How to stop your iPhone saving photos as HEIC
Updated October 12, 2026 · By Lee Palmer
iPhones save photos as HEIC by default because the files are about half the size of JPEGs. If you keep running into “unsupported file” messages on a PC, a printer kiosk or an upload form, you can switch the camera to JPEG or have the phone convert photos automatically when they leave it.
Save new photos as JPEG
- Open Settings.
- Tap Camera, then Formats.
- Choose Most Compatible.
From now on, new photos are saved as JPEG and videos as H.264. Photos you have already taken stay HEIC; convert those with the HEIC to JPG converter. Some high-resolution and high-frame-rate video modes need High Efficiency, so they may disappear from the camera while Most Compatible is on.
High Efficiency vs Most Compatible
| Setting | Photo format | Storage used | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Efficiency (default) | HEIC | About half of JPEG | Apple devices and recent apps |
| Most Compatible | JPEG | Larger | Works almost everywhere |
Keep HEIC on the phone, convert when sharing
If storage matters, you can keep High Efficiency and let the phone convert when photos leave it:
- Copying to a PC by cable: Settings › Apps › Photos (or Settings › Photos on older iOS) › Transfer to Mac or PC › Automatic.
- Email, Messages and most share sheets: usually send a JPEG automatically when the receiver may not support HEIC.
- Uploading through Safari: when you pick a photo in a website’s upload button, iOS normally converts it to JPEG for the site.
Already have a folder of HEIC files?
Use the HEIC to JPG converter to convert up to 50 photos at once and download them as a ZIP. If they are on a Windows PC, the guide to opening HEIC files on Windows explains the other options.
Questions
Does Most Compatible lower photo quality?
No. Photos have the same resolution; JPEG files are simply larger for similar quality.
Will my photos lose their location data?
No. JPEG photos keep GPS location and camera details just like HEIC. To remove them before sharing, use the metadata remover.