The new photo format used by iOS poses compatibility issues. However, it is possible to revert to JPEG or convert your photos.
No more JPEG photos in the iPhone! In iOS 11, Apple opted for a new format called HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format), with the file extension HEIC (High Efficiency Image File Container). This format compresses images using H.265 technology, also used for Ultra HD video.
The goal is to offer the same image quality as JPEG, but with a file half the size. Unfortunately, this new image format poses compatibility problems because many programs do not recognize it. For example, Microsoft announced its inclusion in Windows 10, via the app Pictures, but we will have to wait for the Spring Creators Update. As for Android P, the future version of Google’s mobile operating system, it will be compatible with this image format but not on entry-level devices. Simply put, iPhone users can feel a bit lonely when they want to share their photos.
Here are our solutions to work around this problem:
1 – Go back to JPEG format
This is the most radical solution, but also the simplest if you no longer want to use the HEIF format. In iOS 11 settings, accessible by the gear icon, select Camera then Formats and finally Most compatible.
To use the HEIF format again, select High efficiency in the list of formats.
2 – Automatically export your photos to JPEG
If you connect your iPhone to a Windows computer, it is possible to tell iOS to automatically export the images in JPEG format. To do this, tap Pictures in iOS settings, then Automatique in the section Transfer to Mac or PC.
3 – Use an image converter app
The free iOS JPEG PNG app allows you to convert HEIF photos to JPEG or PNG images, with a few ads displayed. Launch the app and tap Load a Photo. Select the photo you are interested in, then tap Convert & Save at the top of the screen. You then have the choice of saving the image in JPEG or PNG format.
4 – Convert online or on your computer
If you received a photo with the HEIC extension, go to the website heictojpg.com to convert it with a simple drag and drop.
Then all you have to do is save the resulting JPEG image.
Finally, you can also use the free iMazing HEIC Converter software for Mac and Windows PC. Knowing that if you are using Photos on Mac, you just need to drag a photo into a directory in Finder and the HEIC snapshot will be automatically converted to JPEG.