iPhone HEIC Guide: Turn Off HEIC & Save as JPG

Last updated: January 10, 2026

iPhone saves photos as HEIC by default. This guide shows how to turn off HEIC on iPhone, save new photos as JPG or JPEG, convert existing shots on your phone, and what to expect when you move files to a Windows PC or Mac.

iPhone Camera HEIC Settings

On iPhone running iOS 11 or later, photos are saved in HEIC format by default. Using HEIC format allows you to save storage space while maintaining high image quality.

If you need JPG or JPEG for sharing, printing, or PC compatibility, you can turn off HEIC and save photos in the Most Compatible format instead.

How to Turn Off HEIC on iPhone (Save as JPG)

1 Open the Settings app
2 Tap 'Camera'
3 Select 'Formats'
4 Select 'Most Compatible' (new photos save as JPG/JPEG instead of HEIC)

How to Save HEIC as JPG on iPhone

Method 1: Convert a photo on iPhone (iOS 13 or later)

On iOS 13 or later, you can export a single HEIC photo as JPEG from the Photos app.

1 Open the photo you want to convert in the Photos app
2 Tap the 'Share' button
3 Select 'Format'
4 Select 'JPEG' to convert

Method 2: Use an online HEIC to JPG converter

Open HEIC.Best in Safari on your iPhone, upload HEIC files, and download JPG copies—handy when you already have HEIC photos and do not want to change camera settings.

Transferring Photos from iPhone to PC

When transferring photos from iPhone to Windows PC, there are several methods. If you use iCloud Photos, the Windows iCloud Photos app will automatically convert HEIC to JPG when downloading.

When transferring directly via USB cable, HEIC files are transferred as-is, so you'll need to install extensions or convert them for viewing on PC.

When transferring to Mac using AirDrop, HEIC format files can be viewed and used without any issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I turn off HEIC on iPhone?

Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos save as JPG (JPEG) instead of HEIC.

How do I save HEIC as JPG on iPhone?

Either turn on Most Compatible in Camera settings so new shots save as JPG, or open an existing HEIC photo, tap Share > Format > JPEG, or use our free HEIC to JPG converter in Safari.

How do I change HEIC to JPG on iPhone?

For future photos, use Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible. For photos already on your phone, share as JPEG from Photos or convert them online.

Are photos automatically converted when transferring from iPhone to PC?

If you use iCloud Photos, they are automatically converted to JPG, but direct transfer via USB cable does not convert them.

Summary

You can turn off HEIC on iPhone in a few taps, save HEIC as JPG from the Photos app, or batch-convert files after moving them to a PC. For quick browser conversion, use our free HEIC to JPG tool.

Ready to Convert Your HEIC Files?

Using HEIC.Best's free online conversion tool, you can easily convert HEIC files transferred from iPhone to JPG or JPEG.

Start Converting Now