How to Convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone: Beginner’s Guide (+ Tips for Power Users)

If you've ever tried to upload your iPhone pics to a website or send them to a friend with a non-Apple device and been met with weird errors or blank previews, blame HEIC, Apple’s go-to image format.

Here’s the catch: HEIC files often don’t play nice with Windows, Google services, older Macs, or even some editing apps. That’s where converting them to good old JPG (aka JPEG) becomes essential.

This guide shows you how to convert HEIC files to JPEG format on your iPhone. Whether you're snapping night mode portraits or batch-saving memes from a group chat, we’ll help you unlock maximum usability from your photos.

Plus, if you’re a power user who wants to do more (like turn JPGs into PDFs, organize your files, or share across platforms), we’ve got a few tricks lined up for you with tools like MobiPDF.

But first...

What is HEIC?

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Coding: Apple’s go-to image format since iOS 11. Apple knows your phone storage fills up fast – usually at the worst possible moment (cue: mid-hike eagle sighting or impromptu product shoot).

So, they switched to the high-efficiency image format, which shrinks file size without trashing quality.

Think: crystal-clear images that take up less space. More selfies; fewer “Storage Almost Full” pop-ups.

But this format isn’t just light on storage; it’s also loaded with features.

HEIC images support 16-bit color for richer detail, transparency, Live Photos, and even metadata that tracks when and where your shots were taken.

Still, even the smartest formats have a weak spot. HEIC’s advanced features can trip up older software, non-Apple platforms, and even some web tools.

Is HEIC Better Than JPG?

Technically, it's a yes from us.

HEIC is like the overachiever in your album: smaller (but sharper), smarter, and loaded with hidden talents.

Thanks to 16-bit color, HEIC images are often more vibrant than JPGs, even after a few rounds of editing. Plus, it supports transparency (hello, logo makers) and motion (Live Photos, anyone?).

A win-win... until you try to send it to a friend using Windows or open it in that ancient design app you haven’t updated since 2017.

Need a reliable two-way PDF to image converter? Get MobiPDF for fast and simple conversions that preserve the original quality.

Why Convert HEIC to JPG?

JPG is the internet’s favorite image format. It’s like the default guest on every platform: welcomed by websites, email clients, printers, social media apps, cloud tools, and grandma’s 2009 laptop alike.

Meanwhile, HEIC images can feel like that cool friend who always shows up fashionably late. If you’ve ever tried to:

• Upload a photo to an online form and got an error;

• Attach HEIC images to an email, and they just didn’t show up;

• Or share images with your Android friends (no, AirDrop won’t save you)...

…chances are HEIC was the party crasher.

Even some pro tools still fumble HEIC files: stripping out Live Photo elements, crushing metadata, or simply refusing to open them.

Methods to Convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone (Built-In and iCloud)

Apple actually gives you several ways to ditch HEIC when you need JPGs. Here are the easiest (and most effective) options, whether you’re looking for a quick HEIC converter to JPG.

Using iPhone Camera Settings (Default to JPG)

Don’t want to deal with conversions ever again? Just change your iPhone settings:

1. Open the "Settings" app.

2. Scroll down and tap "Camera" → "Formats".

3. Select "Most Compatible".

From now on, your iPhone will save images in JPG instead of the HEIC format. It’s the set-it-and-forget-it method for anyone who wants universal compatibility by default.

Sharing via Photos App

HEIC images are automatically converted to JPG when you share them using most methods. Here’s how:

1. Open the "Photos" app and select the snap / multiple images.

2. Tap "Share" → Choose an app like "Mail", "Messages", or "WhatsApp".

3. iOS will convert the image(s) to JPG before sending.

Alternatively, you can also use this clever paste move for your file conversions:

1. In the "Photos" app, tap "Share" → "Copy Photo".

2. Open the "Files" app → Go to "On My iPhone".

3. Long-press an empty space → "Paste".

Your image is now saved in JPG image format. From there, you can move it, rename it, or share it anywhere.

iCloud Drive Workaround

Need JPGs on a computer? Try this workaround for file conversions:

1. From "Photos", tap "Share" → "Save to Files" → Choose "iCloud Drive".

2. On your Mac or PC, open iCloud Drive in a browser and download the image.

The download will often be in JPG format, especially if you’re grabbing it via a browser.

