Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The practical answer: use a desktop batch converter such as XnConvert when the HEIC files are already in a folder. It accepts HEIC/HEIF files, writes JPEG files, processes batches locally, and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, according to its publisher. For a small number of images, macOS Photos or Preview can export each file as JPEG. On Windows, installing HEIF and HEVC extensions helps you open HEIC files, but that is not the same as converting an entire folder.
Choose the right method first
Your best workflow depends on where the files are and whether you need one image or hundreds.
| Situation | Best fit | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Dozens or thousands of files in an existing folder | XnConvert | Graphical, folder-based batch conversion on Windows, macOS or Linux; the vendor says processing is local and offline. |
| A few files on a Mac | Photos or Preview | Use File > Export and choose JPEG. Preview includes a JPEG quality control. |
| A Windows PC cannot open HEIC | Microsoft codec extensions | HEIF Image Extensions and, in some Photos workflows, HEVC Video Extensions provide codec support. They primarily enable viewing and importing. |
| Command-line pipeline | ImageMagick with libheif | ImageMagick lists HEIC as readable and writable when the build includes the libheif delegate. Verify your build before designing automation. |
| Photos still on an iPhone | Import settings or future-capture settings | Import behavior can convert files, while Most Compatible changes future captures; neither is a guaranteed retroactive conversion of files already stored on your computer. |
What HEIC, HEIF and JPG mean
HEIC is the common filename extension for a still image stored in the HEIF format. HEIF is separate from HEVC video, although Apple devices commonly use both technologies. Apple says HEIF and HEVC provide better compression than JPEG and H.264 while preserving the same visual quality. That efficiency is why a phone may save photos as HEIC.
JPG and JPEG are the same image format. JPEG is broadly accepted by browsers, older Windows applications, office software, print services and upload forms. Conversion changes the encoded image; it does not improve the original capture.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- It allows converting single HEIC images or HEIC image collections.
- It's completely unlimited.
- Works without an internet connection.
Bulk conversion with XnConvert
XnConvert is the clearest graphical choice for an existing batch. XnView describes support for HEIC/HEIF input, JPEG output, folder and batch processing, and Windows 10/11, macOS and Linux compatibility. The publisher also states that processing runs locally and offline and that there is no built-in file-count limit. Its stated license is free for private, educational and nonprofit use; company use requires a license.
Prepare a safe test
- Make a copy of the source folder, or plan to write JPEGs to a separate destination. Do not overwrite the only copies of your HEIC files.
- Select a representative sample: portrait and landscape images, different lighting, and any files whose orientation or metadata matters.
- Decide on a JPEG quality setting and naming pattern. The exact controls and defaults can vary by XnConvert version, so review the output rather than assuming a setting preserves every property.
Convert the folder
- Install XnConvert from the XnView publisher and open it.
- On the Input tab, add files or choose the folder containing the HEIC images. Confirm that the expected file count appears.
- Open the Output tab and set the format to JPEG/JPG. Choose a destination folder separate from the originals.
- Configure the filename pattern if you need a suffix or a new folder structure. Keep the original names when downstream systems depend on them.
- If the output panel exposes JPEG quality, choose a quality appropriate to your use, then convert the test sample.
- Open several resulting JPGs in the applications that will receive them. Check dimensions, orientation, color, filenames and any metadata your workflow requires.
- Once the sample is acceptable, run the full batch. Keep the HEIC folder until you have verified the complete output and backed it up.
“No limit” and “500+ formats,” sometimes used in XnView product descriptions, are vendor capability claims rather than independent performance measurements. Conversion speed, resulting file size and metadata behavior depend on your files and settings.
Convert HEIC to JPEG on Windows
When Windows cannot open the file
Microsoft’s Photos workflow may require both HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions. Microsoft identifies the HEIF extension as free and lists the HEVC extension at $0.99 on the cited support page; Store availability and pricing can change, so check the current listing. Installing codecs solves a viewing or import problem. It does not by itself provide a general folder-conversion workflow.
For an existing Windows library
Use XnConvert as described above when you need a repeatable batch. Add the source folder, select JPEG as the output type, choose a separate destination and verify a sample before processing the archive. If the files are on an iPhone rather than on the PC, read the import section below: transfer settings can affect whether a conversion occurs.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #2
- 🖼️ A simple app that "just works".
- 🖼️ No loss in details or image quality.
- 🖼️ No more annoying ads or confusing user interface.
- 🖼️ Convert an unlimited number of images for free at no hidden cost.
- 🖼️ Click on the Add Images button at the bottom-right corner.
Export HEIF as JPEG on macOS
Photos
- Open Photos and select the image or images you want to export.
- Choose File > Export, then choose the JPEG option in the export dialog.
- Select the destination and complete the export.
Apple’s documented route is suitable for a small number of files. The cited instructions establish image export, not a built-in, unattended folder conversion workflow.
Preview
- Open an HEIC image in Preview.
- Choose File > Export.
- Set Format to JPEG, adjust the available quality control, choose a destination and save.
For a large existing batch on a Mac, XnConvert provides the folder-oriented workflow. Avoid relying on undocumented Finder Quick Actions when you need predictable, repeatable results.
