How do I open HEIC files on Windows 10?

Install HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store, which is free. If images still will not display, use IrfanView or XnView MP instead: both decode HEIC on their own and avoid the paid HEVC extension entirely.

How do I convert HEIC to JPG?

On Windows, open the file in IrfanView or XnView MP and use Save as, choosing JPEG. On macOS, open it in Preview and use File, Export. Both work offline, which matters because these are usually personal photos.

Why do my iPhone photos show as HEIC on my PC?

iOS captures in HEIC by default to save space, and transfers the original when "Keep Originals" is selected. Switch the camera to Most Compatible for JPEG capture, or set transfer to Automatic so iOS converts on the way out.

File extensions

How to open a .heic file

High Efficiency Image Container · Image

A .heic file is the photo format iPhones use by default. macOS opens it natively. Windows needs the free HEIF Image Extensions, and historically also a paid HEVC codec, which is why so many people convert instead.

What a .heic file actually is

HEIC is a container based on the HEIF standard, storing images compressed with HEVC. Apple adopted it in iOS 11 because it produces roughly half the file size of JPEG at comparable quality.

A single .heic can also hold more than one image, which is how Live Photos and burst shots are stored. That is worth knowing before you convert, because a careless conversion keeps only the primary frame.

Why it will not open

Windows does not ship HEIC support. The image codec extension is free from the Microsoft Store, but the HEVC video extension it depends on has been a paid item, and that licensing split is the single most confusing part of the whole situation.

Step by step

Windows

01Open the Microsoft Store and install "HEIF Image Extensions", which is free.
02Try the photo again. On current Windows 11 builds this is usually enough, because the needed decoding is bundled.
03If it still fails, you need "HEVC Video Extensions", a paid Store item. Before buying it, try the free route below.
04Free route: open the file in IrfanView or XnView MP, both of which decode HEIC themselves without any Store extension, and use "Save as" to export a JPEG.

macOS

01Double-click. Preview opens HEIC natively and has done since macOS High Sierra.
02To convert, open it in Preview, choose File then Export, and pick JPEG.

What usually goes wrong

Stop the problem at the source

On the iPhone, go to Settings, Camera, Formats and choose "Most Compatible". New photos are captured as JPEG. Separately, under Settings, Photos, "Transfer to Mac or PC", choosing Automatic converts on export while Keep Originals sends the raw HEIC.

Converting a Live Photo loses the motion

Exporting a HEIC that contains multiple frames to JPEG keeps the still image and discards everything else. Keep the original file if the motion matters.

Programs that open .heic

Our pick, in order. Every one links to the publisher's official download URL and the SHA-256 hash of the installer, so you can check the file before you run it.

Common questions

How do I open HEIC files on Windows 10?: Install HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store, which is free. If images still will not display, use IrfanView or XnView MP instead: both decode HEIC on their own and avoid the paid HEVC extension entirely.
How do I convert HEIC to JPG?: On Windows, open the file in IrfanView or XnView MP and use Save as, choosing JPEG. On macOS, open it in Preview and use File, Export. Both work offline, which matters because these are usually personal photos.
Why do my iPhone photos show as HEIC on my PC?: iOS captures in HEIC by default to save space, and transfers the original when "Keep Originals" is selected. Switch the camera to Most Compatible for JPEG capture, or set transfer to Automatic so iOS converts on the way out.