HEIC vs JPG: Understanding iPhone Photo Formats

If you've ever tried to open an iPhone photo on a Windows PC or upload it to a website, you've probably encountered a file with the .heic extension and wondered why it won't open.

What is HEIC?

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. Apple adopted it with iOS 11 in 2017 as the default format for iPhone and iPad photos.

The key advantage: HEIC images are about 50% smaller than JPG at the same visual quality.

What is JPG?

JPG (also written JPEG) has been the dominant photo format since the 1990s. It's universally supported on every device, operating system, browser, and photo service.

The key advantage: Universal compatibility.

HEIC vs JPG: Side-by-Side Comparison

• File size — HEIC wins. 50% smaller than JPG at equivalent quality.
• Image quality — HEIC is slightly better at the same file size.
• Compatibility — JPG wins by a wide margin. HEIC isn't supported on Windows, most Android apps, or many websites.

When to Use Each Format

• Keep HEIC on your iPhone — Save storage while the photos stay on your device.
• Convert to JPG for sharing — Use our [HEIC to JPG](/tools/heic-to-jpg) converter before sharing with non-Apple users.

How to Stop Your iPhone Saving HEIC

Go to Settings → Camera → Formats and select Most Compatible.

How to Convert HEIC to JPG

1. Open our [HEIC to JPG](/tools/heic-to-jpg) converter.
2. Upload your HEIC photos — batch convert up to 50 at once.
3. Download the JPG files, compatible with any device or platform.