Convert HEIC to JPG on your iPhone without installing anything. The Files app, Shortcuts, and a single transfer option all save iPhone photos as JPG. These on-device methods work for photos you have already taken, so you do not need to change how you capture new ones. Each method creates a new JPG copy while keeping the original HEIC file in your library.

Copy and Paste from Photos to Files

The simplest conversion is a copy and paste. Copy a photo from Photos and paste it into a folder in Files. The photo is saved as a JPG automatically.

  1. Open the Photos app and find the photo you want to convert.
  2. Tap the photo to view it, then tap the share icon (the square with an arrow).
  3. Choose “Copy to” or “Copy to Clipboard” from the share sheet.
  4. Open the Files app and navigate to the folder where you want to save the JPG.
  5. Long press inside the folder and select “Paste.”

The file that appears in the folder is a JPG copy. To confirm, long press the file in Files and choose “Get Info.” The file type is listed there. The JPG copy is usually larger than the original HEIC because JPEG compresses less efficiently.

Use Shortcuts to Convert HEIC to JPEG

The Shortcuts app converts HEIC to JPEG with a simple automated workflow. Build a shortcut that selects photos, converts them, and saves the results to your photo album.

Create the Shortcut

  1. Open the Shortcuts app and tap the “+” button to create a new shortcut.
  2. Add the “Select Photos” action. This lets you choose which photos to convert each time you run the shortcut.
  3. Add the “Convert Image” action. Tap its format option and set the output to “JPEG.”
  4. Add the “Save to Photo Album” action. This saves the converted JPG copies to your main photo library.
  5. Give the shortcut a name, such as “Convert HEIC to JPG.”

Run the Shortcut

Tap your new shortcut, select the HEIC photos you want to convert, and let it run. The shortcut creates JPG copies and saves them to your photo album. The original HEIC photos remain unchanged in your library.

Use this method when you need to convert multiple photos at once. You can also combine it with other actions, like renaming files. The basic steps above are all you need for a direct HEIC to JPEG conversion.

Change the Transfer Option for USB Copies

If you regularly connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC with a USB cable, change one option to automatically convert HEIC photos to a compatible format when you copy them. This does not convert photos already on your phone. It ensures that any photo you transfer from that point on becomes a JPG.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to “Photos.”
  3. Tap “Transfer to Mac or PC.”
  4. Select “Automatic.”

With this option selected, photos copied to your computer are automatically converted to JPEG. The original HEIC files stay on your phone. If you ever need the original HEIC files again, change the option back to “Keep Originals.”

Choose this if you already transfer photos to a computer regularly and want JPG copies without doing anything extra on the phone itself.

Check File Extensions to Confirm the Format

After using any of the methods above, verify that the file is actually a JPG. The Files app makes this easy.

  • Long press the file in the Files app.
  • Tap “Get Info” from the menu that appears.
  • Look for the “Type” field. It shows the file extension, such as “.jpg” or “.jpeg.”

Use this to check whether a file is still HEIC or has been converted. If the type says “HEIC” or “HEIF,” it has not been converted yet.

What the Most Compatible Option Does and Does Not Do

You may have heard of the “Most Compatible” option in the Camera section of Settings. It changes how your iPhone saves new photos. Turn it on and the camera saves new photos as JPEG instead of HEIC. This is useful if you want to avoid HEIC files in the future.

But the Most Compatible option does not convert photos you have already taken. It only affects photos captured after the option is enabled. If you already have a library of HEIC photos, you still need one of the methods above to convert them to JPG.

Important Things to Know About the Conversion

When you convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone using any of these methods, the original HEIC file stays in your library. The conversion creates a new file, so you end up with two copies of the same photo. Delete the HEIC original if you no longer need it, or keep both. It is safe either way.

The JPG copy will usually be larger than the HEIC original. HEIC uses more efficient compression, so it produces smaller files for the same image quality. JPEG files are larger because the compression is less efficient. This is normal and not a sign that anything went wrong.

Prefer not to use any of these on-device methods? A free online tool like heictoojpg.org converts HEIC to JPG in your browser. But the tools above let you do everything on your iPhone without an internet connection or uploading your photos.