You transferred photos from your iPhone to your Windows PC. You double-click one and get an error: "Windows cannot open this file" or "You'll need a new app to open this .heic file."
Your photos aren't broken. Windows just doesn't understand Apple's default format.
What Is HEIC?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default photo format on iPhones since iOS 11. Apple switched because HEIC files are roughly half the size of JPEG at the same visual quality — your phone stores twice as many photos in the same space.
HEIC uses HEVC (H.265) compression, the same technology behind high-efficiency video. It's genuinely better than JPEG for most photos.
The catch: Windows, older Android phones, and many websites don't support it out of the box.
Why Windows Struggles
Microsoft added HEIC support in Windows 10 and 11, but it requires an optional codec from the Microsoft Store — and it's not installed by default. Many users never know it exists.
Without that codec, .heic files are invisible to File Explorer previews, Paint, and most apps.
Your Options
Option 1: Install the HEIC Codec (Windows)
Search the Microsoft Store for "HEIF Image Extensions" (free) and "HEVC Video Extensions" (a paid item, around $0.99). Install both. After that, Windows can open and preview HEIC files natively.
Downside: HEVC Video Extensions isn't free, and you're installing Microsoft codecs; some users prefer not to.
Option 2: Change iPhone Settings to Shoot JPEG
On your iPhone: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. New photos will be JPEG. Existing HEIC photos stay HEIC.
Downside: larger file sizes on your phone going forward.
Option 3: Convert HEIC to JPEG
Convert your existing HEIC files to JPEG (or PNG) so they work everywhere — email, websites, older software, printing services.
You can convert one photo or batch-convert hundreds.
Converting Privately
Most "convert HEIC" websites ask you to upload your photos. Your personal pictures — family, home, documents you photographed — probably shouldn't go to a random server.
Browser-based conversion loads your photos into memory on your device, converts them locally, and lets you download the results. Nothing is uploaded.
JPEG vs PNG for Conversion
- JPEG — smaller files, universal support. Best for photos.
- PNG — lossless, larger files. Best if you need perfect quality or transparency (rare for phone photos).
For everyday iPhone photos, JPEG is the right choice.
Try It Yourself
Convert HEIC to JPEG or PNG with our free Image Converter — including dedicated HEIC to JPEG and HEIC to PNG pages. Batch convert, download as ZIP. All processing happens in your browser.
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