Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac: 5 Easy Methods (2025 Guide)

What is HEIC and Why Does Apple Use It?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is a modern image format that Apple adopted as the default for iPhone photos starting with iOS 11 in 2017. It's based on the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) standard developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG).

Why Apple Chose HEIC

Apple switched from JPEG to HEIC for several compelling reasons:

• 50% smaller file sizes — HEIC files are roughly half the size of equivalent JPEG files at the same quality. This saves significant storage space on your iPhone.
• Better quality at the same size — At equivalent file sizes, HEIC preserves more detail and has fewer compression artifacts than JPEG.
• 16-bit color depth — HEIC supports 16-bit color (65,536 shades per channel) compared to JPEG's 8-bit (256 shades). This means smoother gradients and more accurate colors.
• Advanced features — HEIC supports transparency, image sequences (Live Photos), depth maps, and multiple images in a single file.
• Computational photography — Modern iPhone features like Portrait Mode depth data and Smart HDR are stored efficiently in HEIC.

The Compatibility Problem

While HEIC is technically superior, it has one major drawback: compatibility. Many devices, applications, and services don't support HEIC:

• Older Windows versions (Windows 10 pre-2018 updates)
• Many web browsers for upload forms
• Older image editing software
• Some social media platforms
• Email clients that can't preview HEIC attachments
• Many printing services

This is why you often need to convert HEIC to the universally-supported JPEG format.

Why Convert HEIC to JPG?

Here are the most common reasons you might need to convert HEIC files to JPG:

1. Sharing with Non-Apple Users

When you share photos with friends or colleagues using Windows or Android devices, HEIC files may not open properly. Converting to JPG ensures everyone can view your photos.

2. Uploading to Websites

Many websites, especially older ones or those with basic upload forms, don't accept HEIC files. Job applications, government forms, and e-commerce sites often require JPG or PNG.

3. Using with Older Software

Professional software like older versions of Photoshop, Lightroom, or specialized industry applications may not support HEIC. Converting ensures compatibility.

4. Printing Services

Many photo printing services only accept JPG, PNG, or TIFF files. You'll need to convert before ordering prints.

5. Archival Purposes

Some users prefer JPG for long-term archival because it's a more established format with guaranteed future compatibility.

6. Reducing Complexity

Having all your photos in one universal format simplifies organization and reduces confusion about file compatibility.

Method 1: Using Preview (Built-in, Free)

The simplest way to convert a single HEIC file to JPG on Mac is using the built-in Preview app. This method requires no additional software.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the HEIC file in Preview — Double-click the file, or right-click and choose "Open With" > "Preview"
2. Access the Export menu — Click "File" in the menu bar, then select "Export..."
3. Choose JPEG format — In the Format dropdown, select "JPEG"
4. Adjust quality (optional) — Use the Quality slider to balance file size vs. quality. 80-90% is recommended for most uses.
5. Save the file — Choose a destination and click "Save"

Pros

• Free, built into macOS
• No software installation needed
• Quality control with slider

Cons

• One file at a time — tedious for multiple files
• No batch processing
• Manual, repetitive process

Best for: Converting 1-5 files occasionally.

Method 2: Using Photos App Export

If your HEIC photos are in the Photos app (synced from iPhone via iCloud), you can export them as JPG directly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open Photos app — Find and select the photos you want to convert
2. Select multiple photos — Hold Command (⌘) and click to select multiple, or Command+A for all
3. Export — Go to File > Export > Export [X] Photos...
4. Choose settings — Set Photo Kind to "JPEG" and choose your quality
5. Select destination — Choose where to save and click "Export"

Pros

• Can export multiple photos at once
• Maintains photo organization
• Quality and size options

Cons

• Only works for photos in the Photos app
• Photos must be downloaded from iCloud first
• Limited control over compression

Best for: Converting photos that are already in your Photos library.

