How to Open HEIC Files on Windows
A .heic file is an iPhone photo, and Windows often can’t open it without a paid codec. The reliable fix is to convert it to JPG or PNG — here’s how.
TL;DR
Windows 10 and 11 only open .heic files if Apple’s HEVC codec is installed — and it’s often a paid add-on. Instead of fighting the codec, install the free HEIC Converter trial, add your photos, and convert them to JPG or PNG locally, in bulk, with nothing uploaded.
How to convert HEIC to JPG or PNG — step by step
Install HEIC Converter (free trial)
Get it from the Microsoft Store or the offline installer for Windows 10/11. The trial opens and converts up to 15 photos free.
Add the .heic photos you can’t open
Drag in individual .heic and .heif files or a whole folder. The app finds every photo, even ones with missing or wrong extensions.
Choose JPG or PNG
Pick JPG for small, universally compatible files, or PNG for lossless quality. You can output both at once.
Convert and open the result
Click Convert and open the new file in Photos, a browser, or any app. The original .heic stays untouched, and nothing was uploaded.
Why won’t my .heic file open on Windows?
A .heic file is a photo saved in Apple’s High Efficiency Image format — the default on modern iPhones. Windows can only display it if Microsoft’s HEVC Video Extensions codec is installed, which is frequently a paid add-on and still leaves many apps unable to open the file.
Rather than buying and troubleshooting codecs, the dependable fix is to convert the photos to JPG or PNG. Those formats open in every Windows app, website, and printer with no extra software — and HEIC Converter converts a whole folder of them at once, entirely offline.
Private, unlike online HEIC converters
A "free online HEIC to JPG or PNG converter" means uploading your photos to someone else's server — and many of those sites' terms let them store your images or use them to train AI. HEIC Converter runs entirely on your Windows PC: your photos are converted locally and never leave your machine. It also handles hundreds of files in one batch, which no upload-one-file-at-a-time website can match.
The free trial converts up to 15 photos with every feature enabled — for most people that's the whole job. Larger libraries are covered by a one-time $19.95 lifetime license. No subscription, no watermarks, no uploads.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free way to convert HEIC to JPG?
Yes. The free trial of HEIC Converter converts up to 15 files with full features — no signup and no watermarks. For unlimited conversions, a lifetime license is a one-time $19.95 (no subscription).
Is this an online converter? Are my photos uploaded or used for AI training?
No. HEIC Converter is a Windows desktop app — every conversion runs 100% locally on your PC. Your photos are never uploaded, stored, or used to train AI, unlike many "free" online converters whose terms allow exactly that.
Can I convert an entire folder of HEIC photos to JPG at once?
Yes. Drag in a folder (HEIC Converter scans subfolders recursively), choose JPG, and it batch-converts everything — hundreds of photos in seconds, processed in parallel.
Does it support HEIF files too, not just HEIC?
Yes. HEIC and HEIF are the same underlying format and share the .heic and .heif extensions. HEIC Converter opens and converts both.
Can Windows 10 or 11 open HEIC files without any extra software?
Not reliably. Windows needs Microsoft’s HEVC codec (often a paid add-on) to display .heic files, and support is inconsistent across apps. Converting to JPG or PNG removes the dependency — the photos just open everywhere.
What’s the difference between HEIC and HEIF?
They’re the same underlying format and share the .heic and .heif extensions — HEIC is Apple’s name for it. HEIC Converter opens and converts both.
Related
Open your iPhone photos on Windows today
Free trial opens and converts 15 photos — offline, no watermarks, nothing uploaded.
Free trial
Full app features - up to 15 files
Windows 10 or 11
Same free trial whether you use the Microsoft Store or the offline MSI - pick the option that fits your PC or IT policy.
| Microsoft Store InstallerRecommended | Local Windows Installer |
|---|---|
Download Installer Same trial as Store |
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