What HEIC is and why it causes trouble
HEIC is the image file format iPhones and iPads use by default. It stores photos with a modern compression method that keeps quality high while making files smaller than a typical JPG. The catch is compatibility. Many websites, older versions of Windows, some editing programs and a lot of upload forms do not open HEIC files.
PNG is the opposite kind of format. It is lossless and supported nearly everywhere. Converting HEIC to PNG decodes the photo and writes it out as a standard PNG that any program can read. The conversion itself does not add new compression loss, but be aware that the HEIC already contained compression, and the PNG will not bring back anything that was lost earlier.
When PNG is the right target
Choose PNG when you plan to edit the photo several times, place it in a design file, or need to avoid another round of lossy saving. It is also handy when a system accepts only PNG and rejects both HEIC and JPG.
Expect the file to be much bigger. A PNG of a photo can be many times larger than the HEIC it came from, because the smart compression of HEIC is replaced with lossless storage. If you only need something to share or email, HEIC to JPG produces smaller files, and you can always shrink further with the image compressor.
If you later need a JPG after all, you can go from the PNG using PNG to JPG.
How to convert a HEIC photo to PNG
- Drag a HEIC or HEIF file onto the upload area, or click to choose one. The picker filters for .heic and .heif files.
- The file name and size are shown.
- Click Convert to PNG. The button shows "Converting..." while it works. The conversion library is loaded the first time you press the button.
- Check the preview that appears below.
- Click Download to save it. The file keeps your original name with a .png extension.
- Click Start over to convert a different photo.
The tool handles one file at a time. The conversion runs in your browser, so the photo is not uploaded to a server.
Tips and troubleshooting
If you see an error saying the file could not be converted, make sure it is really a HEIC or HEIF image. Files renamed from other formats, or photos that were not fully downloaded from a phone or cloud service, can fail.
Photos can be several megapixels, so conversion may take a few seconds, particularly on older devices. Wait for the preview before downloading.
Metadata such as location may or may not survive conversion, so do not assume it is removed. If privacy matters before sharing, check the result with the EXIF remover.