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HEIC vs JPG – iPhone Photos Explained

HEIC saves space on your iPhone but isn't always compatible. Learn when to keep HEIC and when to convert to JPG.

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Quick Answer

HEIC gives smaller, higher-quality photos on an iPhone, but few systems outside Apple's support it. JPG works everywhere. Convert HEIC to JPG when you share photos with other people or upload them to a platform that doesn't support HEIC.

HEIC vs JPG Comparison

FeatureHEICJPG
CompressionHEVC (High Efficiency)DCT-based lossy
File size~50% smaller than JPGLarger
QualityBetter at same file sizeGood, but less efficient
TransparencyYesNo
Browser supportSafari, Chrome, Firefox, EdgeUniversal
Windows supportRequires extensionNative
Android supportAndroid 9+Universal
Social mediaMostly supportedFully supported
Default oniPhone (iOS 11+)Most cameras and phones
Editing supportLimited softwareUniversal

When to Use HEIC

  • iPhone photography, for smaller files with better quality on Apple devices
  • Saving storage space: you can keep roughly twice as many photos at the same quality
  • Moving photos between iPhone, Mac and iCloud
  • Burst photos and Live Photos, since HEIC supports sequences that JPG cannot
  • Photos with depth data, because HEIC keeps Portrait mode depth maps

When to Use JPG

  • Sharing photos widely, since any device, app or website can open them
  • Uploading to older platforms, as some websites and systems don't accept HEIC
  • Professional editing, because most editing software handles JPG natively
  • Email attachments that recipients can open without special software
  • Windows, where JPG works without installing extra codecs

Compatibility in Practice

Most people convert HEIC to JPG for compatibility. Support is improving (modern Chrome, Firefox and Edge can display HEIC), but many situations still call for JPG:

  • Emailing photos to someone on an older computer
  • Uploading to certain websites, forums, or government portals
  • Using photo editing software that doesn't support HEIC
  • Printing photos at retail kiosks
  • Sharing with Android users on older OS versions

Quality and File Size

HEIC gets its smaller files from the HEVC (H.265) codec, which compresses much more efficiently than JPG's DCT-based method. In practice, a photo that takes 10MB as a JPG might take 5-6MB as a HEIC at equivalent visual quality.

For most users the difference only matters when storage is limited or when uploading many photos over a slow connection.

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Convert HEIC photos to JPG or other formats in your browser, with no uploads to any server.

Convert HEIC Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HEIC?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is an image format based on the HEVC video codec. Apple adopted it as the default photo format on iOS 11 and later to save storage space while maintaining high quality.

Why does iPhone use HEIC?

HEIC files are roughly 50% smaller than equivalent JPG files at similar quality. This means iPhones can store more photos while using less storage, and photos upload faster to iCloud and other services.

Can I open HEIC on Windows?

Windows 10 (version 1809+) and Windows 11 can open HEIC files after installing the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Older versions or systems without the extension will not open HEIC files natively.

Is HEIC better than JPG?

HEIC generally offers better compression than JPG, with smaller files at similar or better quality. It also supports transparency, depth maps, and burst photo sequences. However, JPG has much wider compatibility across all devices and platforms.

How do I convert HEIC to JPG?

You can convert HEIC to JPG in your browser using our free HEIC to JPG converter. No software is needed: upload your HEIC files and download JPG versions instantly.