How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac (4 Methods, Free)

On Mac, the fastest way to convert HEIC to JPG is using Preview: open the HEIC file, go to File → Export, choose JPEG as the format, and save. No third-party software needed. If you have multiple files, use Finder's Quick Actions (right-click → Quick Actions → Convert Image) to batch convert. For files you need to share outside the Apple ecosystem — on Windows, Android, or web — an online converter like PixelTools works without any software installation.

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default photo format on iPhone since iOS 11. Apple chose it because HEIC files are typically half the size of equivalent JPGs at the same visual quality — which saves significant storage on devices and iCloud. The problem is compatibility: HEIC is based on the HEIF standard developed by the MPEG group, and while Apple supports it natively, it's not widely supported outside the Apple ecosystem. Windows requires a codec to open HEIC files. Most web platforms, Android devices, and older software don't support it at all. This is why you often need to convert HEIC to JPG before sharing or uploading photos.

Preview is built into macOS and handles HEIC natively. This is the simplest method for converting one file at a time.

1. Double-click the HEIC file to open it in Preview (this should happen automatically) 2. Go to File → Export in the menu bar 3. In the Format dropdown, select JPEG 4. Adjust the Quality slider if needed (100 for maximum quality) 5. Choose a save location and click Save

The exported file will be a standard JPG readable on any device. Preview preserves image dimensions and does not recompress more than necessary at quality 100.

If you have multiple HEIC files to convert, Finder's Quick Actions are the fastest native option on macOS Monterey and later.

1. Select one or more HEIC files in Finder 2. Right-click → Quick Actions → Convert Image 3. In the dialog, choose JPEG as the format 4. Select image size (choose Actual Size to keep original dimensions) 5. Click Convert to JPEG

Finder creates new JPG files alongside the originals — it does not delete the HEIC files. If you don't see "Convert Image" in Quick Actions, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Extensions → Finder and enable it.

If your HEIC photos are in the Photos library, you can export them as JPG directly from the app.

1. Open Photos and select the images you want to convert 2. Go to File → Export → Export [N] Photos 3. In the export dialog, set Photo Kind to JPEG 4. Adjust quality if desired, then click Export 5. Choose a destination folder and click Export

Photos can handle large batch exports this way. Note that this exports a copy of the file — the original HEIC stays in your library. If you want to include metadata (location, date, camera info), make sure "Include Location Information" is checked in the export dialog.

If you're on an older Mac without Quick Actions, need to convert files from a different device, or just want a quick one-off conversion, an online converter is the easiest option. PixelTools converts HEIC to JPG entirely in your browser — no files are uploaded to a server, and no account is required.

1. Go to [pixeltools.io/convert/heic-to-jpg](/convert/heic-to-jpg) 2. Drop your HEIC file onto the page 3. Download the converted JPG

This works on any device — Mac, Windows, or mobile. It's also useful when you need to convert a single file quickly without opening Finder or Preview.

Converting HEIC to JPG involves re-encoding the image, which introduces some quality loss — JPG uses lossy compression. However, at high quality settings (90–100%), the difference is invisible to the naked eye for most photos. The main thing you lose is file size efficiency: a JPG at equivalent visual quality will be larger than the original HEIC. This is expected and generally acceptable when compatibility is the priority.

What you should avoid is converting to JPG at low quality settings, then editing and re-saving — each save degrades the image further. If you plan to edit the photo, keep the HEIC or export to PNG (lossless) for editing, then convert to JPG for the final output.

If you regularly move iPhone photos to your Mac and always need JPG, you can configure this at the system level so you never need to convert manually.

On iPhone: Go to Settings → Camera → Formats → choose Most Compatible. This makes the camera shoot in JPG instead of HEIC going forward (note: it reduces storage efficiency).

On Mac: Go to System Settings → General → AirDrop & Handoff and enable Transfer to Mac or PC. When Photos is set to "Keep Originals" in preferences, it will transfer HEIC as-is. To get automatic conversion, in the Photos app go to Preferences → iCloud and adjust import settings.

When connecting via USB: On newer macOS, plugging in an iPhone gives you the option in Image Capture or Finder to keep the format or convert to JPEG automatically.