How to convert HEIC photos to JPG on a Mac

howtosimply.com/guides/how-to-convert-heic-photos-to-jpg-on-a-mac/ · Checked 3 October 2026 · MacBook Pro · macOS Tahoe 26

2 of 4 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS Tahoe 26 (MacBook Pro)

App

Finder

Real screenshots

2 of 4 steps

Checked

3 October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. 

   Select the photos in Finder

   Hold Command and click to select several.

   Done

2. 

   Right-click and choose Quick Actions, Convert Image

   A small window appears.

   Done

3. Choose JPEG and the image size

   Actual Size keeps full quality. Large, Medium or Small make the file lighter for email or upload forms.

   Done

4. Click Convert to JPEG

   JPG copies are created in the same folder. The HEIC originals are kept.

   Done

About this guide

iPhones save photos in the HEIC format, which takes half the space of JPG. Many websites and older programs do not accept it. A Mac converts them in seconds.

Good to know

From the Photos app: select the photos and choose File, Export, Export Photos, with Photo Kind set to JPEG.

To stop the iPhone from making HEIC files in the first place, open Settings, Camera, Formats on the phone and choose Most Compatible.

Have a lot of photos to send? Make each file smaller as well: how to resize an image on a Mac with Preview.

To always open HEIC or JPG files in a different app: how to change which app opens a file type on a Mac.

In short: Finder: select photos > right-click > Quick Actions > Convert Image > Format: JPEG > Image Size > Convert to JPEG.

📷 Camera Lab: the same 6 scenes photographed with 11 phones, side by side.