When PNG is the better choice than JPG
For sharing a photo, HEIC to JPG is almost always the right call: the file is a fraction of the size and looks the same. PNG makes sense when the photo is going to be edited further. Each time a JPG is opened, changed and saved again, it is compressed again and loses a little more detail. A PNG can be edited and saved any number of times without that loss.
- Photos you will retouch, crop repeatedly or composite in a design.
- Screenshots of text or interfaces taken on an iPhone, where JPG adds visible fuzz around letters.
- Source images for a cut-out, before removing the background.
- Uploads to a tool that accepts PNG but not HEIC.
What to expect from the file size
| Same 12 MP iPhone photo | Typical size |
|---|---|
| HEIC (original) | 1.5 to 3 MB |
| JPG at quality 85 | 2.5 to 4 MB |
| PNG | 12 to 20 MB |
That jump is normal. HEIC and JPG throw away detail you can’t easily see; PNG keeps every pixel, including the camera noise, and noise is expensive to store. Converting to PNG doesn’t restore detail the HEIC already discarded. It just stops any more being lost.
Live Photos and portrait depth
A HEIC file can carry more than one image: the depth map from Portrait mode, or the key photo of a Live Photo. The converter takes the main image only. The video part of a Live Photo is a separate .mov file and isn’t part of the HEIC at all.
Questions
Can I stop my iPhone saving HEIC?
Yes: Settings › Camera › Formats › Most Compatible saves new photos as JPG. You lose HEIC’s space saving, and existing photos stay as they are.
Are my photos uploaded?
No. HEIC decoding runs in your browser, so your photos never leave the device. Large batches can take a few seconds per photo on older phones.