HEIC vs JPG: which format should you use?
HEIC is more efficient; JPG is more compatible. Here is a plain comparison, and a simple rule for choosing.
Updated · 2 min read
HEIC vs JPG at a glance
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| File size for similar visual quality | Smaller – often around half | Larger |
| Compression | Lossy (HEVC) | Lossy (DCT) |
| Bit depth | Supports more than 8 bits per channel | 8 bits per channel |
| Multiple images in one file | Yes (Live Photos, bursts) | No |
| Transparency | Supported by the format | No |
| Compatibility | Apple devices; other systems often need extra software | Virtually everything |
| Introduced | 2017 in iOS 11 (standard from MPEG) | 1992 |
| Best for | Storing photos on an iPhone | Sharing, uploading, printing |
File size
Apple says HEIF and HEVC provide better compression than JPEG and H.264 while preserving the same visual quality. Independent comparisons commonly find HEIC photos are around half the size of comparable JPGs, though the exact saving depends on the scene and the settings. The benefit is storage: you can keep roughly twice as many photos on a device or in iCloud.
Image quality
Both formats are lossy, and at typical settings the difference is not visible in everyday viewing. HEIC can hold more colour information because it is not limited to 8 bits per channel, which matters mainly for editing high-dynamic-range photos. The format is more efficient, so at the same file size HEIC tends to look slightly cleaner than JPG.
Compatibility
This is where JPG wins. Every browser, phone, editing program, print service and upload form accepts JPG. HEIC works natively on Apple devices, needs extensions on Windows (details), works on recent Android versions and is rejected by many websites.
Which should you use?
- Keep HEIC as the format your iPhone saves, if you mostly view photos on Apple devices and want to save storage.
- Convert to JPG when you copy photos to a Windows PC, upload them to a website, send them to someone who cannot open HEIC, or take them to a print shop.
- Choose PNG only for lossless editing copies, and WebP for photos you will publish on a website.
- Keep the HEIC original even after converting, so you always have the full-fidelity version.
How to switch between them
To convert existing photos, use the HEIC to JPG converter. To make the camera save JPEG, choose Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible; this affects only new photos and is covered in how to stop your iPhone taking HEIC photos.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about HEIC files, privacy and conversion.
Is HEIC higher quality than JPG?
Not automatically. At the same file size HEIC usually looks a little better, and at the same visual quality it is usually smaller. At high quality settings the two look the same in normal viewing.
Should I change my iPhone to JPG?
Only if you regularly hit compatibility problems. The HEIC setting saves storage, and iOS often converts photos to a compatible format when you share them.
Does WhatsApp or email send HEIC?
Behaviour depends on the app and how you share the photo. Many apps receive a compatible version from iOS, but copying original files from the phone keeps them as HEIC.