HEIC to JPG on Mac: Complete Guide for macOS Users (2026)

If you're a Mac user dealing with HEIC files from your iPhone or iPad, you're not alone. Apple's modern image format offers better quality and smaller file sizes, but it can be frustrating when you need to share photos with Windows users or upload them to websites that don't support HEIC. In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you multiple ways to convert HEIC to JPG on Mac, including the fastest and easiest methods.

What is HEIC and Why Convert It on Mac?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format introduced in iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. While it offers excellent compression and quality, compatibility remains an issue. Many websites, older Mac applications, and non-Apple devices still prefer the universal JPG format.

Converting HEIC to JPG on Mac becomes essential when you need to:

• Share photos with Windows or Android users
• Upload images to websites or social media platforms
• Edit photos in applications that don't support HEIC
• Create presentations or documents with universal compatibility
• Archive photos in a widely-supported format

Method 1: Using Built-in Preview App (Free & Easy)

macOS comes with a built-in solution that many users overlook. The Preview app can quickly convert HEIC files to JPG without any additional software.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Locate your HEIC file in Finder
2. Right-click and select "Open With" > "Preview"
3. Once opened, click "File" in the menu bar
4. Select "Export" from the dropdown menu
5. Choose "JPEG" from the Format dropdown
6. Adjust the quality slider (80-100% recommended)
7. Choose your save location and click "Save"

Pros: No software installation needed, maintains good quality
Cons: Time-consuming for multiple files, one file at a time

Method 2: Using Quick Actions in Finder (Batch Conversion)

macOS Mojave and later versions include Quick Actions, allowing you to convert multiple HEIC files simultaneously.

How to Use Quick Actions:

1. Open Finder and navigate to your HEIC files
2. Hold the Command key and click on each file to choose more than one file.
3. Right-click on the selected files
4. Hover over "Quick Actions"
5. Select "Convert Image"
6. Choose "JPEG" as the format
7. Select image size (Small, Medium, Large, or Actual Size)
8. Click "Convert to JPEG"

This method is perfect for converting 10-20 photos at once without opening any applications.

Method 3: Using Photos App (For Library Management)

If your HEIC files are already in your Photos library, you can export them as JPG directly.

Export Process:

1. Open the Photos app on your Mac
2. Select the HEIC photos you want to convert
3. Go to File > Export > "Export [number] Photos"
4. Set Photo Kind to "JPEG"
5. Adjust JPEG Quality (High recommended)
6. Choose Color Profile (sRGB for web compatibility)
7. Click Export and select destination folder

Method 4: Using Terminal (For Advanced Users)

Mac power users can leverage the built-in SIPS (Scriptable Image Processing System) tool for batch conversion via Terminal.

Terminal Command:

for file in *.heic; do sips -s format jpeg "$file" --out "${file%.heic}.jpg"; done

Simply navigate to your HEIC folder in Terminal and run this command to convert all files at once.

Method 5: Use an online HEIC to JPG converter (quick and easy option)

For the quickest conversion without installing software or using complex methods, online converters are your best bet. Our free HEIC to JPG converter works perfectly on Mac and offers several advantages:

Why Choose Our Online Converter:

• No Installation Required: Works directly in Safari, Chrome, or any browser
• Privacy-Focused: Files are processed in your browser, never uploaded to servers
• Batch Conversion: Convert up to 200 images at once
• Multiple Formats: Choose JPG, PNG, or PDF output
• 100% Free: No registration, no watermarks, no limits
• Mac Optimized: Works seamlessly on all macOS versions

How to Use:

1. Visit our HEIC to JPG converter tool
2. Click "Select Files" or drag & drop your HEIC images
3. Choose JPG as your output format
4. Wait for conversion (usually takes seconds)
5. Download individual files or get all as a ZIP folder

This method is ideal for users who want a quick, hassle-free solution without learning complex Mac features.

Method 6: Using Automator (Create Custom Workflow)

For frequent converters, Mac's Automator app can create a custom workflow for one-click conversion.

Creating an Automator Workflow:

1. Open Automator (Cmd+Space, type "Automator")
2. Choose "Quick Action" as document type
3. Set "Workflow receives current" to "image files" in "Finder"
4. Search for "Change Type of Images" in the actions panel
5. Drag it to the workflow area
6. Select "JPEG" as the new type
7. Save as "Convert HEIC to JPG"

Now you can right-click any HEIC file in Finder, select Quick Actions, and convert instantly.

Changing Default Camera Settings on iPhone

If you frequently convert HEIC files, consider changing your iPhone's camera settings to shoot in JPG format directly:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Go to Camera > Formats
3. Select "Most Compatible" instead of "High Efficiency"

This will make your iPhone capture photos in JPG format, eliminating the need for conversion. However, you'll lose the storage benefits of HEIC.

Common Issues and Solutions

Problem 1: Preview App Won't Open HEIC Files

Solution: Ensure you're running macOS High Sierra (10.13) or later. Update your system if needed.

Problem 2: Quality Loss After Conversion

Solution: Always set JPEG quality to 90-100% during export to maintain image quality.

Problem 3: Slow Conversion for Large Batches

Solution: Use our online converter or Terminal commands for faster batch processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I convert HEIC to JPG on Mac without losing quality?

While JPG is a lossy format, setting quality to 90-100% during conversion minimizes quality loss. For lossless conversion, consider PNG format instead.

Q2. Is it safe to use online HEIC converters on Mac?

Reputable online converters like ours process files locally in your browser without uploading them to servers, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Q3. Why are my HEIC files larger after converting to JPG?

HEIC uses advanced compression. Converting to JPG can increase file size by 20-50%, especially at high quality settings.

Q4. Can I convert HEIC to JPG on older Mac versions?

macOS High Sierra (10.13) and later support HEIC natively. For older versions, use our online converter which works on any Mac with a modern browser.

Conclusion

Converting HEIC to JPG on Mac doesn't have to be complicated. Whether you prefer built-in tools like Preview and Photos, advanced methods like Terminal and Automator, or the convenience of our free online HEIC converter, you now have multiple options to choose from.

For occasional conversions, Preview or Quick Actions work well. For batch processing and maximum convenience, our online tool offers the fastest solution with zero installation required. Try it today and convert your HEIC files to JPG in seconds!

Ready to convert? Visit our HEIC to JPG converter now and experience hassle-free conversion on your Mac!