificing some file size efficiency. JPG has been the internet's standard image format for decades, ensuring your photos work everywhere without compatibility concerns or requiring recipients to install special software.
Understanding Format Differences
HEIC uses modern compression algorithms derived from HEVC video encoding, achieving better quality at smaller file sizes compared to JPG's older compression method. A 5MB JPG typically becomes a 2-3MB HEIC file with similar visual quality. HEIC supports advanced features like transparency, multiple images in one file (Live Photos), and 16-bit color depth. However, JPG's older technology means broader compatibility - every device, browser, and application created in the last 25 years supports JPG, while HEIC requires recent software and modern hardware. The conversion from HEIC to JPG involves decompressing the HEIC file and recompressing to JPG format, which is lossy and increases file size but ensures universal compatibility and immediate usability across all platforms.
When to Convert HEIC Files
Convert HEIC photos when sharing with non-Apple users who may not have HEIC support on their devices or computers. Upload JPG versions to websites, social media, or online services that don't accept HEIC format - many still reject HEIC uploads. Convert for professional use where maximum compatibility is essential, such as client presentations, job applications, or business communications. Transform HEIC files when archiving photos for long-term storage in a format guaranteed to be viewable decades from now. Convert for editing in software that doesn't support HEIC format. For Windows users receiving iPhone photos, conversion eliminates the need to install HEIC codecs. Convert before printing at photo services or uploading to cloud storage services with limited HEIC support.
Quality Considerations
Converting from HEIC to JPG is a lossy process because both formats use lossy compression, meaning converting already-compressed images introduces additional quality loss. However, with proper quality settings (85-95%), this loss is imperceptible to human eyes for most photos. Avoid converting the same file multiple times - each conversion degrades quality incrementally. For archival purposes, keep original HEIC files and create JPG copies for sharing rather than deleting originals after conversion. Higher JPG quality settings produce larger files but preserve more detail - adjust based on your use case. For web sharing, 80-85% JPG quality balances file size and quality well. For printing, use 90-95% quality to ensure sharp, detailed output. Test different quality settings to find the right balance for your specific needs.
Batch Conversion for iPhone Users
iPhone and iPad users frequently need to convert multiple HEIC photos from camera rolls or photo libraries before sharing. Batch conversion processes multiple files simultaneously, saving enormous time compared to converting images individually. When converting large photo collections, maintain consistent quality settings across all images for uniform results. Organize converted JPG files in folders that mirror your original photo organization for easy management. Consider converting entire events, trips, or photo sessions at once rather than selecting individual images. Some users prefer converting all iPhone photos to JPG regularly to avoid compatibility issues, while others convert only when needed to preserve storage space with HEIC's superior compression. Choose the approach that matches your workflow and storage priorities.
Privacy and Browser-Based Conversion
Browser-based HEIC conversion processes files entirely on your device without uploading photos to external servers, ensuring complete privacy for personal photos, family pictures, or sensitive images. Your photos never leave your device, cannot be intercepted during transmission, and are not stored, logged, or accessed by anyone else. This privacy protection is crucial when converting photos containing personal information, children's photos, private moments, or any sensitive content. For maximum security with highly confidential images, use browser-based conversion in a private browsing session. Traditional desktop conversion software or online services that upload files cannot guarantee the same level of privacy as client-side browser processing. All converted JPG files are saved directly to your device without passing through any third-party servers.
Why iPhone Users Need This
Real-world situations where HEIC format causes headaches and JPG saves the day.
📱 Sharing with Android/Windows Users
You snap a photo on iPhone and text it to a friend—they can't open it. Their Android phone or Windows PC doesn't recognize HEIC format. You look tech-illiterate even though Apple chose the format, not you. Converting to JPG before sharing ensures everyone can view your photos regardless of their device. A photographer lost a client gig after sending portfolio samples in HEIC—the client's laptop couldn't display them and assumed the files were corrupted.
