Drag & drop your files here
Max 20 files • Max file size: 50MB
Accepted formats: .heic, .heif
Customize output
Customizing
image.jpg
Loading codec settings...
Original
-- MB
Compressed
-- KB
⏳ Compressing...
Understanding iPhone photo compression and conversion
HEIC compression for iPhone and iPad photos means converting to JPG or PNG with adjustable quality settings. Here's the critical reality: HEIC files cannot be re-compressed to smaller HEIC files—HEIC already uses HEVC (H.265), one of the most efficient image compression codecs available (50% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality). "Compressing HEIC" actually means converting to JPEG or PNG with your chosen quality level.
This tool decodes HEIC using heic2any library (includes libde265 HEVC decoder compiled to WebAssembly), then re-encodes to JPEG (lossy) or PNG (lossless). Critical understanding: high-quality JPEG conversion (Q92) often produces larger files than original HEIC because HEVC codec is fundamentally more efficient than JPEG. Lower quality settings (Q55-75) produce smaller files but with quality trade-offs. This isn't a bug—it's physics. To match HEIC's quality in JPEG format requires more data.
Perfect for converting Apple photos for Windows compatibility, reducing file size for email/messaging, or preparing for web uploads. If you're staying within Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac, iCloud), keep HEIC for smallest files and best quality.
Convert iPhone photos for compatibility and compression
Drag and drop HEIC files from iPhone/iPad photos, or click "Add HEICs" to browse. Up to 20 files at once (50MB maximum per file). Accepts .heic and .heif extensions, standard iPhone photos, Portrait mode with depth data, Live Photos (still frame only), and ProRAW.
Five presets available. Balanced (Q75, recommended default) converts to JPEG with similar file size to HEIC, good quality. High Quality (Q92) produces larger files (+50-75%) but near-lossless. Smaller File (Q55) achieves 25-40% reduction with visible quality loss. Lossless (PNG) preserves pixels perfectly but creates 4-6x larger files. Maximum (Q35) for thumbnails only.
Processing takes 2-4 seconds per file. Download individually or as ZIP for batches. Powered by heic2any v0.0.4 with libde265 HEVC decoder (WebAssembly). Output format: JPEG (universal compatibility) or PNG (lossless, much larger). Files processed sequentially on main thread—batch of 20 photos completes in under 2 minutes.
Understanding iPhone's default photo format
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format since iOS 11 (2017) and macOS High Sierra. Uses HEVC compression (H.265 video codec adapted for still images)—same technology powering 4K video streaming on Netflix and YouTube. This codec delivers 50% smaller files than JPEG at equivalent visual quality.
Up to 64×64 pixels (vs 16×16 in JPEG). Fewer blocks = less overhead, better compression.
35 intra-prediction modes (vs 9 in H.264/JPEG). Better prediction = more efficient encoding.
Context-Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding. More efficient than Huffman coding in JPEG.
HEIC supports 10-bit color (vs 8-bit JPEG). Better gradients, less banding.
Original HEIC: 2.0 MB (quality equivalent to JPEG Q85)
Converting to JPEG:
• Q92 (High Quality): 3.2 MB (+60% LARGER)
• Q75 (Balanced): 2.1 MB (~same size)
• Q55 (Smaller): 1.4 MB (-30% smaller)
• Q35 (Maximum): 0.8 MB (-60% smaller)
Most users need compression + conversion together
Most HEIC users need compression + conversion together: reduce file size AND convert to JPG for compatibility. Pure compression (HEIC → smaller HEIC) is impossible—conversion to JPEG is the solution. iPhone photos work perfectly within Apple ecosystem (iMessage, iCloud, AirDrop) but face compatibility barriers elsewhere.
Windows 10/11 can't open HEIC natively. Requires codec install from Microsoft Store (paid) or free alternatives.
Chrome, Firefox, Edge cannot display HEIC. Only Safari (macOS/iOS) supports HEIC. Upload forms reject HEIC files.
WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger require JPEG. HEIC attachments rejected or auto-converted (quality loss).
Many email clients can't display HEIC attachments. Gmail, Outlook, corporate email systems require JPEG/PNG.
Settings → Camera → Formats → "Most Compatible" makes iPhone capture JPEGs directly instead of HEIC. Trade-off: photos are 2x larger from capture, you lose HEIC's storage savings. Our tool lets you keep HEIC for storage, converting only when sharing outside Apple ecosystem.
