How to Convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone
To get JPG photos from an iPhone, set Settings › Camera › Formats to Most Compatible for new photos, or convert existing ones. File Acture's Convert Images turns HEIC photos picked from Photos or Files into JPG (or PNG, WebP) in one batch on the iPhone, with the quality you choose and the location removed unless you keep it.
Updated October 31, 20264 min read
By the File Acture team
iPhones save photos as HEIC because it's about half the size of JPG for the same quality. But a website form, an older Windows PC or a print shop may refuse it. Here is how to stop the iPhone from making HEIC, the built-in ways to convert photos you already have, and how to do a whole batch at once.
How to make your iPhone take JPG photos
Go to Settings › Camera › Formats and choose Most Compatible. From then on the camera saves photos as JPG. Photos you took before stay HEIC, and JPG files take more space in your library.
If HEIC only bothers you when you copy photos to a computer, Settings › Apps › Photos › Transfer to Mac or PC › Automatic makes the iPhone hand over JPG copies when it is connected by cable.
How to convert HEIC photos you already have
Photos you send by Mail are usually converted to JPG on the way, and the Files app can convert an image you save there. Both work for one or two photos; neither lets you pick the quality or remove the location for a batch.
For a batch, open Convert Images in File Acture and tap Add from Photos. Select the photos, then under Format choose JPEG and set Quality; 85 is the default and keeps photos looking as they were. Tap Convert.
The JPG files go to the Files app, in On My iPhone › File Acture › Images. Tap Share All to send them, save them to Photos or upload them, all from one share sheet.
Does converting HEIC to JPG keep the location?
Not unless you ask for it. Keep metadata is off by default, so the JPG files carry no location or camera details; the app notes that metadata includes camera details and location. Color profiles are always kept, so colors don't shift.
That matters before posting photos of your home or your children: the location in a photo can point to an exact address.
JPG, PNG or WebP?
Pick the format the place you send it to expects.
- JPEG: opens everywhere and suits photos. Choose it when in doubt.
- PNG: lossless and larger; useful for screenshots and graphics, rarely for photos.
- WebP: smaller than JPG at the same quality, for websites that accept it.
- Too large to upload? If the form also limits the size, use Compress Images, which can bring each photo under a set size such as 500 KB.
Is it safe to convert HEIC online?
Online converters receive your photos with their location and camera details. File Acture converts on the iPhone, so photos never leave it; the free version converts up to 5 photos per run, 5 runs a day, and Pro removes the limits.
How to convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone with File Acture
- 1
Open the tool
Open File Acture and tap Convert Images.
- 2
Add the photos
Tap Add from Photos and select the HEIC photos, or Add from Files for photos saved in Files.
- 3
Choose JPEG
Under Format, choose JPEG and set Quality.
- 4
Decide on metadata
Leave Keep metadata off to remove location and camera details.
- 5
Convert and share
Tap Convert, then Share All to send or save the JPG files.
Convert HEIC photos to JPG in one batch, right on your iPhone.
Free to try · on iPhone and iPad
| Method | Existing photos | Many at once | Choose quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camera › Formats › Most Compatible | No, new photos only | Yes, all new photos | No |
| Transfer to Mac or PC › Automatic | Yes, when copied by cable | Yes | No |
| Sending by Mail | Yes | A few | No |
| File Acture Convert Images | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Questions
How do I change HEIC to JPG on my iPhone?
For new photos, choose Settings › Camera › Formats › Most Compatible. For photos you already have, use File Acture: Convert Images, Add from Photos, Format JPEG, Convert.
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
JPG is a lossy format, but at the default quality of 85 the difference is hard to see. Raise Quality if the photos are going to print.
Are my original HEIC photos deleted?
No. The originals stay in Photos; File Acture writes new JPG files in the Files app.
Can I convert HEIC to PNG instead?
Yes. Choose PNG under Format. PNG files are much larger than JPG, so use them only when you need lossless images.
Does it work without an internet connection?
The conversion runs on the iPhone. The free version needs a connection to count its daily runs; Pro works fully offline.