🌐 Website & Social Media Uploads
WordPress, Facebook ads, Etsy listings, and countless web platforms reject HEIC uploads with cryptic error messages. You're forced to retake photos or find workarounds. Converting to JPG fixes compatibility instantly. E-commerce sellers waste hours troubleshooting uploads when the issue is just file format. One Shopify store owner couldn't figure out why product photos wouldn't upload for 2 days—HEIC was the culprit.
💼 Professional Documents
Job applications, visa forms, and business documents request JPG or PNG for photo uploads—HEIC gets rejected. You're filling out a 20-page form and discover your headshot won't upload at the last step. Converting beforehand prevents application delays. Real estate agents embedding property photos in PDFs hit compatibility issues with HEIC. Converting to JPG ensures clients on all devices see listings correctly without missing images.
🖨️ Printing Services
Photo printing kiosks at drugstores and online print services often can't process HEIC files. You show up with vacation photos on a USB drive expecting prints in an hour—the kiosk displays errors. Converting to JPG before heading to the print shop saves trips. Wedding photographers learned this the hard way when clients couldn't print their ceremony photos because the lab's system didn't support HEIC, delaying delivery by a week.
Get More From Your Conversions
💡 Batch Convert Before Traveling
Before international trips, batch convert recent iPhone photos to JPG. Hotel business centers, airport printing kiosks, and internet cafes abroad rarely support HEIC. Having JPG backups means you can print boarding passes with photo IDs, share travel photos with new friends, or upload images to travel blogs without compatibility drama. One traveler couldn't print required visa photos at a foreign embassy because their iPhone HEICs weren't supported—had to reschedule the appointment.
🎯 Keep HEIC Originals, Share JPG Copies
HEIC files are smaller with better quality—great for personal archives. Convert to JPG only for sharing, not as a replacement. Keep your iPhone's HEIC library intact for space efficiency (HEIC images are 40-50% smaller than equivalent JPGs). Convert individual photos when needed for sharing or uploads. Think of JPG as the "export" format for compatibility, HEIC as the "master" format for storage.
📧 Convert Before Email Attachments
Email recipients on non-Apple devices often can't open HEIC attachments—they see blank thumbnails or download errors. Convert to JPG before attaching to emails, especially for work or client communication. Saves awkward "I can't see your photos" reply threads. Business owners emailing product images to suppliers should always convert first. One manufacturer lost a rush order because the buyer couldn't view the HEIC samples and assumed the seller was unprofessional.
HEIC Conversion Mistakes
❌ Using Online Converters That Upload Your Photos
Many HEIC converters upload your photos to their servers for processing—your personal images, vacation shots, or sensitive documents end up on strangers' servers. Some sites claim they "delete after 24 hours," but you have no verification. Browser-based converters that process locally (like ours) never upload anything. Your photos stay on your device. For personal or private images, always use tools that explicitly process locally. Privacy matters.
✓ Safety Check: Look for "processes locally" or "browser-based conversion" language. If a site requires uploads or shows progress bars for "uploading," your photos are leaving your device.
❌ Over-Compressing During Conversion
Some converters aggressively compress JPGs to reduce file size, destroying image quality. You convert a crisp HEIC photo and get a blocky, artifact-filled JPG that looks terrible printed or zoomed in. For photos you might print or use professionally, preserve quality during conversion. File size matters less than image quality for important photos. One wedding guest converted ceremony photos to share with the couple—over-compression made them unusable for the wedding album.
✓ Quality First: Use converters with quality settings. Choose "High Quality" or 90-95% quality for photos you care about. Compression is for web thumbnails, not memories.
❌ Converting Your Entire Photo Library
HEIC saves storage space—converting everything to JPG balloons your photo library size by 40-50%. A 20GB HEIC library becomes 35GB in JPG. Unless you're ditching iPhones forever, keep HEICs on your device and convert individual photos only when needed for sharing. Mass conversion wastes storage for minimal benefit. One user filled their iPhone by converting 5,000 photos to JPG "just in case," then had no space for new photos during vacation.
