How to Open and Convert HEIC Files on Windows

You plug in your iPhone, copy photos to your Windows PC, and... nothing opens. Windows shows broken thumbnails. Photoshop doesn't recognize the files. What's going on?

Why iPhones Use HEIC

Since iOS 11, iPhones save photos in HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) format by default. HEIC uses the HEVC (H.265) codec for images, achieving:

• 50% smaller file sizes compared to JPEG at similar quality
• Support for 16-bit color depth (vs. JPEG's 8-bit)
• Support for transparency (like PNG)
• Multiple images in one file (Live Photos, burst shots)

It's genuinely a better format — the problem is Windows support.

The Windows Compatibility Problem

While Windows 10/11 can technically display HEIC files if you install the "HEVC Video Extensions" from the Microsoft Store ($0.99), many applications still can't open them. And if you need to share these photos with others, JPEG remains the universal language.

Converting HEIC to JPG

With Filoshi, the process is dead simple:

1. Drag your HEIC files (or entire folder) into the app
2. All files auto-detect as images with JPG as the default output
3. Click Convert — done in seconds

Everything happens offline on your machine. No uploading your personal photos to a random website.

Should You Change Your iPhone Settings?

You can force your iPhone to shoot in JPEG instead (Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible), but you'll lose the storage savings and quality advantages of HEIC. A better approach: keep shooting HEIC and convert only when needed.