How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac

While Mac has native HEIC support, you may still need to convert HEIC files to JPG — for uploading to websites, sharing with Windows users, or using with software that doesn't accept HEIC. The good news: macOS includes several built-in ways to do this, and there are even faster options available.

This guide covers four methods, from the quickest online solution to powerful built-in macOS workflows.

Method 1: Use HEICtoJPG Converter (Fastest)

The fastest way to convert HEIC files — even on a Mac — is our free online converter. It's especially useful for batch conversions and when you want adjustable quality control.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open Safari, Chrome, or Firefox on your Mac.
2. Go to heictojpgconverter.com
3. Drag your HEIC files from Finder directly onto the upload area.
4. Adjust quality — Use the slider to set your preferred quality (default is 92%).
5. Download — Click download for individual files, or "Download All" for a ZIP of everything.

Why This Method Works Well

• Batch conversion with ZIP download
• Adjustable quality slider (Preview's quality options are limited)
• No need to open each file individually
• Files never leave your Mac — all processing is in-browser
• Works on any macOS version with a modern browser

Method 2: Preview (Built-in)

Preview is macOS's built-in image and PDF viewer, and it can export HEIC files to JPG with a few clicks. This is the most straightforward native method for converting individual files.

Single File Conversion

1. Double-click the HEIC file to open it in Preview (or right-click > Open With > Preview).
2. Go to File > Export from the menu bar.
3. In the Format dropdown, select JPEG.
4. Adjust the Quality slider to your preference.
5. Choose your save location and click Save.

Batch Conversion in Preview

1. Select multiple HEIC files in Finder.
2. Right-click and choose Open With > Preview.
3. In Preview, press Command + A to select all images in the sidebar.
4. Go to File > Export Selected Images.
5. Click Options at the bottom of the dialog, then select JPEG as the format.
6. Choose a destination folder and click Choose.

Limitations

• Quality slider has limited granularity
• Batch export is not immediately obvious (requires selecting all in sidebar)
• No ZIP download option

Method 3: Automator / Quick Actions

For frequent conversions, you can create a reusable Quick Action that adds "Convert to JPG" to your right-click menu in Finder. This is a one-time setup that makes future conversions instant.

Creating the Quick Action

1. Open Automator (search for it in Spotlight with Command + Space).
2. Choose Quick Action as the document type.
3. At the top, set "Workflow receives current" to image files in Finder.
4. In the left panel, search for "Change Type of Images" and drag it to the workflow area.
5. Select JPEG as the output type.
6. Optionally, add a "Copy Finder Items" action before it if you want to preserve the originals (Automator will warn you about this).
7. Save the Quick Action with a name like "Convert to JPG".

Using the Quick Action

1. Select one or more HEIC files in Finder.
2. Right-click and look under Quick Actions (or Services on older macOS versions).
3. Click "Convert to JPG".
4. The JPG files will appear alongside the originals.

Note on macOS Monterey and Later

Starting with macOS Monterey (12.0), Apple added a built-in Quick Action for image conversion. Right-click any image file, go to Quick Actions > Convert Image, select JPEG, choose a size, and click Convert. This eliminates the need to create a custom Automator workflow.

Method 4: Third-Party Software

If you need more control or advanced features, several Mac applications handle HEIC conversion:

Free Options

• GIMP — Open-source image editor with full HEIC support. Export to JPG with fine-grained quality control.
• ImageMagick (via Homebrew) — Command-line tool. Install with brew install imagemagick, then convert with magick convert input.heic output.jpg. Excellent for scripting bulk conversions.
• sips (built-in) — macOS includes the sips command-line tool. Convert with: sips -s format jpeg input.heic --out output.jpg. Great for Terminal users and shell scripts.

Paid Options

• Adobe Photoshop / Lightroom — Professional-grade conversion with full control over output settings.
• Pixelmator Pro — Mac-native image editor with excellent HEIC support and batch export.

Which Method Should You Choose?

Frequently Asked Questions

Does converting HEIC to JPG on Mac lose quality?

Some quality loss is inevitable when converting between lossy formats. At 90%+ quality, the difference is virtually invisible. For zero quality loss, convert to PNG instead.

Can I make my Mac always save screenshots as JPG instead of PNG?

Yes, but that's a different setting. Open Terminal and run: defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg. This changes the screenshot format but doesn't affect how your iPhone saves photos.

Will AirDrop send HEIC or JPG?

When you AirDrop photos from iPhone to Mac, they transfer as HEIC (the original format). When you AirDrop to a non-Apple device or use Share > Email, iOS may automatically convert to JPG for compatibility.

Start Converting

Need to convert HEIC files right now? Open HEICtoJPG Converter — it works on any Mac with a web browser and takes just seconds.