Mac guide

How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac

If you have HEIC photos from an iPhone, you can easily convert HEIC to JPG on Mac using Preview, Photos app, batch export, or an online converter.

The fastest way is to open the HEIC file in Preview, choose File, Export, select JPEG, and save a JPG copy.

Mac can open most HEIC files natively, but many websites, older apps, printers, and people you share files with still expect JPG or JPEG. Convert a copy when compatibility matters and keep the original HEIC in your library.

Convert HEIC to JPG online privately

No upload needed. Files are processed on your device.

Preview export

IMG_1042.HEICiPhone photo
IMG_1042.JPGJPEG copy

File, Export, Format: JPEG

Quick answer

The easiest way to change HEIC to JPG on Mac

  1. 1

    Open in Preview

    Double-click a HEIC file, or right-click and choose Open With, Preview.

  2. 2

    Export as JPEG

    Choose File, Export, then set Format to JPEG and pick a quality level.

  3. 3

    Save the JPG copy

    Save the exported file with a .jpg extension and use it anywhere JPG is accepted.

Preview vs Photos vs Automator vs online converter

Method Best for Use when
Preview One file or a small selection You have HEIC files in Finder and want a built-in Mac export.
Photos Images already in your photo library You want JPEG copies while keeping originals inside Photos.
Automator Repeat batch jobs You often convert folders of HEIC photos from Finder.
Private online converter Browser-based conversion Preview is inconvenient or you want to convert HEIC to JPG online privately.

Method 1

Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac Using Preview

Preview is the simplest built-in option for HEIC to JPG on Mac. It works well when you only need to convert one photo or a small set of iPhone photos.

These steps work on recent macOS versions that can open HEIC files in Preview and Photos. If an older Mac cannot open the file, install available macOS updates or use the browser converter below.

  1. Open the HEIC image with Preview

    Double-click the file in Finder. If another app opens, right-click the file and choose Open With, Preview.

  2. Choose File, Export

    Use Export, not Save, so your original HEIC photo stays unchanged.

  3. Select JPEG format

    In the Format menu, choose JPEG. If the format options are hidden, hold the Option key while opening the menu.

  4. Choose quality and save

    Move the quality slider, choose a folder, and save the new JPG file.

Method 2

Convert HEIC Photos to JPG Using Photos App

Photos is useful when your iPhone pictures are already in the Mac Photos library. It lets you export HEIC photos as JPEG without first finding the original file in Finder.

  1. Select the photo in Photos

    Open Photos and select one or more HEIC images from your library.

  2. Open Export Photos

    Choose File, Export, Export Photos from the menu bar.

  3. Set Photo Kind to JPEG

    Choose JPEG, then adjust quality, color profile, size, and filename options if needed.

  4. Export to a folder

    Choose a destination folder. Photos creates JPEG copies while keeping the library originals.

Method 3

Batch Convert Multiple HEIC Files to JPG on Mac

Batch conversion is helpful when you have many iPhone photos to upload, email, archive, or send to someone who needs standard JPG files.

Batch convert with Preview

Select multiple HEIC files in Finder, open them in Preview, select the thumbnails, then use File, Export Selected Images and choose JPEG.

Batch convert with Automator

Create a Quick Action, add a Convert Image action, set the output to JPEG, and run it from Finder whenever you need to convert many photos.

Method 4

Convert HEIC to JPG Online Without Software

Use an online HEIC to JPG converter when Preview is inconvenient, you have many photos, or you want a simple browser-based option. This site converts HEIC and HEIF photos locally in your browser, so your files are not uploaded for conversion.

Need to convert many HEIC files quickly?

Convert HEIC to JPG online privately

Troubleshooting

Fix Common HEIC to JPG Problems on Mac

Preview does not show JPEG in the Format menu
Choose File, Export instead of Save. If the format list is short, hold the Option key while opening the Format menu to reveal more export formats.
The HEIC file will not open on Mac
Update macOS first, then try opening the file again in Preview or Photos. If it still fails, use the HEIC to JPG converter to process the file in a modern browser.
The exported JPG looks lower quality
Move the JPEG quality slider higher before saving. JPG is lossy, so very low quality settings can soften edges, text, and fine detail.
Batch export creates very large JPG files
Lower the JPEG quality slightly or choose a smaller image size in Photos. For a format decision before exporting, compare tradeoffs in HEIC vs JPEG.

Related guides

What is HEIC format?

Learn why iPhone photos use HEIC and when you should keep or convert the original. Read why iPhone saves photos as HEIC.

Need PNG instead?

Use PNG when a workflow needs a lossless PNG copy. Convert HEIC to PNG.

Changing iPhone settings?

Stop future photos from saving as HEIC by switching formats on iOS. Use the iPhone HEIC to JPG guide.

Online JPG conversion

When you do not want to use Preview or Photos, convert HEIC to JPG online privately in your browser.

Questions, answered

HEIC to JPG on Mac FAQ

How do I convert HEIC to JPG on Mac?

Open the HEIC photo in Preview, choose File, Export, select JPEG as the format, choose a quality level, and save the new JPG copy.

Can I convert HEIC to JPEG instead of JPG?

Yes. JPG and JPEG are the same image format in everyday use. A file ending in .jpg is a JPEG image.

How do I convert multiple HEIC files to JPG on Mac?

You can select several HEIC files in Preview and export the selected images as JPEG. For jobs you do often, Automator can create a Quick Action that converts images to JPEG.

Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?

JPG uses lossy compression, so very low quality settings can reduce visible detail. Use a higher quality setting when you want the JPG copy to stay close to the original HEIC photo.

Can I convert HEIC to JPG on Mac without losing metadata?

Preview and Photos may keep some basic metadata during export, but metadata handling depends on the app and export settings. If privacy matters, check the exported JPG before sharing it.

Why does my Mac or iPhone save HEIC instead of JPG?

Apple devices use HEIC because it keeps good image quality with smaller file sizes. To make future iPhone photos save as JPEG, follow the iPhone HEIC to JPG settings guide.

Why are my iPhone photos HEIC instead of JPG?

iPhone saves HEIC photos when Camera Formats is set to High Efficiency. Learn more in our What is HEIC format guide.

Ready to make your iPhone photos work anywhere?

Convert HEIC and HEIF photos to JPG in your browser. No account required.

Convert HEIC to JPG online privately