How to Convert iPhone Photos to JPG (5 Easy Ways)

Updated October 13, 2026 · imgtez

Modern iPhones save photos in the HEIC format by default. It is an excellent format that saves a lot of storage space, but it causes headaches when you need to upload a photo to a website, attach it to a job application, send it to a Windows user, or print it at a store. The good news is that turning iPhone photos into JPG is easy once you know where to look. Here are five reliable methods, from changing one setting to converting hundreds of files at once.

First, check whether your photos are actually HEIC

Open a photo in the Photos app and swipe up, or tap the i (info) button. On recent iOS versions the info panel shows the format, such as HEIF or JPEG. Photos taken with the camera on iPhone 7 or later are usually HEIF/HEIC unless you have changed the setting. Screenshots are saved as PNG, and images saved from websites keep their original format.

Also note that iOS often converts automatically when sharing. When you attach a photo to Mail or share it to many apps, iOS may send a JPG version. Problems usually appear when files are copied directly – through AirDrop to a Mac, the Files app, cloud storage, or a USB cable without the right setting.

Method 1: Make the camera shoot JPG from now on

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Camera, then Formats.
3. Choose Most Compatible.

From now on, new photos are saved as JPG. This does not change photos you have already taken, and JPG files take noticeably more space – often close to double. Some features, such as certain high-resolution ProRAW or 48-megapixel modes on Pro models, rely on High Efficiency and may be unavailable or behave differently with Most Compatible selected. For most people, the best balance is to keep High Efficiency on and convert only when needed.

Method 2: Let the iPhone convert when transferring to a PC or Mac

1. Open Settings → Photos.
2. Scroll to Transfer to Mac or PC.
3. Select Automatic.

When you connect the iPhone by USB cable and import photos (for example with the Windows Photos app or File Explorer), iOS converts them to JPG during the transfer, while the originals on the phone stay as HEIC. If you choose Keep Originals, you get the HEIC files. This setting only affects cable transfers.

Method 3: Convert in the browser with imgtez (any device)

If you already have HEIC files – on a Windows PC, a Chromebook, a Mac, or even on the iPhone itself – a browser converter is the quickest option for batches. Open our HEIC to JPG converter and:

1. Drag and drop your HEIC files onto the drop zone, or tap it to choose files. You can select many at once.
2. Adjust the quality slider if you like (85–92% is a good default), and optionally set a maximum width to make files smaller.
3. Download each JPG individually, or click Download all (ZIP) to get them in one file.

Everything happens on your device. The photos are not uploaded to any server, so it is safe for personal pictures and documents, and the converted JPG drops location metadata. On an iPhone, tap the drop zone and pick from your photo library; Safari may already hand the page a JPG copy, which still converts correctly.

Method 4: Use the Files app on the iPhone

A built-in trick works without any extra apps:

1. Open the Photos app, select the photos, and tap Share → Copy Photos.
2. Open the Files app, go to On My iPhone (or any folder), long-press an empty area and choose Paste.

Files pasted this way are typically saved as JPG. On recent versions of iOS you can also long-press an image in Files and use Quick Actions → Convert Image to choose JPEG, PNG or HEIF and a size. Menu names can change slightly between iOS releases, so if you do not see these options, use Method 3 instead.

Method 5: Use Preview or Photos on a Mac

Macs open HEIC natively. To convert:

• In Preview, open the image, choose File → Export, select JPEG in the Format menu and set the quality. To convert many at once, open them all in Preview, select all thumbnails in the sidebar, then use Export Selected Images.
• In the Photos app, select images and choose File → Export → Export [n] Photos, then choose JPEG.
• In Finder, right-click selected images and choose Quick Actions → Convert Image.

Which method should you choose?

Tips for the best results

• Quality: 85–92% looks identical to the original for almost all uses. 100% creates very large files for no visible gain.
• Size limits: Many upload forms limit files to 1–5 MB. Setting a maximum width of 2000 pixels usually brings a photo well under 1 MB.
• Need transparency or editing? Convert to PNG with HEIC to PNG, then save the final version as JPG.
• Need a document? Turn a photo of a receipt or form into a PDF with Image to PDF.
• Live Photos: Converting keeps only the still image. Export the video separately if you want the motion.

Frequently asked questions

Will converting to JPG reduce quality?

Technically there is a small generational loss, as with any lossy-to-lossy conversion, but at a high quality setting it is not visible. The JPG will usually be larger than the HEIC.

Can I convert back from JPG to HEIC?

Yes, but there is little point: you cannot regain detail, and HEIC is less compatible. Keep your original HEIC files if storage allows.

Why does my photo look different in colour after conversion?

iPhones capture in the wide Display P3 colour space. Converters that output standard sRGB may slightly reduce the saturation of very vivid reds and greens. For everyday photos the difference is minor.

Want to understand the format itself? Read What is HEIC and how to open it on Windows, or compare formats in WebP vs JPG vs PNG.