Option 1: Convert them to JPG online
The fastest way when you have a handful of photos. Open the HEIC to JPG converter, drop the photos in, and download the JPGs. You can convert several at once and download them as one ZIP.
By default, location data is removed from the photos so you don't share where they were taken. Photos are rotated the right way up automatically, and everything is deleted from our server after 24 hours.
Option 2: Install the Windows extensions
To view HEIC photos directly in the Windows Photos app, install two extensions from the Microsoft Store:
- HEIF Image Extensions (free), which adds the HEIF container format.
- HEVC Video Extensions (a small one-off fee), which decodes the image data inside HEIC files. Some PCs come with it already installed.
After that, Photos and File Explorer thumbnails work. Websites and older apps still won't accept HEIC, though, so you may still need JPGs for uploads.
Option 3: Make the iPhone send JPGs
On the iPhone, open Settings → Photos and under Transfer to Mac or PC choose Automatic. Photos copied over a cable are then converted to JPG on the way.
To stop HEIC altogether, go to Settings → Camera → Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos are saved as JPG, but they take roughly twice the space on the phone.
Which should you choose?
- A few photos to send or upload today: convert them online.
- You look at iPhone photos on this PC often: install the extensions.
- You never want to deal with HEIC again: switch the camera to Most Compatible.
Need PNG instead, for editing without quality loss? Use HEIC to PNG.