Bonus points if you use Automator (Mac) or Shortcuts to convert multiple HEIC photos later.

Using the Shortcuts App

Want to batch-convert like a pro? Set up a Shortcut:

1. Open the "Shortcuts" app → Create a new shortcut.

2. Input: "Select Photos".

3. Action: "Convert to JPG".

4. Output: "Save to Photo Album" or "Files".

5. Optional: Toggle on "Preserve Metadata" to keep GPS/EXIF info.

You can even add this shortcut to your Home Screen for one-tap access. Ideal for creators, students, and professionals juggling a lot of images.

JPEGs are just the start. Master PDFs – the most popular universally compatible file format on the web – with the all-in-one PDF tool from MobiSystems.

Congratulations – your HEICs are JPEGs. Now what?

So, you’ve converted your HEIC files to JPG. Great work! You’ve just unlocked a whole new level of productivity, especially if you’re using a document-centric app like MobiPDF.

Here’s how your everyday images can become next-level assets with a little bit of extra work.

Enhance PDFs visually

Add a custom touch to client documents or presentations with JPG files of logos, product shots, or even your signature. Say goodbye to boring PDFs!

Create PDF photo albums

Took 237 images on your last road trip? Convert them to JPG, combine them in MobiPDF, and you've created an instant album, ready to share or print.

Turn image content into editable PDFs

JPGs play nicely with OCR (optical character recognition) tools. That means scanned notes, signs, or posters become searchable and editable faster than you can say "Where did I save that?"

Invoice or receipt archiving

Turn those HEIC receipts into JPGs, then bundle them into one tidy PDF on your iPhone for monthly reports or taxes. Your accountant will thank you.

Digital whiteboard scans

Snap a whiteboard session, save it as JPG, then drop it into a PDF to create a shareable summary for your team or class project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I convert HEIC to JPG or PNG?

It depends on your goal. JPG is best for smaller file sizes and easy sharing. Choose PNG if you need transparency (like logos) or plan to heavily edit the image.

Can I convert HEIC to JPG in Google Drive?

Not directly: uploading or downloading from Drive won’t change the format. Try using Google Photos or convert the file before uploading.

Can I convert HEIC to JPG on Android?

Absolutely! Apps like Luma, Snapseed, or web-based tools like Convertio can help you handle this without any problems whatsoever.

How to convert HEIC to JPG without losing quality?

Use the "Shortcuts" app on iOS and make sure “Max Quality” is selected. Tools like "Lightroom" are also great for preserving both image quality and metadata.

How to convert HEIC to JPG from command line?

This method is ideal for developers or anyone managing lots of files. Try "magick input.heic output.jpg" (using ImageMagick)" or "heif-convert input.heic output.jpg" (from the libheif toolkit)".

What happens to image metadata during conversion?

Some converters strip out EXIF, GPS, and timestamp info. To keep it:

• Use iOS Shortcuts with the “Preserve Metadata” option turned on.

• Opt for professional tools which retain embedded data.

What are other HEIC disadvantages besides low adoption?

• Metadata stripping – Many converters remove EXIF data like location, date, and camera settings.

• Email and web upload issues – Some email clients and web forms won’t recognize or accept HEIC files.

• Slower performance – Older mobile devices, tablets, and apps may take longer to load HEIC images, or fail to load them at all.

• Poor support in publishing – Digital printers and publishing tools often don’t play well with the format.

Conclusion

HEIC might be the cool new kid, but JPG still runs the show when it comes to sharing, editing, and getting stuff done.

This guide showed you how you can convert and keep your photo flow smooth across devices and platforms with a few quick tweaks.

Once your pics are in JPG, you’re free to use them however you want – add them to resumes, collab docs, social posts, or when building professional workflows.

If you’re ready to level up, MobiPDF makes it super easy to turn those JPGs into clean, pro-level documents. See for yourself!