How to open HEIC files on Windows

HEIC photos from iPhones don’t always open on Windows. Here’s how to view them and convert them if needed.

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default image format used by recent iPhones and iPads. While HEIC offers excellent image quality at smaller file sizes, it’s not natively supported by older versions of Windows. If you try to open a .heic photo on Windows and see an error, don’t worry – there are simple ways to view or convert the file.

Option 1: Install the HEIF Image Extensions

On Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft offers a free extension called HEIF Image Extensions. You can find it in the Microsoft Store. Once installed, Windows Photos and other apps can open HEIC files directly.

Steps:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store on your PC.
  2. Search for HEIF Image Extensions.
  3. Click Install and wait for the extension to finish installing.
  4. Double‑click your HEIC file. It should now open in the Photos app.

Option 2: Convert HEIC to a compatible format

If you don’t want to install anything, you can convert HEIC images to JPG or PNG. JPG is widely supported and works with all email clients, web services and editors. Our HEIC to JPG converter makes this process quick and private.

Steps:

  1. Go to our HEIC to JPG converter.
  2. Drag and drop your HEIC photos or click browse to select them.
  3. Click Convert to JPG. The converted files will download to your device.
  4. Open the JPG files on Windows – they’ll work just like any other image.

You can also choose our HEIC to PNG converter if you prefer that format. The steps are the same – just select the appropriate tool.

Why convert HEIC to JPG?

  • Compatibility: JPG opens on any device or operating system.
  • Easy sharing: Upload JPGs to websites, email attachments and social networks without issues.
  • File size: HEIC files are already small, but converting to JPG often keeps the size manageable without losing quality for everyday use.

We hope this guide helps you open HEIC files on Windows. For more information about image formats and conversions, check out our Image Formats Explained article and the rest of our blog.