How to Convert HEIC to JPG on a Mac
Need a JPEG version of an HEIC photo on your Mac? For a few files, use Finder’s Convert Image Quick Action. Preview is useful when you want to choose the output location or adjust JPEG quality. Both are built into macOS, so you do not need an online converter for this basic task.
Updated November 7, 2026. Menu names may vary slightly by macOS version. Before a large batch, test the process on a copy of one photo.
Convert HEIC to JPEG in Finder
- In Finder, select the HEIC image or images you want to convert.
- Control-click the selection and look for Quick Actions (or More in Finder’s Preview pane), then choose Convert Image.
- Choose JPEG as the format. Review any image-size option before confirming, especially if you need full-size copies.
- Check the resulting files in Finder. Compare one JPEG with its HEIC source before processing the rest of a large collection.
Apple documents this Quick Action, including conversion of an iPhone HEIC image to JPEG or PNG, in its Finder Quick Actions guide. If the action is missing, check the Quick Actions or Extensions settings described there. Do not delete the HEIC originals until you have checked that the new files meet your needs.
Convert with Preview when you want more control
- Open the HEIC image in Preview.
- Choose File → Export.
- Choose JPEG in the Format menu. If a quality control appears, select a level appropriate for your use.
- Choose a new filename or location, then save. Open the exported JPEG to confirm it looks right.
For several images, Apple says you can open them in one Preview window, select them in its sidebar, and follow the export steps. See Apple’s Preview conversion instructions. The exact dialog and output options may differ between macOS releases.
What changes when you export a JPEG?
JPEG is widely accepted by older apps, websites, and services, but conversion is not a quality upgrade. The output size and appearance depend on the quality and size settings you choose. Keep the original HEIC file if you may want to edit the photo or export it differently later. If you are preparing images for a website, conversion alone does not replace sensible dimensions and file-size checks; see our website performance guide for the broader page-speed context.
When should you use Automator?
The original version of this article showed a custom Automator Quick Action. That can still be useful for a repeatable workflow, but action names and permissions can vary by macOS release. For a one-time conversion or a small batch, start with Apple’s documented Finder or Preview methods above. If you build an Automator workflow, test it on copies before letting it handle your photo library.
Quick checklist
- Use Finder Quick Actions for a fast conversion of selected images.
- Use Preview if you need to choose the export location or adjust JPEG quality.
- Check one output file before converting a large batch.
- Retain the HEIC originals until the JPEGs have been verified.
