You copy a photo from your iPhone to a Windows PC and the thumbnail won't load, or you try to upload it somewhere and get "unsupported file format." That's almost always because of HEIC, the format iPhones use by default. Here's how to convert HEIC to JPG, and how to shrink the file size while you're at it.
What is HEIC, and why won't it open?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the photo format iPhones have used by default since iOS 11. It stores the same visual quality in a smaller file than JPG, but it relies on a compression technology called HEVC that carries licensing costs, so Windows doesn't support it out of the box.
Windows 11 can view HEIC photos directly in the Photos app and File Explorer once you install the free HEIF Image Extensions app from the Microsoft Store. Windows 10 can use the same extension, and some setups also need the HEVC Video Extensions. (Per Microsoft's official Store listing, checked: 2026-10-04.)
Even after installing the extension on your PC, though, you'll run into the same problem again the moment you send that photo to someone else or upload it to a site that doesn't support HEIC. Converting it to JPG for good is the more reliable fix.
How to convert HEIC to JPG with Dagochim
- Open the Image Format Converter tool.
- Drag in your HEIC photos. You can upload several at once.
- Choose JPG (or PNG) as the target format.
- Download the converted files. If you uploaded multiple, you can download them all together.
Shrinking the file size itself
Separately from changing format, you can also lower JPG quality (compression level) to make the file noticeably smaller. The same tool lets you set a lower quality value while converting. That's plenty for viewing on screen or sending over a messaging app, but avoid going too low if the photo is meant to be printed.
Alternatives: built-in iPhone and Windows options
On iPhone, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose "Most Compatible" so future photos save as JPG instead of HEIC. This only affects photos taken from now on — anything already shot in HEIC still needs converting.
In the Windows Photos app, after installing the HEIF extension, you can open a photo and use Save As to save it as a JPG. It's one file at a time, which gets tedious with a lot of photos.
Common problems
- Colors look slightly different after converting: HEIC can store a wider color range than JPG, so converting can shift colors very subtly. It's not usually a noticeable difference.
- The photo appears rotated 90 degrees: if a conversion process doesn't properly honor the rotation data (EXIF) stored in the file, the photo can look sideways. Dagochim's tool preserves and applies the original rotation during conversion.
- What happens to Live Photos?: a Live Photo is really a still photo plus a short video clip bundled together. Converting to JPG keeps just the still image; the video portion is dropped.
Is my data safe?
Yes. Dagochim's image converter never uploads your photos to a server — everything happens inside your browser. Even travel photos carrying GPS location data are never sent anywhere.
Converting a whole batch at once
If you've just transferred a bunch of photos from your iPhone, it's more efficient to drag the entire folder into Dagochim's tool at once rather than one at a time. You'll see the file size drop noticeably right after conversion.
You can convert to PNG and WebP too
Dagochim's image converter isn't limited to HEIC — it also converts between PNG, WebP, GIF, and more. Use PNG when you need a transparent background, and WebP for lightweight images meant for a website.
Size limits for email and messaging
A few photos are usually fine, but sending dozens at once, or sending full-resolution originals, can hit a size limit. Dropping quality to around 80-85% often shrinks the file quite a bit with almost no visible difference. Keep a backup of anything you need to preserve at full quality, and get in the habit of sending a compressed copy instead.
Google Photos and iCloud can auto-convert too
Uploading HEIC photos to Google Photos and downloading them back from the web often converts them to JPG automatically. That still requires uploading to the cloud first, though, so if you want a quick local conversion right now, a browser-based tool is simpler.
HEIC on Android, and other devices
Android phones generally don't shoot in HEIC by default, so this problem is mostly specific to photos that originated on an iPhone (or were shared from one). If a friend airdrops or messages you a HEIC photo and your device can't open it, the browser-based conversion in this guide works regardless of what device you're on — phone, PC, or Mac.
Keeping originals vs. converting everything
If storage space isn't a concern, it's fine to keep your original HEIC photos untouched and only convert copies when you actually need to share or upload them somewhere. That way you keep the smaller file size and wider color range of HEIC for your personal archive, while still being able to produce a widely-compatible JPG whenever a specific situation calls for one.
Checking the result before you delete anything
Before deleting the original HEIC files to save space, open a handful of the converted JPGs to confirm they look right — correct orientation, acceptable color, and the right photo matched to the right filename. This only takes a minute but avoids the frustrating situation of realizing an original is gone after you've already cleared it from your device or cloud backup.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't HEIC photos open?
HEIC uses a compression technology called HEVC, which involves licensing costs, so Windows doesn't support it out of the box. Microsoft's free Store extension adds that support.
Does converting reduce photo quality?
As long as you don't set JPG quality too low, the difference is barely noticeable. JPG files can end up slightly larger than HEIC at the same visual quality, though.
Can I make my iPhone shoot in JPG going forward?
Yes — go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose "Most Compatible" so future photos save as JPG.