HEIC won't open on the receiving device
HEIC is iPhone's default photo format. Modern systems can open it, but older or less common photo viewers can't. If a HEIC photo arrives and won't open on your computer or other device, here's how to fix it.
Quickest fix: convert to JPG on the way out
Photo Transfer App can automatically convert HEIC to JPG as it sends — useful if you know the receiving device can't open HEIC.
- Open Photo Transfer App on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the three-dots menu (•••) in the top-right corner.
- Tap on Settings.
- Find HEIC to JPG.
- Toggle it on.
From now on, every HEIC photo you send is converted to JPG on the fly. Your originals on your iPhone are untouched — only the copy sent out is converted.
Or: install HEIC support on the receiving device
Windows 10 / 11
Install Microsoft's free HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Once installed, Windows Photos, File Explorer thumbnails, and most photo viewers handle HEIC natively.
You may also need the HEVC Video Extensions (the video codec used in Live Photos) — Microsoft charges a small fee for this one. Some Windows OEMs ship it pre-installed.
macOS
macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) and later support HEIC natively. No install needed.
Android
Android 10 and later support HEIC natively in the gallery and most photo apps. On older Android versions, install a third-party gallery app that supports HEIC.
Linux
Install libheif and heif-thumbnailer via your package manager. Most modern Linux distros include it by default; older ones need an explicit install.
Convert files you've already transferred
If you already received HEIC files that won't open and don't want to install a viewer, you can convert them after the fact:
- Online: free converters like heictojpg.com work in any browser. (Note: this uploads your photo to a third-party server. Don't use for sensitive content.)
- Mac: open the HEIC in Preview → File → Export → Format: JPEG.
- Windows: install HEIF Image Extensions and use Photos to export as JPG.