100% browser-based HEVC decoding
100% browser-based processing—iPhone and iPad photos never leave your device. heic2any library (with libde265 HEVC decoder) loads from esm.sh CDN (~2 MB, first time only) and runs entirely in your browser via WebAssembly. Decoding happens locally: HEIC → canvas → JPEG/PNG. No upload to servers. No storage. No exposure. Perfect for personal photos, family moments, sensitive documents captured on iPhone.
Family, vacation, private moments stay secure
Depth data never exposed to servers
Location data stripped (if enabled), never uploaded
Prescriptions, insurance docs protected
heic2any loads from CDN once (2-4 seconds), then cached locally. After initial load, disconnect from internet and continue converting. Files stay in browser memory only. No POST endpoint exists in codebase. Sequential processing on main thread (one photo at a time). GDPR compliant by architecture—no data collection possible. Apple ecosystem optimized for Safari/iOS compatibility.
Everything you need to know about HEIC compression
Convert to JPEG with lower quality setting. Use our Smaller File preset (Q55) for 25-40% reduction, or Maximum preset (Q35) for 55-70% reduction. HEIC is already highly compressed (HEVC codec)—cannot be re-compressed to smaller HEIC. Conversion to JPEG with quality trade-offs is only option for size reduction.
Not to smaller HEIC files. HEIC already uses HEVC (H.265), one of the most efficient compression codecs. You can convert to JPEG with quality settings (smaller files, quality loss) or PNG (lossless, 4-6x larger). "Compressing HEIC" means converting to another format—HEIC itself is already maximally compressed.
Yes. HEIC uses HEVC compression (H.265), the same codec as 4K video streaming. It's already 50% smaller than JPEG at same quality. Cannot be re-compressed to smaller HEIC—HEVC is near-maximum efficiency. Converting to high-quality JPEG often increases file size because HEVC is more efficient than JPEG's compression.
Depends on conversion format and quality. PNG (Lossless preset) = zero quality loss, but 4-6x larger files. JPEG Q92 (High Quality) = minimal loss, 50-75% larger. JPEG Q75 (Balanced) = slight loss, similar size. JPEG Q55/Q35 = visible loss, smaller files. "Compressing HEIC" requires format conversion—always some quality consideration.
If staying in Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac, iCloud, AirDrop), keep HEIC—smallest files and best quality. If sharing outside Apple (Windows users, web uploads, messaging apps, email), convert to JPG using our Balanced preset. Most users need compression + conversion together for compatibility. HEIC works perfectly within Apple but faces barriers elsewhere.
High-resolution iPhone photos (12MP standard, 48MP on iPhone 14 Pro+), ProRAW format (10-20 MB per photo), or Live Photos (includes video). HEIC is already optimally compressed—large file = high resolution image. To reduce further, convert to JPEG with lower quality (Q55 or Q35) or reduce image dimensions.
Yes. HEIC delivers better quality at same file size (or 50% smaller files at same quality). HEVC codec is more efficient than JPEG. Example: 2 MB HEIC has quality equivalent to 4.2 MB JPEG. HEIC also supports 10-bit color (vs 8-bit JPEG), transparency, and depth maps. Trade-off: limited compatibility outside Apple ecosystem.
Yes, use this tool in Safari on iPhone/iPad. Browser-based processing works on iOS. Alternatively, change iPhone camera settings (Settings → Camera → Formats → "Most Compatible") to capture JPEG directly instead of HEIC. Trade-off: JPEG photos are 2x larger from capture, lose HEIC storage savings.
HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) is the MPEG standard format specification. HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's implementation of HEIF. Used interchangeably in practice. Both file extensions (.heic/.heif) supported. iPhone uses .heic extension by default. Same format, different terminology.
iPhone defaults to HEIC format since iOS 11 (2017) because it's 50% smaller than JPEG at same quality. Saves storage space and iCloud capacity. Change in Settings → Camera → Formats → "Most Compatible" to capture JPEG instead. Trade-off: photos are 2x larger. Most users keep HEIC for storage, convert when sharing.
Convert HEIC to JPG/PNG with adjustable quality. Choose lossless preservation or maximum compression. Up to 20 files at once. Files stay private in your browser—never uploaded.
