Convert HEIC to BMP on Mac
Select the HEIC files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose BMP and press Return. FileFlip saves each BMP next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert HEIC to BMP with FileFlip
Select the HEIC files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from HEIC. Type “BMP” to jump to it.
Choose BMP and press Return
The BMP files appear next to the originals with the same names. The HEIC files stay as they are.
HEIC and BMP
iPhones save photos as HEIC to save space, but many websites, Windows PCs and older apps still can’t open it. Some older Windows software and hardware only accept BMP.
What changes when you convert
- BMP is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that HEIC compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
| Property | HEIC | BMP |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | High Efficiency Image File Format | Bitmap image |
| Made by | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) | Microsoft |
| Compression | Lossy (HEVC) | Usually uncompressed |
| Best for | Storing photos on Apple devices | Older software that requires it |
| Opens in | Apple devices; Windows needs the HEIF and HEVC extensions; many websites don’t accept it | Windows and most image editors |
| File extension | .heic, .heif | .bmp |
| In FileFlip | Opens and saves | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
Preview
Open the HEIC in Preview, choose File → Export, pick Microsoft BMP from the Format menu and click Save. If Microsoft BMP isn’t listed, hold Option while you click the Format menu. For several files, open them together, select all thumbnails in the sidebar and choose File → Export Selected Images.
Good for a few files now and then.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format bmp IMG_4021.heic \
--out IMG_4021.bmpBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about HEIC and BMP
Does converting HEIC to BMP lose quality?
BMP is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that HEIC compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
Can I convert many HEIC files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose BMP. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the BMP file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .bmp extension. The HEIC file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert BMP back to HEIC?
Yes, FileFlip converts BMP to HEIC as well.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a whole folder of images at once
FileFlip also handles video, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac