How to Convert HEIC to JPG in Google Photos (2025 Fix)
Did you download your iPhone backup from Google Photos only to find hundreds of .HEIC files that won't open on your PC? This guide explains why this happens and how to convert them to JPG quickly.
Key Takeaways:
- Google Photos stores the "Original" file format (HEIC) to save quality.
- Downloading via browser often results in HEIC files.
- The fastest fix is using a bulk converter after downloading.
Why does Google Photos download as HEIC?
When you back up photos from an iPhone to Google Photos, they are uploaded in their native format (HEIC) to preserve metadata and "Live Photo" features. Google does not automatically convert them to JPG when you hit "Download" to ensure you get the original quality.
Option 1: Use HeicPro (Best for Bulk Downloads)
If you have downloaded a ZIP file from Google Takeout or Google Photos containing thousands of HEIC files, this is the fastest method.
- Unzip your Google Photos download folder.
- Go to the HeicPro Converter.
- Select all your HEIC files (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A) and drag them into the tool.
- Wait for the secure local conversion and click "Download All".
Option 2: The "Edit" Trick (One by One)
If you only need a single photo, you can force Google Photos to convert it within the browser.
- Open the photo in Google Photos on your web browser.
- Right-click the image and select "Save Image As..."
- Often, the browser will save the displayed version as a JPG or WEBP.
- Note: This is slow and not suitable for bulk backups.
How to prevent this in the future?
To stop Google Photos from saving HEIC files in the future, you must change the setting on the source device (your iPhone).
Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose Most Compatible. This forces your iPhone to take JPG photos, which Google Photos will then upload as JPG.