HEIC to JPG on Windows: Why Your iPhone Photos Won't Open
You copy a folder of photos from your iPhone to your PC, double-click one, and get a blank thumbnail or an error. Nothing is wrong with the photo. It is saved as HEIC, Apple's default camera format, and your copy of Windows doesn't know how to read it.
This guide covers three practical ways to do HEIC to JPG on Windows, when each one makes sense, and what to expect from the quality of the result.
What Is a HEIC File?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is a file format that stores images using the HEVC video codec. Apple switched iPhones to it with iOS 11 because it keeps similar visual quality to JPG at a noticeably smaller file size. The trade-off is compatibility: JPG opens everywhere, HEIC does not. Older Windows versions, many web upload forms, print kiosks, and plenty of older editing software still expect JPG.
Method 1: Convert HEIC to JPG Online (Fastest)
This works on any Windows version and requires no installation.
- Open the FileCrank HEIC to JPG converter.
- Drag your HEIC files onto the page, or click to browse. Files up to 100 MB are accepted.
- Pick an output quality: Low (smaller file), Medium (balanced), or High (closest to the original).
- Download the JPG.
No account or signup is involved. Your file is uploaded to our server for conversion and deleted automatically after about an hour. If the photos are sensitive, that is worth knowing: the conversion is not happening on your own machine, so for private images a local method below may suit you better.
Convert HEIC to JPG →Method 2: Install the Windows HEIC Codecs
If you would rather have Windows open HEIC natively, Microsoft offers codec extensions in the Microsoft Store:
- Open the Microsoft Store and search for HEIF Image Extensions and install it.
- Also install HEVC Video Extensions. Windows often needs both before HEIC thumbnails appear.
- Restart File Explorer or sign out and back in.
Be aware that Microsoft has charged a small fee for the HEVC extension on some Windows versions, because HEVC is a licensed codec, while some device makers bundle it for free. Check the price shown in the Store before you buy.
After installing, you can open HEIC files in Photos. To get a JPG, open the photo and use Save as or the editing tools to export. That is fine for one image, but it gets slow for dozens.
Method 3: Stop Shooting HEIC on Your iPhone
If the problem keeps recurring, fix it at the source:
- On the iPhone, open Settings > Camera > Formats.
- Choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG.
- Optionally, go to Settings > Photos and under Transfer to Mac or PC choose Automatic. iOS will then convert HEIC to a compatible format when you transfer photos by cable.
The downside is larger files, so your photos take up more storage. This setting does not change photos you have already taken, so you will still need Method 1 or 2 for existing HEIC files.
Which Method Should You Use?
Does HEIC to JPG Lose Quality?
A little, yes. JPG is a lossy format, so converting re-encodes the image and discards some fine detail. At high quality settings the difference is rarely visible at normal viewing sizes. Two things to expect:
- Larger files. A JPG is usually bigger than the HEIC it came from. If size matters afterwards, our compress JPG tool can shrink it.
- Lost extras. HEIC can hold features JPG does not, such as Live Photo motion and depth data. The converted JPG is a still image.
If you need transparency or want to avoid lossy re-encoding altogether, HEIC to PNG is an alternative, with much larger files. For more on the quality trade-off, see our explainer on lossy vs lossless conversion.
Quick Troubleshooting
- Converted photo is rotated. Re-convert it; the orientation tag is normally preserved, but some viewers ignore it.
- File won't upload. Check it is under 100 MB and really a .heic or .heif file.
- Photo location still attached. JPGs can carry GPS data. See what photo metadata reveals before sharing publicly.
Convert Your HEIC Photos Now
Ready to open those iPhone photos? Use the free HEIC to JPG converter. No signup, and uploaded files are deleted after about an hour.