Answered! Why Are My iPhone Photos HEIC & How to Convert

Are you puzzled by the strange ".HEIC" file extensions on your iPhone photos? You're not alone! Many iPhone users find themselves scratching their heads over this unfamiliar format.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll uncover the mystery behind why iPhone photos are in HEIC format, and we'll explore simple methods to convert HEIC files to more widely compatible formats like JPG or PNG.

Part 1. Why Are My iPhone Photos HEIC?

What is HEIC? HEIC, short for High-Efficiency Image Format, is the default image format used by iPhones running iOS 11 and later. But why did Apple make the switch from the more familiar JPG format?

The primary reason lies in HEIC's superior compression capabilities. HEIC files can store the same level of image quality as JPG files but at a much smaller file size. This means you can capture and store more photos on your iPhone without taking up as much storage space.

However, the downside to using HEIC is its limited compatibility with non-Apple devices and platforms. If you're trying to share your iPhone photos with friends or family who use devices other than iPhones, they may encounter issues opening HEIC files. That's where conversion comes in handy.

Part 2. How to Turn Off HEIC on iPhone

If you prefer to stick with more universally compatible image formats like JPG, you can easily turn off HEIC on your iPhone, so that you can take photos in JPG format in the future. Here’s how to disable HEIC feature on iPhone.

Step 1. Go to the Settings app on iPhone > Scroll down to location and choose Camera.

Step 2. Tap Formats > Select Most Compatible if you want to keep iPhone images as JPG files.

Part 3. How to Convert HEIC to JPG/JPEG/PNG

If you've already captured photos in HEIC format and need to convert them to more widely compatible formats like JPG, JPEG, or PNG, fret not! There are several methods available to convert HEIC files on your iPhone or computer. And we highly recommend you FoneTool.

Steps to Convert HEIC to JPG/JPEG/PNG via FoneTool
To convert previous HEIC photos on your iPhone, you need to transfer photos from iPhone to PC first. Don’t worry, FoneTool’s Phone Transfer function gets you covered. Free download FoneTool to your computer, and follow the simple steps below to convert HEIC photos.

Step 1. Transfer HEIC from iPhone to Computer
• Connect your iPhone to PC > Launch FoneTool, and click Phone Transfer > Go to iPhone to PC, and click Start Transfer.

• Click Photos > Choose the HEIC photos you’d like to convert > Click OK.

• Choose a destination to save the photos > Click Start Transfer to make it.

Step 2. Batch Convert HEIC to JPG Without Losing Quality
• Now, you can unplug your iPhone > In FoneTool, go to Toolbox, and select HEIC Converter.

• Click Add Photos to open your HEIC images > In the Photo Format box, choose a photo format as per your need > Adjust the other settings, and click Start Converting to get converted files.

💡 If you need to save these converted photos back to your iPhone or other iOS devices, you can try PC to iPhone function to transfer photos from computer to iPhone.

💡 While after transferring, your iPhone may be full of duplicate photos, just try Photos Deduplication to auto-delete duplicate photos with no effort.

Conclusion

While HEIC offers superior compression and image quality, its compatibility limitations may pose challenges when sharing photos with non-Apple users. Fortunately, by understanding why iPhone photos are in HEIC format and utilizing simple conversion methods, you can ensure that your photos remain accessible and compatible across all devices.

Whether you choose to turn off HEIC on your iPhone or convert existing HEIC files to JPG, JPEG, or PNG, these methods empower you to take control of your photo library and share memories with ease.