When you take photos using a newer iPhone or iPad, they are usually saved in HEIC format. See how to use them.
What is a HEIC file
HEIC or High Efficiency Image Container is an updated version of the High Efficiency Image Format. HEIC is popular in the Apple ecosystem of devices (phones, tablets and MacOS). Files use either the HEIC or HEICS format depending on how many images are contained within the file.
Advantages
- HEIC has significant benefits in space saving and superior image quality in comparison to JPEG.
Disadvantages
- HEIC files are not commonly used outside of the Apple ecosystem, so the files may need to be converted to JPG format.
- Older software may not support HEIC at all.
How to open and convert HEIC files
Depending on the software or computer you have available, you have different methods to convert HEIC images.
Change image format in the source device
You can set your iOS device (phone or tablet) to use JPEG image format. For an iPhone:
- Open the Settings app
- Swipe and tap Camera from the list
- Select Formats
- The two options are High Efficiency and Most Compatible. Choose Most Compatible. Note that this will use much more space on your device.
If you remove photos from your device frequently (or upload and store them elsewhere) then this may be the simple option.
The shortcut app on iOS devices
You can use the shortcut app on iOS devices to configure a batch conversion shortcut to change selected HEIC images on the phone into JPEG format.
- Launch the shortcuts app on your iOS device: Search for the "Shortcuts" app or open it from the homescreen by searching for the stylised "S" icon.
- Configure the shortcut: tap the Plus icon (+)
- On the search bar, search for and select "photos".
- Tap Select Photos under Actions and turn on the Select Multiple switch.
- Use the search bar again to find convert image and choose this option.
- Turn on the Preserve Metadata switch.
- Open the search bar again and type save to photo album.
- Tap Save to Photo Album under Action and hit Next.
- Name the shortcut and tap Done.
Now you can use the shortcuts to convert selected images. When done, they will be in the recent photos part of the photos app.
From there you can transfer them to your computer using Airdrop (Apple machines), Onedrive or Google Drive.
MacOS
MacOS has built in support for HEIC.
- Import the images to your computer
- Select your images in a folder.
- Right click on the selection and choose Quick actions
- Choose Convert image then follow the instructions
- This will convert and resize the images immediately and the new images will be selected. Copy them to a new folder so you don't confuse them with your original images.
Canva
You can use the online Canva tool to convert HEIC to JPG.
Unfortunately this only converts one image at a time. Alternatively you can use the editing features and work on 10 at a time.
Adobe Photoshop
You can use Photoshop to open HEIC files.