HEIC vs JPEG: what's the difference?
If photos from your iPhone will not open after you copy them to a computer, HEIC is usually the reason. HEIC and JPEG are both formats for storing photos, but they come from different eras and have different strengths and weaknesses.
1. The differences at a glance
| JPEG | In use since the early 1990s. Opens on almost every device, browser, program and website. |
|---|---|
| HEIC | A file in the newer HEIF image format using HEVC compression. iPhone has used it by default since iOS 11. |
| File size | At similar quality, HEIC is much smaller than JPEG, often quoted as about half the size. |
| What it can hold | One HEIC file can hold several images plus extras such as depth information, which suits features like Portrait mode and Live Photos. |
2. Compatibility problems
HEIC's biggest drawback is that it still does not open everywhere.
- Windows: recent versions of Windows often open HEIC directly, but on some PCs you need to install HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. The HEVC extension has been sold as a paid download.
- Browsers: Safari can display HEIC, but Chrome and many other browsers often cannot. That is why PhotoBookInfo shows a notice instead of a HEIC preview in Chrome. Reading the metadata still works normally.
- Website uploads: some sites refuse HEIC uploads, or accept them and convert them to JPEG.
To reduce these problems, iPhone sometimes converts photos to JPEG when sending them to other devices. You can tell which format arrived from the received file's extension.
3. What happens to location data
Shooting information, including location, goes into HEIC and JPEG files alike. Changing the format does not automatically remove it. Converting HEIC to JPEG often copies the information across unchanged, so do not assume a converted photo is clean.
PhotoBookInfo can read HEIC metadata and show you the location. However, browsers cannot re-save HEIC, so Save clean copy works without quality loss only for JPEG and PNG. For HEIC photos, remove location using your phone's share options instead.
4. Which format to choose
When HEIC is better
If you mostly view your photos on iPhone, Mac and iCloud and want to save storage, HEIC is a good choice. You can fit far more photos in the same space.
When JPEG is better
If you often share photos with Windows PCs, other people's Android phones and all sorts of websites, JPEG is easier. On iPhone, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose Most Compatible to save new photos as JPEG. On many Galaxy models, the camera settings have a High efficiency pictures option (under Advanced picture options) that turns HEIF saving on or off.
Another good approach is to keep the HEIC photos you already have and convert to JPEG only when sending them to someone. Be aware that ordinary converters often carry the location data across.
PhotoBookInfo's HEIC to JPEG converter works inside your browser without sending the photo to a server, and saves the JPEG without location or other shooting information.
Check what your photo is carryingPhotoBookInfo reads photos inside your browser and never uploads them. It tells you if a location is stored and makes a clean copy for you.
Check a photo