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How to convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone

The short answer

In PicWay, touch and hold the photo, tap Convert format, choose JPG, and tap Convert to JPG. A JPG copy is saved to the PicWay Conversions album, and the original HEIC stays. To shoot JPG from now on, set Settings › Camera › Formats to Most Compatible.

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How to do it

  1. Touch and hold the photo

    In PicWay’s library, touch and hold the photo you want to convert, then tap Convert format.

  2. Choose JPG

    Pick JPG (works everywhere; best for sharing). HEIC and PNG are there too.

  3. Convert

    Tap Convert to JPG. The copy is saved to the PicWay Conversions album in Photos, with capture date, location, favorite, albums, and PicWay tags kept where possible.

Why are my iPhone photos HEIC?

HEIF (the format behind .heic files) and HEVC compress better than JPEG and H.264, so they take less space on your iPhone and in iCloud Photos (Apple Support: Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices).

Can I make my iPhone shoot JPG instead?

Yes. Go to Settings › Camera › Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos are saved as JPEG and new videos as H.264. Photos you already took stay HEIC, which is where converting comes in.

Does the iPhone convert HEIC by itself?

Sometimes. Apple says AirDrop, Messages, or email may send a more compatible format, such as JPEG, when the other device can’t open HEIF. Importing to a PC over USB may also convert. Apple’s examples of converting by hand use a Mac.

Can I convert Live Photos?

Not yet. Convert format works on regular still photos. Live Photos and animated images aren’t supported.

What about MOV to MP4?

Open the video in PicWay, tap Edit, then Convert, and pick MP4 · H.264 or MP4 · HEVC. MP4 saves a new video and leaves the original as it was. You can also touch and hold a video and tap Make GIF.