iPhone and iPad guide
How to convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone
Convert iPhone photos to JPG on the phone itself — no computer, no cable, no desktop software.
Quick answer: for photos you already have, open the HEIC Glide converter in Safari, select the photos, and save the JPGs. To stop future photos being HEIC, go to Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible.
Convert your HEIC photos to JPG now
Open the HEIC to JPG converterFree, no signup. Processing happens in your browser.Method 1: Browser converter in Safari (batch, nothing to install)
- Open the converter in Safari. Tap the button above, or type the address in Safari on the iPhone.
- Choose your photos. Tap the file picker and select one or several photos from your library. Multiple files are supported.
- Download the JPGs. When a conversion finishes, tap Download. Files are saved to the Downloads folder in the Files app, from where you can move them into Photos or share them.
This is the only method that converts several photos at once without installing an app, and it works the same way on iPad.
Method 2: Change the camera setting for future photos
- Open Settings.
- Tap Camera, then Formats.
- Select Most Compatible. New photos are captured as JPG instead of HEIC.
Important: this affects new photos only. Every HEIC photo already in your library stays HEIC until you convert it, and Most Compatible uses slightly more storage for the same picture.
Method 3: Share sheet tricks that already produce JPG
- Email a photo. When you attach a photo to a new Mail message, iOS exports it as a JPEG automatically. This is the simplest way to get a JPG to someone else, though it does not save a JPG on your phone.
- Messages and most social apps. Photos are re-encoded when you send them, so the recipient receives a JPG — at the cost of some compression and, usually, the metadata.
- Copy and paste. Copying a photo and pasting it into an app such as Notes or Mail pastes a JPEG rendition.
Method 4: AirDrop and file transfer settings
When you transfer photos to a Mac or PC, iOS decides the format from Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC:
| Setting | What you get |
|---|---|
| Automatic | Photos are converted to JPEG when the destination is likely to need it (the usual choice for Windows PCs) |
| Keep Originals | Transfers the HEIC file unchanged |
If you regularly import into Windows, set this to Automatic, or use Import in the Windows Photos app and let it convert.
Method 5: Shortcuts app (automate on the phone)
- Open Shortcuts and create a new shortcut.
- Add "Select Photos", then add the "Convert Image" action and set the format to JPEG.
- Add "Save to Photo Album" or "Save File" to store the result.
- Run it from the Shortcuts app or add it to the Home Screen.
Shortcuts is worth the five minutes if you convert photos often: build it once and it becomes a one-tap button.
Method 6: Screenshot (last resort only)
Taking a screenshot of a photo produces a PNG or JPG, but it captures only the resolution shown on screen, drops the metadata and often changes the colour. Use it only when nothing else is available.
Which method should you use?
| What you need | Best method |
|---|---|
| Convert a few photos now | Browser converter in Safari |
| Stop future photos being HEIC | Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible |
| Send one photo to someone who needs JPG | Attach it in Mail |
| Transfer a batch to a Windows PC | Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Automatic |
| Convert regularly | Build a Shortcut |
Why iPhone photos are HEIC in the first place
Apple stores photos in HEIF/HEIC because it holds high quality in less space. That saves storage on the phone and in iCloud, but it creates a compatibility problem the moment a photo leaves the Apple ecosystem — Windows PCs, web upload forms and older software frequently expect JPG. The full explanation is in why iPhone photos are HEIC.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone without a computer?
Open a browser-based converter in Safari, select your photos and download the JPGs, or build a Shortcut using the Convert Image action. Neither needs a computer.
Can I convert HEIC to JPG in the Photos app?
Not directly. Photos can export or share photos, and iOS re-encodes them to JPEG in some share flows, but there is no "convert to JPG" button inside the Photos app itself.
Does Most Compatible convert my existing photos?
No. It only changes how new photos are captured. Photos you have already taken stay in HEIC until you convert them.
Where do downloaded JPGs go on an iPhone?
Into the Downloads folder in the Files app. Open Files, then move or share them, or save them into Photos.
Does converting on the phone reduce quality?
JPEG is a lossy format, so there is a small amount of compression. At a high quality setting it is not visible in normal photos. Always keep the original HEIC file.
Are my photos uploaded when I use a browser converter?
The HEIC Glide converter is designed to process the files inside your browser rather than uploading them to a server. For sensitive photos, still use a trusted device with an updated browser.
Can I convert HEIC to JPG on iPad the same way?
Yes. Safari on iPadOS runs the same converter, and the Camera format setting and Shortcuts methods work identically.