---
title: What are HEIC photo files, how do I open them in Windows? How do I change my iPhone or iPad to save photos as a JPG instead and how do I convert existing HEIC photos to JPG?
description: iPhones and iPads and some other devices have a High Efficiency option to save photos as a HEIC files.
---

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# What are HEIC photo files, how do I open them in Windows? How do I change my iPhone or iPad to save photos as a JPG instead and how do I convert existing HEIC photos to JPG?

## iPhones and iPads and some other devices have a High Efficiency option to save photos as a HEIC files.

### Contents

- [What are HEIF, HEIC and HEVC files?](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/i-cannot-open-a-heic-file#what-are)
- [How to view HEIC files in Windows](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/i-cannot-open-a-heic-file#view)
- [How to change your iPhone or iPad camera app to save photos as JPGs or HEICs by default](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/i-cannot-open-a-heic-file#change-file-type)
- [How to convert existing HEIF, HEIC and HEVC files to JPG](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/i-cannot-open-a-heic-file#convert)

---

### What are HEIF, HEIC and HEVC files?

- **HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format):** A modern image format with better compression and quality than JPEG.
- **HEIC (High Efficiency Image Coding):** A HEIF variant using HEVC compression, used by Apple for photos.
- **HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding):** A video compression standard (H.265) that reduces file size while maintaining quality.

---

### How to view HEIC files in Windows

Diocesan Windows computers have the **HEIF Image Extension** installed to enable you to view HEIC files in the Photos and Paint apps.

If the HEIC file doesn't open:

1. Right-click the HEIC file
2. **Open with**
3. **Choose another app**
4. Select **Photos** or **Paint**
5. Select **Always** to always open HEIC files in that application![Microsoft-IntuneCompanyPortal-png](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Microsoft-IntuneCompanyPortal-png.png?width=128&height=128&name=Microsoft-IntuneCompanyPortal-png.png)

Further troubleshooting:

1. Go to the **Company Portal** app
2. Under **apps** search for **HEIF Image Extension** and select
3. Select **Install** or reinstall

---

### How to change your iPhone or iPad camera app to save photos as JPGs or HEICs by default

![apple\_settings-png-1](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/apple_settings-png-1.png?width=84&height=84&name=apple_settings-png-1.png)

1. Open the **Settings** app
2. Scroll down and select **Camera**
3. Select **Formats**
4. Select the format you'd like to use: 
     1. High Efficiency = HEIC
     2. Most Compatible = JPG

![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-13-2025-10-07-33-7024-AM.png?width=600&height=457&name=image-png-May-13-2025-10-07-33-7024-AM.png)

---

### How to convert existing HEIF, HEIC and HEVC files to JPG

1. ![Microsoft-IntuneCompanyPortal-png](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Microsoft-IntuneCompanyPortal-png.png?width=64&height=64&name=Microsoft-IntuneCompanyPortal-png.png)Open the Company Portal app on your computer
2. Search for **imazing**
3. Select **iMazing Converter for HEIC and HEVC**
4. Select **Install**
5. Once installed, open the iMazing app
6. Use the app to convert your files to JPG

![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jun-22-2026-10-44-55-8327-AM.png?width=670&height=371&name=image-png-Jun-22-2026-10-44-55-8327-AM.png)

---

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