✓ Smart Approach: Convert on-demand. Need to share 10 photos? Convert those 10. Keep your library in efficient HEIC format unless you're permanently switching ecosystems.
Why Convert HEIC to JPG
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's modern image format introduced with iOS 11, offering superior compression that saves significant storage space while maintaining image quality comparable to JPG at half the file size. Despite these technical advantages, HEIC compatibility remains limited outside Apple's ecosystem - Windows requires codec installation to view HEIC files, many websites and applications reject HEIC uploads, social media platforms don't support HEIC natively, and older devices cannot display HEIC images. Converting to JPG provides universal compatibility across all devices, platforms, and applications while sacrificing some file size efficiency. JPG has been the internet's standard image format for decades, ensuring your photos work everywhere without compatibility concerns or requiring recipients to install special software.
Understanding Format Differences
HEIC uses modern compression algorithms derived from HEVC video encoding, achieving better quality at smaller file sizes compared to JPG's older compression method. A 5MB JPG typically becomes a 2-3MB HEIC file with similar visual quality. HEIC supports advanced features like transparency, multiple images in one file (Live Photos), and 16-bit color depth. However, JPG's older technology means broader compatibility - every device, browser, and application created in the last 25 years supports JPG, while HEIC requires recent software and modern hardware. The conversion from HEIC to JPG involves decompressing the HEIC file and recompressing to JPG format, which is lossy and increases file size but ensures universal compatibility and immediate usability across all platforms.
When to Convert HEIC Files
Convert HEIC photos when sharing with non-Apple users who may not have HEIC support on their devices or computers. Upload JPG versions to websites, social media, or online services that don't accept HEIC format - many still reject HEIC uploads. Convert for professional use where maximum compatibility is essential, such as client presentations, job applications, or business communications. Transform HEIC files when archiving photos for long-term storage in a format guaranteed to be viewable decades from now. Convert for editing in software that doesn't support HEIC format. For Windows users receiving iPhone photos, conversion eliminates the need to install HEIC codecs. Convert before printing at photo services or uploading to cloud storage services with limited HEIC support.
Quality Considerations
Converting from HEIC to JPG is a lossy process because both formats use lossy compression, meaning converting already-compressed images introduces additional quality loss. However, with proper quality settings (85-95%), this loss is imperceptible to human eyes for most photos. Avoid converting the same file multiple times - each conversion degrades quality incrementally. For archival purposes, keep original HEIC files and create JPG copies for sharing rather than deleting originals after conversion. Higher JPG quality settings produce larger files but preserve more detail - adjust based on your use case. For web sharing, 80-85% JPG quality balances file size and quality well. For printing, use 90-95% quality to ensure sharp, detailed output. Test different quality settings to find the right balance for your specific needs.
Batch Conversion for iPhone Users
iPhone and iPad users frequently need to convert multiple HEIC photos from camera rolls or photo libraries before sharing. Batch conversion processes multiple files simultaneously, saving enormous time compared to converting images individually. When converting large photo collections, maintain consistent quality settings across all images for uniform results. Organize converted JPG files in folders that mirror your original photo organization for easy management. Consider converting entire events, trips, or photo sessions at once rather than selecting individual images. Some users prefer converting all iPhone photos to JPG regularly to avoid compatibility issues, while others convert only when needed to preserve storage space with HEIC's superior compression. Choose the approach that matches your workflow and storage priorities.
Privacy and Browser-Based Conversion
Browser-based HEIC conversion processes files entirely on your device without uploading photos to external servers, ensuring complete privacy for personal photos, family pictures, or sensitive images. Your photos never leave your device, cannot be intercepted during transmission, and are not stored, logged, or accessed by anyone else. This privacy protection is crucial when converting photos containing personal information, children's photos, private moments, or any sensitive content. For maximum security with highly confidential images, use browser-based conversion in a private browsing session. Traditional desktop conversion software or online services that upload files cannot guarantee the same level of privacy as client-side browser processing. All converted JPG files are saved directly to your device without passing through any third-party servers.