HEIC vs JPG — iPhone Photos Explained
HEIC saves space on your iPhone; JPG opens everywhere. Here is when each one makes sense.
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Format) is what modern iPhones use by default. It stores photos at about half the size of JPG with equal or better quality. The catch is compatibility: many Windows apps, websites and older devices can't open HEIC.
JPG is the universal standard that works on literally everything, which is why converting HEIC to JPG is so common when sharing iPhone photos outside the Apple ecosystem.
HEIC vs JPG at a glance
| Feature | HEIC | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| File size | ~50% smaller | Larger |
| Quality at size | Excellent | Good |
| Compatibility | Limited (Apple-first) | Universal |
| Editing support | Patchy on Windows | Everywhere |
| Web use | Not supported | Fully supported |
| Best for | On-device iPhone storage | Sharing & the web |
The verdict
Keep HEIC on your iPhone to save storage without sacrificing quality.
Convert to JPG whenever you need to share, upload, print or edit photos on non-Apple devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HEIC better quality than JPG?
HEIC generally offers equal or better quality at roughly half the file size, thanks to more modern compression.
Why won't my HEIC open on Windows?
Windows and many apps lack built-in HEIC support. Converting to JPG makes the photo open anywhere instantly.
How do I convert HEIC to JPG privately?
Use our HEIC to JPG converter — it decodes HEIC in your browser, so photos never upload to a server.