HEIC vs JPG – iPhone Photo Formats Compared
Apple switched iPhones to HEIC by default in 2017 to halve photo file sizes. The trade-off is compatibility — HEIC doesn't open everywhere. Here's when it matters and when to convert.
Format comparison
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | ~50% smaller than JPG at same quality | Industry standard lossy |
| Quality | Better at same file size | Good, widely tested |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| iPhone storage use | Half of JPG | Double of HEIC |
| Windows support | Requires codec install | Universal |
| Android support | Limited | Universal |
| Web upload support | Often rejected | Universal |
| Email clients | Often shows as attachment | Inline preview |
When HEIC is a problem
- Uploading to websites that reject HEIC (government portals, e-commerce, job applications)
- Sending to Android or Windows users who can't open it
- Editing in software that doesn't support HEIC (older Photoshop, most online editors)
- Sharing via platforms that don't auto-convert (some email clients show a download icon instead of an image preview)
Should you turn off HEIC on your iPhone?
Only if compatibility issues are frequent. Go to Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible to switch to JPG. You'll use roughly twice the storage but photos will open anywhere without conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
At 85–95% JPG quality the difference is imperceptible. Lower settings save more space but soften fine detail.
Can I batch-convert HEIC photos?
Yes — Irreva's HEIC to JPG tool supports multiple files and downloads as ZIP.
Does macOS support HEIC natively?
Yes. macOS and iOS open HEIC natively. The problem is mainly Windows, Android, and web compatibility.