Convert JPEG to PNG on Mac
Select the JPEG files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose PNG and press Return. FileFlip saves each PNG next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert JPEG to PNG with FileFlip
Select the JPEG 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 JPEG. Type “PNG” to jump to it.
Choose PNG and press Return
The PNG files appear next to the originals with the same names. The JPEG files stay as they are.
JPEG and PNG
JPEG is lossy and has no transparency, so it’s a poor fit for graphics, screenshots or files you’ll keep editing. PNG keeps every pixel and supports transparency, which is what you want for screenshots, graphics and further editing.
What changes when you convert
- PNG is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that JPEG compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
| Property | JPEG | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joint Photographic Experts Group | Portable Network Graphics |
| Made by | Joint Photographic Experts Group | PNG Development Group |
| Introduced | 1992 | 1996 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Transparency | No | Yes |
| Best for | Photos you want to send, upload or print anywhere | Screenshots, logos, graphics and images with text or transparency |
| Opens in | Every computer, phone, browser and photo app | Everywhere, including every web browser |
| File extension | .jpg, .jpeg | .png |
| 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 JPEG in Preview, choose File → Export, pick PNG 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 PNG.
Good for pictures already in your library.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format png photo.jpg \
--out photo.pngBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about JPEG and PNG
Does converting JPEG to PNG lose quality?
PNG is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that JPEG compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
Can I convert many JPEG files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose PNG. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the PNG file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .png extension. The JPEG file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert PNG back to JPEG?
Yes, FileFlip converts PNG to JPEG 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