How to Convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone (No App Needed)
Method 1: Copy and Paste
The simplest trick: open the photo in the Photos app, tap Share, then Copy Photo. Now paste it into Mail, Notes, Messages, or any app — the pasted version is automatically converted to JPG. This works because iOS converts to the most compatible format when using the clipboard.
Method 2: Use the Files App
Open the photo in Photos, tap Share → Save to Files. Open the Files app, find the photo. Long-press the photo and select Quick Actions → Convert Image. Choose JPG and a quality level. The iPhone creates a JPG copy right there in Files. This is a built-in feature as of iOS 16 — no third-party app required.
Method 3: Email It to Yourself
Share the photo via Mail and send it to yourself. When attaching the photo, the iPhone converts it to JPG automatically. Open the email on any device and save the attachment. Not the most elegant solution, but it works reliably on any iOS version.
Method 4: Change Camera Settings
To stop taking HEIC photos entirely: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. All future photos will be JPG. Existing photos remain as HEIC. The trade-off: JPG files are roughly twice the size, so you'll use more storage. For most people, the copy-paste method or Files app conversion is better since you keep the storage savings of HEIC.
Batch Converting Multiple Photos
For converting many photos at once, the Files app method supports multiple selection. Select all photos in the Files app, right-click (long-press) → Quick Actions → Convert Image → JPG. For hundreds or thousands of photos, use CocoConvert in Safari — upload them all at once and download converted JPGs as a zip file.