Introduction
Since the release of iOS 11, Apple has been adopting a new photo format called HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Format) which is aimed at reducing the size of photos without any loss of quality. HEIC images take up less storage space on your device, allowing you to take more photos than you could before. In this article, we will explore how to convert HEIC to JPG on Mac so that they can be easily shared with others who might not be using Apple devices.
Benefits of HEIC vs JPG
One of the major benefits of using HEIC instead of JPG is that it offers better image quality at smaller file sizes. This means that you can store more photos on your device without worrying about running out of storage space. Additionally, HEIC images can store multiple images in a single file, which makes it easy to organize your photos and share them with others.
Drawbacks of HEIC
Although there are several benefits to using HEIC, there can be some drawbacks as well. One of the biggest downsides is that not all devices and software are compatible with HEIC images. This can make it difficult to share your photos with others who are not using Apple devices. Another drawback is that HEIC images can be more difficult to edit than JPG images, since not all software supports HEIC.
Why someone might want to convert their HEIC files to JPG
There are several reasons why someone might want to convert their HEIC files to JPG on their Mac. The most common reason is that they want to share their photos with someone who doesn’t have an Apple device. Since not all devices are compatible with HEIC, converting the photos to JPG will ensure that they can be viewed on any device. Another reason to convert HEIC to JPG might be to make it easier to edit the photos. While the new Photos app on Mac supports HEIC, not all editing software does.
Online Converters
There are several online converters available that allow you to easily convert your HEIC files to JPG without downloading any software. While online converters can be convenient, there are also some downsides to using them.
Pros and cons of using online converters vs dedicated apps or software
One of the biggest benefits of using an online converter is that you don’t need to install any software on your computer. This can be particularly useful if you’re using a computer that you don’t have administrative access to. Additionally, online converters are often free to use, which can be beneficial if you only need to convert a small number of files. However, there are also some downsides to using online converters. One of the biggest is that they can be unreliable, particularly if you’re dealing with sensitive or confidential information. Furthermore, online converters often have limitations on the size of files that can be converted, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to convert a large number of photos at once.
Examples of popular online converters
Here are some of the most popular online converters for converting HEIC to JPG:
Pros and cons of each online converter
While there are many online converters available, they don’t always perform equally well. Therefore, it’s important to evaluate the pros and cons of each converter before you decide which one to use.
- CloudConvert: CloudConvert is an easy-to-use converter that offers a wide range of output formats, including JPG. However, the free version of the software has a limit of 25 conversions per day.
- HEICtoJPG: HEICtoJPG is a simple and straightforward converter that is completely free to use. However, it can only convert one file at a time.
- Convertio: Convertio is a powerful converter that supports many different formats, including HEIC and JPG. However, the free version of the software has a limit of 100MB per conversion.
Dedicated Apps
If you need to convert a large number of HEIC files to JPG on a regular basis, you might want to consider using a dedicated app. There are several apps available for Mac that make it easy to convert HEIC files to JPG.
Benefits of using an app vs an online converter or manually converting files
One of the biggest benefits of using an app to convert HEIC files to JPG is that it can be much faster than using an online converter or manually converting files. Additionally, dedicated apps often offer more features than online converters do, which can be beneficial if you need to edit or organize your photos in a specific way.
Examples of popular apps
Here are some of the most popular apps for converting HEIC to JPG on Mac:
Using Preview on Mac
If you only need to convert one or two HEIC files to JPG, you can use the Preview app that comes with your Mac. Here’s how:
Detailed step-by-step guide for using Preview to convert a HEIC file to JPG
- Open the HEIC file in Preview.
- Click on “File” in the top menu bar, then select “Export.”
- In the Export dialog box, select “JPEG” as the format.
- Adjust the quality level if desired.
- Choose a destination folder for your converted file.
- Click “Save.”
Screenshots for easier understanding
Using Automator to Batch-Convert HEIC Files to JPG
If you have a large number of HEIC files that you want to convert to JPG, you can use the Automator app on your Mac to batch-convert them. Here’s how:
Explanation of how to use Automator to batch-convert HEIC files to JPG
- Open “Automator” on your Mac.
- Select “New Document.”
- Select “Application.”
- Search for and add the “Change Type of Images” action.
- Select “JPEG” as the output format.
- Save the application.
- Drag and drop your HEIC files onto the application to convert them to JPG.
Step-by-step guide with screenshots.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for converting HEIC to JPG on your Mac:
How to make the conversion process faster
If you need to convert a lot of HEIC files to JPG, you can speed up the process by using an app or an Automator workflow. These options allow you to convert multiple files at once, which can save you a lot of time.
How to organize and protect your photos after conversion
After you’ve converted your HEIC files to JPG, it’s important to organize them in a way that makes sense to you. If you’re concerned about the security of your photos, you might want to consider using an app like Boxcryptor to encrypt and protect them.
Related topics like importing and exporting photos on Mac or recovering lost files.
If you’re interested in learning more about managing your photos on your Mac, there are several related topics that you might want to explore. For example, you might want to learn more about importing and exporting photos, managing your iCloud storage, or recovering lost files.
Conclusion
Converting HEIC files to JPG on your Mac is easy and can be done in several ways, depending on your needs. Whether you choose to use an online converter, a dedicated app, or the built-in Preview app or Automator, the process is simple and straightforward. By following the steps and tips provided in this article, you’ll be able to convert your HEIC files to JPG in no time.