Method 3: Using Quick Actions in Finder

macOS Monterey and later includes a built-in Quick Action for image conversion right in Finder.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select HEIC files in Finder — Click one file or Command-click to select multiple
2. Right-click — Open the context menu
3. Quick Actions — Hover over "Quick Actions" in the menu
4. Convert Image — Click "Convert Image"
5. Choose format — Select JPEG, choose size, and click "Convert to JPEG"

Pros

• Built into macOS, no installation
• Works directly in Finder
• Can convert multiple files at once

Cons

• Limited quality control
• Only available in macOS Monterey and later
• Basic size options only (small, medium, large, actual)

Best for: Quick conversions when you need universal compatibility more than quality control.

Method 4: Using ImageTools (Best for Batch Conversion)

For converting many HEIC files with full control over quality and the ability to compress while converting, a dedicated app like ImageTools is the most efficient solution.

Why ImageTools is Best for HEIC Conversion

• True batch processing — Drag and drop hundreds of files at once
• Compress while converting — Reduce file sizes further during conversion
• Quality preview — See before/after comparison
• Multiple output formats — Convert to JPG, PNG, or TIFF
• 100% local — Files never leave your Mac

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open ImageTools
2. Drag and drop HEIC files — Select all files in Finder and drag them into ImageTools
3. Choose output format — Select JPEG as the output format
4. Choose compression mode — Lossless for maximum quality, Optimal for good balance, Extreme for smallest files
5. Click Convert/Compress — All files are processed simultaneously

Bonus: Compress While Converting

HEIC files from iPhone are typically 1-3MB each. When converting to JPG with ImageTools' Optimal mode, you can often get the same visual quality at 500KB-1MB — saving even more space than the original HEIC.

Pros

• Fastest method for many files
• Full quality control
• Can compress during conversion
• Before/after preview
• 100% private, local processing

Cons

• Requires app installation
• Free trial limited to 30 operations (then $9.99)

Best for: Converting large numbers of HEIC files, or when you want to compress photos during conversion.

Method 5: Using Automator for Automation

For users comfortable with macOS Automator, you can create a custom workflow for automated HEIC to JPG conversion.

Creating an Automator Quick Action

1. Open Automator — Find it in Applications
2. Choose Quick Action — Select "Quick Action" as the document type
3. Configure workflow — Set "Workflow receives current" to "image files" in "Finder"
4. Add action — Search for "Change Type of Images" and drag it to the workflow
5. Select JPEG — Choose JPEG as the output type
6. Save — Save the workflow with a descriptive name like "Convert to JPG"

Now you can right-click any HEIC file in Finder, go to Quick Actions, and select your custom conversion action.

Pros

• Free, built into macOS
• Customizable workflow
• Can be integrated with other automations

Cons

• Requires technical setup
• Limited quality control
• No compression options
• Replaces originals by default (need to add copy step)

Best for: Tech-savvy users who want a custom automated solution.

Method Comparison: Which Should You Use?

Our Recommendation

• For occasional single files: Use Preview — it's simple and built-in
• For photos in your library: Use Photos App export
• For many files or regular conversion: Use ImageTools — the batch processing and compression features save significant time

How to Prevent HEIC in the First Place

If you'd rather not deal with HEIC conversion at all, you can configure your iPhone to shoot in JPEG instead.

On iPhone: Capture in JPEG

1. Open Settings
2. Scroll down and tap Camera
3. Tap Formats
4. Select Most Compatible (instead of High Efficiency)

Trade-off: Your photos will take roughly twice as much storage space on your iPhone, and you'll lose some quality benefits of HEIC.

On iPhone: Auto-Convert When Transferring

You can also keep shooting in HEIC but have iPhone automatically convert to JPG when transferring:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Photos
3. Under "Transfer to Mac or PC", select Automatic

With this setting, photos transferred via cable or AirDrop will be automatically converted to JPG for compatibility.

Conclusion

Converting HEIC to JPG on Mac is straightforward with multiple methods available. For occasional single files, Preview works fine. For batch conversion or when you want to compress photos during conversion, ImageTools offers the most efficient workflow.

The key points to remember:

• HEIC is Apple's efficient format — smaller files, better quality than JPEG
• Convert to JPG for universal compatibility
• Built-in Mac tools work for occasional conversions
• Dedicated apps are faster for batch processing
• You can prevent HEIC by changing iPhone settings, but you'll lose storage efficiency