Why Can't I Open HEIC Photos on Windows?
Why iPhone photos will not open on a Windows PC, and four ways to fix it.
Why it happens
iPhones save photos as HEIC by default. HEIC files are about half the size of a JPG at the same quality, which is why Apple uses them. The image inside is compressed with HEVC, the same codec used for video.
Windows does not include HEVC. Microsoft's own Store listing for the HEIF Image Extensions says the HEVC Video Extensions package must also be installed to view images in .heic files. Without both, the Photos app shows an error or asks you to download an extension, and many other programs, websites and upload forms refuse the file.
Fix 1: Convert the photos you already have
If you only need a few photos to open, upload or email, convert them to JPG. The HEIC to JPG converter runs in your browser, so family photos and ID pictures are never uploaded anywhere, and it handles many photos at once.
Fix 2: Install the two Microsoft Store extensions
Install HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. After both are installed, the Photos app and File Explorer thumbnails can show HEIC. The HEVC package is a separate Store download and is often not free, and on many work PCs the Store is blocked, so this route does not work for everyone.
Fix 3: Have the iPhone send JPG to the PC
On the iPhone, open Settings, Photos, and under Transfer to Mac or PC choose Automatic. Photos copied over a USB cable are then converted to JPG on the way. This only affects cable transfers; photos sent by AirDrop, cloud storage or email can still arrive as HEIC.
Fix 4: Stop taking HEIC photos
On the iPhone, open Settings, Camera, Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos are saved as JPG from then on. They take up more space on the phone, and photos you already took stay HEIC.
Which fix to use
For a handful of photos you need right now, convert them. If you move iPhone photos to this PC often and can install Store apps, install the extensions. If you send photos to forms and websites all the time, switch the camera to Most Compatible.
Questions
Is HEIC worse quality than JPG?
No. At the same file size HEIC usually looks better. The problem is compatibility, not quality.
Why does a website say my photo is the wrong format?
Many upload forms only accept JPG or PNG. Convert the HEIC photo to JPG first.
Will converting to JPG lose quality?
A little, as with any JPG, but at normal quality settings the difference is not visible. The file will be larger than the HEIC original.
Does the converter upload my photos?
No. Conversion happens in your browser and the photos never leave your device.
Related tools
Apple and Microsoft change menu names and Store packages. The steps here were checked against Microsoft's Store listing and current iOS settings in September 2026. Nearlimit is not affiliated with Apple or Microsoft.