How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac

Why Convert HEIC on Mac?

Your Mac can open and display HEIC files natively, so you might wonder why you would ever need to convert them. The answer comes down to sharing. When you send a HEIC photo to someone on Windows, attach it to an email for a colleague, upload it to a website that only accepts JPG, or submit images to a print service, you need a universally compatible format. JPG remains the standard that works everywhere.

Here are three methods to convert HEIC to JPG on your Mac, from the simplest to the most powerful.

Method 1: Using Preview (Single Files)

The Preview app is built into every Mac and handles basic HEIC-to-JPG conversion without any additional software.

1. Open the HEIC file in Preview (double-click it or right-click and choose "Open With > Preview").
2. Click File in the menu bar, then select Export.
3. In the Format dropdown, choose JPEG.
4. Adjust the Quality slider to your preference. A setting around 85% offers a good balance between quality and file size.
5. Choose a save location and click Save.

This method works well for one or two files, but it becomes tedious quickly when you have a larger number of images to convert.

Method 2: Using Automator (Batch Conversion)

For converting multiple files at once, Automator lets you create a reusable workflow directly on your Mac.

1. Open Automator from your Applications folder.
2. Select Quick Action as the document type.
3. Set "Workflow receives current" to image files in Finder.
4. From the actions library on the left, drag Change Type of Images into the workflow area.
5. Select JPEG as the output type.
6. Save the workflow with a memorable name like "Convert to JPG."

Now you can right-click any selection of HEIC files in Finder, go to Quick Actions, and choose your "Convert to JPG" workflow. Automator will process every selected file automatically.

While powerful, Automator has some limitations. You cannot easily adjust quality settings per conversion, the interface can feel unintuitive, and the workflow only runs on your Mac. If you are on a different computer or want more control over the output, there is a faster option.

Method 3: Browser-Based Converter (Fastest and Most Flexible)

Our free HEIC2PIC works in any browser on your Mac and offers the most flexibility for both single and batch conversions.

1. Open the HEIC2PIC in Safari, Chrome, or any other browser.
2. Drag and drop your HEIC files into the converter area, or click to browse and select files.
3. Choose your output format: JPG, PNG, or WebP.
4. Adjust the quality slider to control file size and image quality.
5. Click convert, then download your files individually or as a ZIP archive.

This method has several advantages over Preview and Automator:

• Multiple output formats: Choose between JPG, PNG, and WebP instead of being locked into one.
• Quality control: Fine-tune the quality slider for each batch.
• Batch processing with ZIP download: Convert dozens of files and download them all in one archive.
• Privacy-safe: All conversion happens locally in your browser. Your photos are never uploaded to any server.
• No setup required: There is nothing to install or configure.

Which Method Should You Choose?

For occasional single-file conversions, Preview is perfectly fine. If you convert files regularly and want a right-click option, set up an Automator workflow. For everything else, especially batch jobs or when you want control over quality and format, the browser-based converter is the fastest and most versatile solution.

Convert Your HEIC Files Now

Head over to our free HEIC2PIC and convert your Mac photos to JPG in seconds. No installation, no account, and complete privacy.