Convert HEIC to JPEG on Mac
Select the HEIC files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose JPEG and press Return. FileFlip saves each JPEG next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert HEIC to JPEG 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 “JPEG” to jump to it.
Choose JPEG and press Return
The JPEG files appear next to the originals. To make them smaller first, press ⇥ and lower the quality or size.
HEIC and JPEG
iPhones save photos as HEIC to save space, but many websites, Windows PCs and older apps still can’t open it. JPEG opens everywhere, from email and websites to Windows PCs and photo printing services.
What changes when you convert
- Both formats are lossy, so converting compresses the image again and loses a little more detail. Start from the best original you have.
| Property | HEIC | JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | High Efficiency Image File Format | Joint Photographic Experts Group |
| Made by | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) | Joint Photographic Experts Group |
| Introduced | 2015 | 1992 |
| Compression | Lossy (HEVC) | Lossy |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| Best for | Storing photos on Apple devices | Photos you want to send, upload or print anywhere |
| Opens in | Apple devices; Windows needs the HEIF and HEVC extensions; many websites don’t accept it | Every computer, phone, browser and photo app |
| File extension | .heic, .heif | .jpg, .jpeg |
| 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 JPEG from the Format menu and click Save. 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.
Photos
If the pictures are in your Photos library, select them, choose File → Export → Export Photos and set Photo Kind to JPEG.
Good for pictures already in your library.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format jpeg IMG_4021.heic \
--out IMG_4021.jpgBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about HEIC and JPEG
Does converting HEIC to JPEG lose quality?
Both formats are lossy, so converting compresses the image again and loses a little more detail. Start from the best original you have.
Can I convert many HEIC files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose JPEG. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Will the JPEG keep the date, camera and location?
Yes, metadata is copied by default. Turn on “Remove location” in the options before you share photos publicly.
Where is the JPEG file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .jpg extension. The HEIC file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert JPEG back to HEIC?
Yes, FileFlip converts JPEG 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