iPhone HEIC photos won't open on Windows: three solutions

Since 2017, iPhones save photos in HEIC format: half the size of JPG, but not always readable by Windows, Android or websites. Three solutions depending on your needs.

1. Convert photos you already have

Use HEIC to JPG: pick your files, convert, download. Conversion happens on your device, so your photos aren't uploaded anywhere. On an older phone, allow a few seconds per photo.

2. Get JPG automatically on your computer

On the iPhone: Settings → Photos → at the bottom, "Transfer to Mac or PC" → choose "Automatic". The iPhone then converts photos to JPG when you copy them over a cable.

3. Stop producing HEIC altogether

On the iPhone: Settings → Camera → Formats → "Most Compatible". New photos will be JPG. They'll take about twice as much space on the phone.

Which to choose

• You often share with PCs or websites: solution 3.
• You want to save space on the iPhone: solution 2, plus solution 1 now and then.

A site still rejects your photos after conversion? They may be too large: try Compress an image.