Have you ever sent photos from your iPhone to a Windows PC or Android phone, only to find they won't open or display? The cause is the HEIC image format that iPhones use by default.
What Is HEIC?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is an image format that Apple adopted as the default starting with iOS 11 in 2017. It achieves the same image quality as JPEG while reducing file size by approximately 50%.
Officially called HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format), files use the ".heic" or ".heif" extension.
Why HEIC Files Won't Open
- Windows 10/11: Not natively supported. You need to install the "HEIF Image Extensions" from the Microsoft Store
- Older Android devices: Android 9+ supports HEIC, but older devices may not display them
- Web browsers: Chrome, Edge, and Firefox support HEIC. Safari (macOS/iOS) also supports it
- Image editing software: Older versions may not support HEIC
How to Convert HEIC to JPEG
Method 1: Change iPhone Settings
Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and select "Most Compatible." This captures photos in JPEG from the start, though file sizes will be larger.
Method 2: Auto-Convert During Transfer
Go to Settings > Photos > Transfer to Mac or PC and select "Automatic." Photos will be automatically converted to JPEG when transferred to a computer.
Method 3: Use an Online Conversion Tool
There are web services that convert HEIC files to JPEG in your browser. However, be cautious about uploading personal photos to external services from a privacy perspective.
Method 4: Upload to PicTomo
When you upload HEIC photos to PicTomo, they are automatically converted to JPEG/WebP right in your browser. The conversion happens on your own device, so your privacy is protected. Converted photos are saved in high quality up to 4K (4096px).
Summary
HEIC is an excellent format with small file sizes and high quality, but compatibility issues remain. For events with many iPhone users, PicTomo lets everyone share high-quality photos without worrying about HEIC conversion.