HEIC vs JPEG on iPhone
Save storage without sacrificing quality. Learn when to use HEIC, when JPEG still makes sense, and how to convert safely.
Quick Comparison
HEIC Advantages
- • ~50-70% smaller files vs JPEG at similar quality
- • Supports depth, HDR, and wide color
- • Ideal for iPhone, iPad, and modern Macs
JPEG Advantages
- • Universal compatibility (legacy devices)
- • Good for websites that require JPEG uploads
- • Familiar workflows and tooling everywhere
When to Prefer HEIC
- You primarily use iPhone, iPad, and modern macOS/Windows 10+.
- You want to reduce photo storage by 50-70% without visible quality loss.
- You capture HDR or Portrait mode photos with depth data.
When to Prefer JPEG
- Sharing with older devices, apps, or printers that don’t support HEIC.
- Uploading to services that only accept JPEG.
- Submitting photos to organizations that require JPEG workflows.
Safe Conversion and Compression
- Batch compress existing HEIC photos to reclaim space.
- Convert legacy JPEGs to HEIC to cut size on older albums.
- Preserve EXIF, location, and Live Photo data where available.