The fastest way to convert HEIC to JPG on Mac

The simplest method is to use the Preview app that comes built into every Mac. Open the HEIC image in Preview, click File in the menu bar, select Export As, then change the file format dropdown from HEIC to JPG before saving. This takes about 30 seconds and requires no additional software.

If you have multiple photos to convert, the Finder method is faster: select all your HEIC files at once, right-click, choose Quick Actions, then Convert Image. A dialog box appears where you can pick JPG as the output format and convert them all in one batch.

Both methods preserve your original file — the converted JPG is a separate file that appears in the same folder. Your HEIC original stays untouched.

Key Takeaways

  • Preview (the built-in Mac app) converts single HEIC files to JPG through File > Export As in about 30 seconds.
  • The Finder's Quick Actions feature converts multiple HEIC files at once by selecting them, right-clicking, and choosing Convert Image.
  • Both methods create a new JPG file while keeping your original HEIC photo unchanged.
  • JPG files are smaller than HEIC and work on older devices, cameras, and websites that do not recognize HEIC format.
  • You can adjust JPG quality during export in Preview — lower quality means smaller file size.

Converting a single photo with Preview

Open the HEIC image by double-clicking it (it opens in Preview by default). At the top of the window, click File, then scroll down and click Export As. Do not click "Save" — that saves it as HEIC. Export As is what lets you change the format.

A dialog box opens. Look for the Format dropdown menu near the bottom — it currently shows "HEIC". Click it and select JPEG. The filename stays the same but the extension changes from .heic to .jpg. Choose where you want to save it (usually the same folder as the original), then click Export.

Before you export, you can adjust the quality slider if you want a smaller file. Drag it left for lower quality and smaller size, or right for higher quality and larger size. Most people leave it in the middle. Click Export when you are ready.

Converting multiple photos at once with Finder

Open Finder and navigate to the folder containing your HEIC photos. Select the first photo, then hold Shift and click the last photo to select them all. If the photos are not in a row, hold Command and click each one individually instead.

Right-click anywhere on the selected files. A menu appears — look for Quick Actions and hover over it. A submenu shows Convert Image. Click it.

A small window pops up asking what format you want. Click the dropdown that says "HEIC" and change it to JPEG. You can also adjust the size (keep it at "Automatic" unless you need smaller files). Click Convert and all your photos convert at once. The new JPG files appear in the same folder with the same names but .jpg extensions.

What to do if Convert Image does not appear in Quick Actions

On older Mac models or earlier versions of macOS, the Convert Image option may not be available. If you do not see it in the Quick Actions menu, use Preview instead — it works on every Mac.

Alternatively, you can enable Convert Image in System Settings. Open System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then scroll down and click Extensions. Look for Quick Actions and make sure the checkbox next to "Convert Image" is turned on. Close Settings and try right-clicking your photos again.

Understanding HEIC versus JPG

HEIC is Apple's newer photo format — it compresses images more efficiently, so HEIC files are smaller than JPG files of the same photo. However, HEIC only works on newer Apple devices and some newer Android phones. Older cameras, computers, and websites do not recognize HEIC at all.

JPG is the older, universal format that works on virtually every device and website. If you are sending photos to someone, uploading them to a website, or using them on a non-Apple device, JPG is the safer choice. The trade-off is that JPG files are larger — a typical HEIC photo might be 2 MB, while the same photo as JPG could be 4 to 5 MB.

Converting to JPG does not damage the photo. You are not losing quality in any visible way — the difference between a high-quality JPG and the original HEIC is imperceptible to the human eye.

Batch converting with third-party apps

If you regularly convert large batches of photos, apps like ImageMagick (free, command-line based) or Automator (built into Mac) can automate the process. Automator is easier for beginners — it lets you create a workflow that converts every HEIC file in a folder to JPG without opening each one.

To use Automator, open the Automator app (search for it in Spotlight), create a new "Folder Action" workflow, select your photos folder, then add the "Convert Image Format" action. Set the format to JPEG and save the workflow. From then on, any HEIC file you add to that folder automatically converts to JPG.

For most people, Preview or Quick Actions is enough. Use Automator only if you convert photos constantly.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not click Save in Preview if you want to change the format — Save keeps the file as HEIC. Always use Export As to change the format. If you accidentally saved as HEIC, just export it again as JPG.

Do not assume the converted JPG is smaller just because HEIC is a newer format. The file size depends on the image dimensions and quality settings, not the format alone. A large, high-quality JPG can be bigger than a small HEIC file.

Do not delete the original HEIC file when ready after converting. Keep it for a few days to make sure the JPG version looks correct on the device or website where you need it. Once you confirm the JPG works, you can delete the HEIC if you want to save storage space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert HEIC to JPG on an older Mac?

Yes. Preview works on every Mac version from the last 10 years. Open the HEIC file, go to File > Export As, change the format to JPEG, and export. The Quick Actions method requires macOS 10.15 or newer, but Preview is always available.

Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce the photo quality?

No, not in any visible way. You can adjust the quality slider during export in Preview — if you move it all the way down, the JPG will look slightly softer, but at the default middle setting, the difference between HEIC and JPG is imperceptible. The file size increases, but the visual quality stays the same.

What if I want to convert HEIC to PNG instead of JPG?

Use the same steps in Preview or Quick Actions, but select PNG from the format dropdown instead of JPEG. PNG files are larger than both HEIC and JPG, but they support transparency (see-through backgrounds), which JPG does not.

Can I convert HEIC photos on an iPhone or iPad?

Not directly — iPhones and iPads do not have a built-in converter. You can change your iPhone's camera settings to shoot in JPG instead of HEIC by going to Settings > Camera > Formats and turning off "High Efficiency". For photos already in HEIC, transfer them to a Mac and convert there, or use a web-based converter.

Do I need to install anything to convert HEIC to JPG?

No. Preview and Quick Actions are built into every Mac. You do not need to read or install any software. If you want to use Automator for batch conversions, that is also built in — just search for it in Spotlight.