Open iPhone HEIC photos on a Windows PC
iPhones save photos as HEIC by default. Copy them to a Windows computer and many apps show an error, ask you to buy an extension, or refuse to upload them to websites.
HEIC to JPG converts the photos to the universally supported JPG format directly in your browser, so you don't need to install anything and the photos stay on your computer.
HEIC is efficient, often around half the size of an equivalent JPG, which is why Apple uses it. The trade-off is compatibility: many Windows programs, older photo frames, printers and website upload forms still expect JPG. Converting a copy for sharing while keeping the originals in your iPhone library gives you the best of both, and keeps the higher-efficiency files available for later. Converted JPGs open in File Explorer previews, Word, email attachments and almost every website form.
Step by step
- Copy the HEIC photos from your iPhone to your PC.
- Open HEIC to JPG in your browser and add the photos.
- Convert and download the JPGs, individually or as a ZIP.
- Open them in Photos, Paint or any website upload form.
Tips
- Select a whole folder of photos at once to convert them in one batch.
- To avoid HEIC in future, set iPhone Settings → Camera → Formats to Most Compatible.
- Need smaller files for email? Run the JPGs through Compress image.
Questions
- Do I need to install a codec or extension?
- No. Conversion happens in the browser without installing anything.
- Are my photos uploaded?
- No. They are converted on your computer.
- Will photo quality drop?
- JPG is compressed, but at normal settings the difference is very hard to see.
Related tools
Full guide: How to convert HEIC photos to JPG