Image guides
HEIC vs JPG: why your iPhone uses HEIC and how to convert it
Your iPhone photos won't open on your PC? It's the HEIC format. We explain what it is and how to switch it to JPG without losing quality.
Published on June 1, 2026
If you've tried to open an iPhone photo on a Windows computer or upload it to a website and it failed, it was almost certainly a HEIC file. It's the format Apple has used by default for years.
What is HEIC?
HEIC (or HEIF) is a modern image format that compresses photos far more efficiently than JPG: it takes up about half the space at the same quality. The problem is compatibility: many programs, websites and older devices still can't open it.
HEIC vs JPG
- HEIC: smaller size, great quality, limited compatibility.
- JPG: slightly larger files, but absolutely everything opens them.
- To save space on the iPhone, HEIC wins; to share or edit anywhere, JPG wins.
How to convert HEIC to JPG
With DocuMixa the conversion happens right in your browser: your photos aren't uploaded to any server, which adds an extra layer of privacy. You can convert several at once and download them in a ZIP.
Convert HEIC to JPG
Convert iPhone HEIC photos to compatible JPG.
Tip: avoid HEIC from the start
If you'd rather have the iPhone take photos directly in JPG, go to Settings → Camera → Formats and choose “Most Compatible”. You'll lose some storage efficiency, but you'll save yourself conversions.