How to open HEIC photos on Windows
You copy photos from an iPhone to your computer, double-click one, and Windows says it can't open the file. The photos end in .HEIC, and many programs, websites and older versions of Windows don't know what to do with them. Don't worry – your photos are fine. Here are three easy ways to open them, and how to avoid the problem in future.
What is a HEIC file?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the photo format iPhones use by default since iOS 11. It stores photos at about half the size of a JPG with the same quality, which saves a lot of space on your phone.
The catch is compatibility. JPG works everywhere, but HEIC support on Windows, in many apps and on upload forms is still patchy. That is why the same photo opens on your iPhone but not on your PC.
Way 1: Convert HEIC to JPG (easiest)
Converting to JPG is the quickest fix, and the result opens on any computer, phone, website or printer.
- Open our free HEIC to JPG converter.
- Drop in your .HEIC photos – up to 20 at a time.
- Download the JPG files, one by one or all together as a ZIP.
Your photos are converted inside your browser, so they are never uploaded anywhere. That matters for personal photos, and it also makes the conversion fast.
Way 2: Install the Windows extensions
Windows 10 and 11 can show HEIC photos in the Photos app once the right extensions are installed from the Microsoft Store:
- HEIF Image Extensions – free, needed to read HEIC files
- HEVC Video Extensions – needed on many computers for the image data inside HEIC; Microsoft may charge a small fee for it
Some newer computers already include these. This is a good choice if you only want to look at photos on your own PC. But the files stay HEIC, so they may still fail when you upload them to a website or send them to someone else.
Way 3: Let the iPhone send JPG instead
You can stop the problem at the source with one of these iPhone settings:
- Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible: new photos are saved as JPG instead of HEIC. Files take a bit more space on the phone.
- Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Automatic: photos stay HEIC on the iPhone, but are converted to JPG when copied to a computer with a cable.
These settings only affect new photos and transfers. For photos you already have as HEIC, use Way 1.
Which way should you choose?
- Need to send, upload or print the photos? Convert to JPG.
- Only want to look at them on your own PC? Install the extensions.
- Tired of HEIC files altogether? Change the iPhone setting, and convert the photos you already have.
After converting: make the photos smaller
iPhone photos are large, and they get larger as JPG. If you want to email them or upload them to a site with a size limit, resize them with Resize Image and then use Compress Image. Our guide on reducing image size for email explains the best settings.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting HEIC to JPG lower the quality?
Very slightly, because JPG uses lossy compression, but at high quality the difference is not visible. The JPG file will be bigger than the HEIC, which is normal.
Why are my converted photos bigger than the originals?
HEIC compresses photos about twice as efficiently as JPG. The same photo therefore takes more space as JPG. Compress it afterwards if size matters.
Can I open HEIC files on Android?
Most modern Android phones can view HEIC photos, but some apps and older phones can't. Converting to JPG is the safest choice when you share photos with others.
Are my photos uploaded when I convert them?
No. MagicPicTool converts photos inside your browser, so they never leave your device.
What about Live Photos?
A Live Photo is a still HEIC photo plus a short video. Converting it to JPG keeps the still photo only.
Try it now – free, no sign-up, and your files stay on your device.
Open HEIC to JPG