HEIC to PNG Converter
Convert Apple's HEIC photos into PNG files with full quality and transparency preserved — ideal for editing and design work.
What Is HEIC?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default photo format on iPhones and iPads since iOS 11. It uses the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) standard, which delivers the same visual quality as JPG at roughly half the file size.
Apple adopted HEIC because it saves significant storage space on devices. The format also supports features like Live Photos, depth maps, and transparency.
Why Convert to PNG?
PNG is a lossless format supported by virtually every device, app, and image editor. Unlike converting to JPG, converting HEIC to PNG doesn't throw away any visible detail — and it fully preserves any transparency your HEIC photo carries, which JPG cannot.
How This Tool Works
This converter runs entirely in your browser. When you drop a HEIC file onto the page, it is decoded and re-encoded as a PNG image — all in your device's memory. Your photo is never uploaded to any server.
HEIC vs PNG — When to Use Each
| Feature | HEIC | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Smaller | Larger, lossless |
| Image quality | Excellent at low file sizes | Maximum — no detail is lost |
| Transparency | Supported | Supported |
| Animation | Supported (like Live Photos) | Not supported |
| Compatibility | Apple devices only | Universal — works everywhere |
| Web browsers | Limited support | Supported by all browsers |
| Editing support | Limited (few editors support it) | Universal |
Keep HEIC When
- Storing photos on your iPhone or iPad
- Saving space on Apple devices
- Working within the Apple ecosystem (AirDrop, iCloud, Mac)
- You need Live Photo or depth map data
Convert to PNG When
- You need to preserve transparency at full quality
- You're editing in Photoshop, GIMP, or other non-Apple editors
- You want a lossless archival copy with no compression artifacts
- Uploading to websites or platforms that reject HEIC
- Transferring photos to Windows or Android devices
Common Scenarios for HEIC to PNG Conversion
Preserving Transparency for Design Work
Some HEIC photos — portrait mode shots, edited stickers — include transparency. PNG is the safest format to preserve that transparency when moving the image into a design tool.
Archiving Photos Long-Term
If you're keeping a converted photo as a long-term archival copy, PNG's lossless compression means no visual detail is lost, unlike converting to JPG. Once you have the final archived copy, our Hash Generator can produce a checksum so you can confirm later that the file hasn't changed.
Editing in Photoshop, GIMP, or Other Editors
Not every editor opens HEIC directly, but virtually all of them handle PNG without issue. Converting first avoids compatibility problems before you start editing.
Uploading to Websites and Platforms That Reject HEIC
Some websites and content platforms reject HEIC uploads outright. PNG is universally accepted and keeps full image quality intact.
Windows and Android Users Who Need Full Quality
When quality matters more than file size — a graphic asset, a screenshot-quality image — PNG avoids the small quality loss that comes with converting to JPG.
Other Ways to Convert HEIC to PNG
You can also convert HEIC to PNG using your device's built-in photo viewer (File → Export or Save As), or an image editor like GIMP or Photoshop. FileCast is useful when you want a quick conversion without opening a separate app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to convert my photos here?
Yes. This tool processes your files entirely in your browser. Your photos are never uploaded to a server — the conversion happens in your device's memory. When you close the tab, all data is gone.
Does converting to PNG reduce image quality?
No. PNG is a lossless format, so no visible detail is lost during conversion. The pixels in your PNG will match the original HEIC photo exactly.
What happens to transparency in my HEIC image?
PNG fully supports transparency, so any transparent areas in your HEIC image will carry over into the PNG without being filled in.
Will the file size increase after conversion?
Usually, yes. HEIC's compression is more aggressive than PNG's lossless compression, so PNG files are typically larger. The exact amount depends on how much detail is in the photo.
Can I convert multiple HEIC files at once?
Currently, this tool converts one file at a time. Drop a file, convert it, download, then click "Convert Another" for the next one. Batch conversion is planned for a future update.