How to Open and Convert HEIC Files on a Mac
HEIF support is built into macOS High Sierra and later. Apple’s own steps to export a photo, or a batch, as JPEG or PNG.
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Which Macs can open HEIC
No download is needed on a current Mac. Apple’s support page on HEIF and HEVC says:
“Support for HEIF and HEVC is built into iOS 11 and later, iPadOS, visionOS, and macOS High Sierra 10.13 and later, which let you view, edit, and duplicate this media in apps that support these features.”
Apple’s Preview guide does not say which macOS version first opened HEIC in Preview; that is not published on the official page.
Convert HEIC to JPEG or PNG in Preview
Preview, the image viewer that comes with macOS, can save a HEIC photo in another format. From Apple’s Preview guide:
“Open the file you want to convert, then choose File > Export.”
“Click the Format pop-up menu, then choose HEIC, JPEG, JPEG-2000, OpenEXR, PDF, PNG, or TIFF.”
“If you choose JPEG or JPEG-2000, you can adjust the image’s quality.”
“If you open an HEIF image in Photos or Preview on your Mac, choose File > Export, then choose a format such as JPEG or PNG before saving.”
The last sentence, from Apple’s HEIF page, gives the same route in Photos.
Convert several photos at once
Preview can convert a batch:
“Tip: To convert more than one image file at a time, open the files in one window, select them in that window’s sidebar, then follow the steps above.”
For a large folder, our converter is an alternative: drop the folder in, and it converts every .heic, .heif and .hif file inside it and gives you one ZIP. Our batch conversion guide explains how it handles folders, multi-image files and Live Photos.
Getting photos from an iPhone onto a Mac
Apple’s transfer page uses the Photos app:
“The Photos app shows an Import screen with all the photos and videos that are on your connected device.”
“When you import HEIF or HEVC media from an attached iPhone or iPad into Photos, Image Capture, or a PC, the media might be converted to JPEG or H.264.”
“If you don't want it to be converted, open Settings, tap Apps, tap Photos, then scroll down and tap Keep Originals.”
“iCloud Photos always uploads and stores your original, full-resolution photos. You can keep full-resolution originals on each of your devices, or save space with device-optimized versions instead.”
The second and third sentences are from Apple’s HEIF page: an import can turn HEIC into JPEG unless you choose Keep Originals on the iPhone.
Screenshots in HEIF on macOS Tahoe
A Mac can make HEIF files of its own:
“On supported Mac computers with macOS Tahoe 26 or later, if the Capture Format setting in the Screenshot app is set to HDR, screenshots are captured in HEIF format and screen recordings are captured in HEVC format.”
If a website rejects one of those screenshots, export it as PNG in Preview, or convert it here.
Sources
Official pages only. Each was read on the date shown and then read again independently before we used it.
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Open HEIC to JPG converterFrequently asked questions
Can a Mac open HEIC files without extra software?
Yes, on macOS High Sierra 10.13 or later, where Apple says HEIF support is built in. Apple’s steps for exporting a HEIF image start by opening it in Photos or Preview.
Which version of macOS added HEIC to Preview?
Apple’s Preview guide doesn’t say. Apple’s HEIF page says support is built into macOS High Sierra 10.13 and later.
How do I convert HEIC to JPG on a Mac?
Open the photo in Preview, choose File > Export, choose JPEG in the Format pop-up menu, and set the quality. To convert several, open them in one Preview window, select them in the sidebar, and export.
Why are my Mac screenshots HEIC?
Apple says that on macOS Tahoe 26 or later, screenshots are captured in HEIF when the Capture Format setting in the Screenshot app is set to HDR.
Does importing from my iPhone keep the HEIC format?
Not always. Apple says imports into Photos or Image Capture might convert to JPEG. To keep HEIC, on the iPhone open Settings, tap Apps, tap Photos, then tap Keep Originals.