iPhones save photos as HEIC by default, a format that many Windows PCs, older software, and web upload portals don't support natively. This causes the photo to fail to open or upload, even though it displays fine on the iPhone itself. The fix is to convert the HEIC file to a universally supported format like JPG or PNG before trying to open or upload it elsewhere. Simply renaming the file extension doesn't work - the underlying format needs to actually be converted.
Check your own exact figures with the HEIC to JPG Converter - free, in under a minute, no sign-up required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my iPhone to stop saving photos as HEIC?
Yes - iPhone camera settings allow switching to 'Most Compatible' mode, which saves new photos as JPG going forward.
Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce photo quality?
The conversion itself generally preserves quality well.
Do all newer computers struggle with HEIC files?
Many newer operating systems and software versions do support HEIC directly - the issue is more common with older software.
Is PNG ever a better choice than JPG when converting HEIC?
JPG is generally the safer, more universally compatible default choice unless the specific use case needs PNG's features.
How do I convert a HEIC file quickly?
Use the HEIC to JPG converter, which handles the conversion directly in your browser.