Why Change from HEIC to JPG?
Since iOS 11, iPhones have defaulted to capturing photos in HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) format. While HEIC offers superior compression and quality, it can cause compatibility issues when sharing photos with non-Apple devices, uploading to certain websites, or using older software. Fortunately, Apple provides a simple way to switch your iPhone camera settings to capture photos in the universally compatible JPG format.
Understanding the Two Format Options
Apple's Camera app offers two capture format settings:
- High Efficiency:Captures photos in HEIC format and videos in HEVC (H.265). Files are about 50% smaller while maintaining excellent quality. Perfect for saving storage space on your iPhone.
- Most Compatible:Captures photos in JPG format and videos in H.264. These formats work everywhere but take up more storage space. Ideal for maximum compatibility across all devices and platforms.
Neither option is inherently better—your choice depends on your priorities. If you value storage efficiency and primarily stay within the Apple ecosystem, High Efficiency is excellent. If you need guaranteed compatibility or frequently share photos with Android users, Most Compatible is the safer choice.
Step-by-Step: Changing Your iPhone Camera Format
Follow these simple steps to change your iPhone from HEIC to JPG:
Step 1: Open Settings
Locate and tap the Settings app on your iPhone's home screen. It's the gray icon with gears that's typically found on your first home screen.
Step 2: Navigate to Camera Settings
Scroll down through the Settings menu until you find "Camera" (it's usually between "Bluetooth" and "Photos"). Tap on "Camera" to access your camera settings.
Step 3: Select Formats
Within the Camera settings screen, you'll see several options. Tap on "Formats" near the top of the menu. This is where you'll find the format selection options.
Step 4: Choose Most Compatible
You'll see two radio button options:
- High Efficiency (HEIC/HEVC)
- Most Compatible (JPG/H.264)
Tap "Most Compatible" to switch to JPG format. A checkmark will appear next to your selection, confirming the change has been made.
Step 5: Verify the Change
Exit the Settings app and open your Camera. Take a test photo, then go to Photos and tap the info button (i) to verify it's saved as JPG. The format should now display as "JPEG" in the file information.
What Happens to Existing HEIC Photos?
Changing this setting only affects new photos you take going forward. All existing HEIC photos in your library remain in HEIC format. This is actually beneficial because it preserves the smaller file sizes of your existing photos while ensuring new photos have maximum compatibility.
If you need to convert existing HEIC photos to JPG, you have several options:
- Use the automatic conversion when transferring to a Windows PC
- Convert individual photos using online tools
- Use batch conversion software for large photo libraries
- Enable automatic conversion during transfer (see below)
Automatic Transfer to Mac or PC Settings
Even if you keep shooting in HEIC, you can configure your iPhone to automatically convert photos to JPG when transferring them to a computer. This gives you the best of both worlds—storage efficiency on your iPhone and compatibility on your computer.
Enabling Automatic Conversion
To set up automatic conversion during transfer:
- Open Settings app
- Scroll down and tap "Photos"
- Scroll to the bottom and find "Transfer to Mac or PC"
- Select "Automatic" instead of "Keep Originals"
With "Automatic" selected, your iPhone will intelligently convert HEIC photos to JPG when you import them using a USB cable, AirDrop to non-Apple devices, or certain sharing methods. The original HEIC files remain on your iPhone, preserving storage efficiency.
Impact on Storage Space
Switching from HEIC to JPG will increase the storage space your photos consume. On average, expect JPG files to be approximately 50-100% larger than equivalent HEIC files. For example:
- A 12MP photo in HEIC: ~1.5-2MB
- The same photo in JPG: ~3-4MB
If you take many photos, this difference adds up quickly. A person who takes 100 photos per month might use an extra 2-3GB of storage annually by shooting in JPG instead of HEIC. Consider your available storage and photo habits when deciding which format to use.
Effect on Photo Quality
The good news is that for most users, the quality difference between HEIC and JPG on an iPhone is minimal. Both formats are lossy compression methods, but modern iPhones produce excellent JPG images. You might notice slightly less color depth in complex gradients (like sunsets) when using JPG, but for everyday photography, the difference is negligible.
Professional photographers working with extensive editing workflows might prefer HEIC for its 16-bit color depth advantage, but casual users won't notice a meaningful quality reduction when using JPG.
💡 Quick Tip
Already have HEIC photos that need converting? Use HEICdrop.net's free online converter to instantly convert HEIC to JPG. Your files are processed entirely in your browser—no uploads required, completely private, and you get instant results.
When to Keep High Efficiency Format
Despite compatibility concerns, there are scenarios where keeping HEIC makes sense:
- You primarily use Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
- Storage space is limited on your device
- You rely heavily on iCloud Photos for backup
- You use the "Automatic" transfer setting for compatibility when needed
- You want to preserve Live Photos and depth information
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Setting Reverts to High Efficiency
If your setting keeps switching back to High Efficiency, ensure you're running the latest iOS version. Occasionally, older iOS versions had bugs that reset this preference. Update your iPhone through Settings > General > Software Update.
Some Photos Still in HEIC
Third-party camera apps may have their own format settings independent of the system Camera app. Check each app's individual settings to ensure consistent JPG capture across all your photography apps.
Converted Photos Look Different
When iOS converts HEIC to JPG, it may apply slightly different processing. This is normal and usually imperceptible. If you notice significant changes, ensure you're using "Automatic" transfer mode rather than third-party conversion tools that might apply additional compression.
Conclusion
Changing your iPhone camera settings from HEIC to JPG is a simple process that takes less than a minute. Whether you choose High Efficiency or Most Compatible depends on your specific needs—storage efficiency versus universal compatibility. The beauty of Apple's implementation is that you can easily switch between formats anytime, and you can even keep shooting in HEIC while enabling automatic conversion during transfers. This flexibility ensures you can optimize for both storage and compatibility based on your evolving needs.
← Back to Blog
© 2024 HEICdrop.net. All rights reserved.