ImageMagick for command-line workflows
ImageMagick’s format documentation marks HEIC as readable and writable when the installation includes the libheif delegate. That dependency is the important qualification: two ImageMagick installations can support different formats depending on how they were built.
- Check your installed ImageMagick build’s format list and confirm HEIC appears with read and write support.
- If HEIC support is absent, install or select a build that includes libheif, following the package maintainer’s instructions for your operating system.
- Convert a small sample first, then inspect orientation, color, dimensions and metadata before automating a complete directory.
The available documentation establishes format support, but not a single verified batch command or universal installation procedure for every operating system. Do not paste an unverified command into a production archive; command syntax and delegate availability vary by version and package.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- Convert pictures in to batch mode and export jpeg, png, jpg or other image format
- Photo size converter helps to compress and resize pictures in high quality
- Jpeg converter easily converters multiple pictures in to other image format
- Share images by reducing and compressing the image sizes by maintain quality
- Choose compress level and reduce the image size to easily share pictures
iPhone and iPad: prevent or handle HEIC files
Make future camera photos JPEG
- Open Settings.
- Tap Camera, then Formats.
- Choose Most Compatible.
On supported devices, this changes future photos to JPEG and videos to H.264. It does not convert photos already saved as HEIC. Some newer devices may not expose this setting. Apple recommends HEIF/HEVC when you want their storage efficiency.
Importing from a connected device
When importing through Photos, Image Capture or a PC, the device and transfer settings can determine whether HEIF images are converted to JPEG. Apple says a Keep Originals setting prevents that conversion. Treat this as import behavior, not as a guaranteed method for files already copied to your computer.
Quality, originals and metadata
JPEG is lossy. Keep the original HEIC files until the JPG output has been checked and backed up. The sources do not establish universal behavior for metadata retention, embedded motion data, color-profile preservation, orientation handling or Live Photo components, and those results can differ by tool and setting.
- Convert a representative sample before processing an archive.
- Compare pixel dimensions and inspect images at 100% zoom for blocking or ringing.
- Check portrait orientation and color in the applications that will use the JPGs.
- Confirm whether dates, GPS data, camera information and other metadata survived if they matter to your workflow.
- Keep a mapping between original and converted filenames when an external catalog references the HEIC names.
Troubleshooting common failures
The converter reports an unsupported HEIC
The file may use a codec your build does not include. Try XnConvert, or verify that ImageMagick has libheif support. On Windows, install the required Microsoft extensions if the immediate problem is opening the file.
Rank #4
- Convert as many .heic/.heif files as required in one go
- Instant conversion
- Use your HEIC images on other platforms
Only one image converted
Check that you added the folder or selected all files on the input step rather than opening a single item. Confirm that HEIC and HEIF extensions are included in the input filter.
The output overwrote the source
Stop the job, restore from backup if needed, and configure a separate output directory. Always run a sample with a non-destructive destination first.
JPGs look different
JPEG compression, color management and the source image profile can change appearance. Raise the quality setting where available, inspect a sample in a color-managed viewer and retain the HEIC originals for archival use.
Orientation or metadata is missing
Do not assume every converter preserves every metadata field. Compare the source and output with the metadata viewer used by your organization, and choose a tool or setting that meets that requirement before converting the full archive.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Best Value
- HEIC image to JPEG converter
- HEIF image to JPEG converter
- AVIF image to JPEG converter
- JPEG image to HEIC/HEIF/AVIF converter
- heic image to png converter
The phone still creates HEIC files
Most Compatible affects future captures only and may not be offered on every device. Existing HEIC files require export, import conversion or a desktop batch tool.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API, not a local HEIC-to-JPG converter. If your actual task is capturing web pages as image files, one GET request returns a PNG, JPEG or WebP and can remove cookie banners, newsletter popups and chat widgets before capture. Bot checks, blank pages and failed loads are not billed, and each response identifies the page verdict and billing status. Its MCP server lets Claude, Cursor and other MCP clients call take_screenshot, get_page_info and capture_pdf.
See the ScreenshotNeo website and API documentation for the current parameters. Example cURL request:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpPython:
import requests
r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"}, timeout=90)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)Node.js:
const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);ScreenshotNeo includes 1,000 screenshots per month free with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Create a free ScreenshotNeo account if you need webpage captures rather than local photo conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HEIC the same as HEVC?
No. HEIC is commonly used for HEIF still images; HEVC is a video codec that devices may use alongside it.
Will changing iPhone to Most Compatible convert my old photos?
No. The setting affects future captures. Existing HEIC files still need export, import conversion or a desktop converter.
Can I delete the HEIC originals after conversion?
Only after checking the JPGs, confirming required metadata and keeping a backup. JPEG is lossy and may not retain every HEIC property.
The Bottom Line
For a folder of existing HEIC files, use a local batch tool such as XnConvert, test a representative sample, write JPGs to a separate folder and keep the originals. Use Photos or Preview for occasional Mac exports, and treat Windows codecs or iPhone settings as compatibility and import controls rather than universal bulk converters.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
