How to Stop iPhone from Saving Photos as HEIC and Use JPG Instead

If your iPhone saves photos in HEIC and you'd rather use JPG, this guide walks you through changing the camera settings and explains the trade-offs between the two formats.

How to Switch iPhone Photos to JPG

Change the Camera Format

1. Open the Settings app
2. Tap Camera
3. Tap Formats
4. Select Most Compatible

That's it — all future photos will be saved as JPG.

Change the Transfer Format Only

If you want to keep shooting in HEIC but automatically get JPGs when transferring to a PC:

1. Go to Settings → Photos
2. Scroll to the bottom
3. Under Transfer to Mac or PC, select "Automatic"

With "Automatic," files are converted to JPG on the fly whenever the receiving device doesn't support HEIC.

"Most Compatible" vs. "High Efficiency" Comparison

Advantages of Saving as JPG

1. Universal Compatibility

JPG is supported by virtually every device and application, so you never need to convert before sharing photos or uploading to websites.

2. Hassle-Free Printing

Most photo printing services and greeting card services accept JPG only, so you skip the conversion step entirely.

3. Works with Older Software

Some older versions of Photoshop and other image editors don't support HEIC. JPG opens reliably everywhere.

Disadvantages of Saving as JPG

1. Storage Usage Roughly Doubles

The same number of photos takes about twice the storage in JPG. On a 128 GB iPhone, HEIC stores around 30,000 photos compared to roughly 15,000 in JPG.

2. Video File Sizes Increase Too

Selecting "Most Compatible" also switches video from HEVC (H.265) to H.264, significantly increasing video file sizes.

3. Potential Impact on HDR Photo Quality

HEIC supports 16-bit color while JPG is limited to 8-bit. HDR photos may show slightly reduced dynamic range in JPG.

Choosing the Right Setting

"Most Compatible" (JPG) Is Best If You:

• Frequently share photos with Windows or Android users
• Regularly upload photos to websites or blogs
• Have ample iPhone storage (256 GB or more)
• Want zero conversion hassle

"High Efficiency" (HEIC) + Convert When Needed Is Best If You:

• Have limited iPhone storage (64–128 GB)
• Take lots of photos and videos
• Primarily use Apple devices (Mac, iPad)
• Only occasionally need JPG

When you do need JPG, sakutto's HEIC converter makes it easy.

What About Photos Taken Before the Change?

Changing to "Most Compatible" only affects future photos. Existing HEIC photos remain as-is. To convert them to JPG, use a HEIC-to-JPG conversion tool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does changing the setting convert my existing photos to JPG?

No. The setting only applies to photos taken after the change. Existing HEIC photos remain unchanged. Use a HEIC-to-JPG converter to convert older photos.

Will "Most Compatible" mode use more iCloud storage?

Yes. Since JPG files are larger than HEIC, your iCloud storage usage will increase. Consider your iCloud storage plan if you use iCloud Photos.

Is there a visible quality difference between the two settings?

Both capture at the same resolution. HEIC is slightly better at the same file size, but in everyday use — viewing on screen or printing — the difference is virtually unnoticeable.

Does the setting also change the video format?

Yes. "High Efficiency" saves video as HEVC (H.265), while "Most Compatible" saves video as H.264. H.264 is more widely supported but produces larger files.

Can I switch back at any time?

Yes. Follow the same steps and select "High Efficiency." Photos taken after the switch will use HEIC again — previously captured JPG photos are not affected.

Summary

Switching your iPhone's photo format to JPG takes just two taps in Settings. Choose based on whether you prioritize compatibility or storage savings. Keeping HEIC and converting only when needed is also an efficient approach.