How to Convert HEIC to JPG in Chrome or Firefox (Without Uploading the Photo)

Short answer: Chrome and Firefox can't display HEIC files, the format iPhones use for photos by default. To get a JPG without sending the photo to a conversion website, you can set the iPhone to shoot JPEG from now on, export the photo from Preview or Photos on a Mac, or convert it inside the browser with an extension that decodes HEIC on your device, such as Image Resizer for Chrome and Firefox.

Why your browser won't open a HEIC photo

HEIC files use HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format). Apple introduced it in iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra because it compresses better than JPEG at the same visual quality, according to Apple's guide to HEIF and HEVC media.

Browser support is the problem. Can I use lists HEIF/HEIC as not supported in Chrome, Edge or Firefox; Safari 17 and later support it. So when a form, a web app or a website tool only accepts JPG or PNG, a photo straight from an iPhone often won't work until it's converted.

Option 1: Have the iPhone save JPEG instead

If you mostly need JPGs, you can change the format on the phone. Apple's guide describes the steps:

1. Open Settings, then tap Camera.
2. Tap Formats, then tap Most Compatible.

New photos are then saved as JPEG. Photos you have already taken are not converted. To go back, choose High Efficiency.

Apple also notes that photos shared by AirDrop, Messages or email may be sent in a more compatible format such as JPEG when the receiving device doesn't support HEIF, and that photos imported over USB into Photos, Image Capture or a PC might be converted to JPEG; to keep them as HEIF, choose Keep Originals in Settings > Apps > Photos.

Option 2: Export from Preview or Photos on a Mac

On a Mac, open the HEIC file in Preview or Photos, choose File > Export, pick JPEG (or PNG) as the format and save. This is the method in Apple's guide, and the photo stays on your Mac.

Option 3: Convert it in Chrome or Firefox

If you're already working in the browser, or you're not on a Mac, an extension can do the conversion without an upload. Image Resizer opens .heic and .heif files with a decoder that ships inside the extension, so the photo is decoded and converted on your device. Your images never leave your device.

It works the same way in Chrome and Firefox (Firefox 142 or later):

1. Install Image Resizer from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons.
2. Open the extension from the browser toolbar.
3. Drag the .heic file in, or add it with the file picker.
4. Choose JPG as the output format. PNG and WebP are also available.
5. Optionally resize it at the same time: pick one of the 22 presets, enter your own dimensions, or set a target file size such as 200 KB.
6. Download the result.

On the Free plan you can convert up to 5 photos per run and download them one by one or as a single ZIP. HEIC import, every preset and every resize mode are free. Pro, a one-time €7.99 purchase, removes the 5-image limit and adds export packs. The 1.0.0 release notes list what each plan includes and explain which features use the network, such as Pro license checks.

If a particular HEIC file can't be decoded, the extension shows an explanation on screen.

JPG, PNG or WebP: which one to pick

• JPG is the safe choice for photos. Almost every form and app accepts it, and you can trade quality for file size.
• PNG is lossless, so it keeps every detail, but a photo saved as PNG is usually much larger than the same photo as JPG.
• WebP often gives smaller files than JPG at similar quality, but some upload forms don't accept it.

MDN's image format guide has more detail on where each format fits.

If the place you're uploading to also has a size limit, convert to JPG and set a target size in the same step. How to Resize an Image to a Specific Size in KB explains how to pick the dimensions and quality.

FAQ

Can Chrome or Firefox open HEIC files without an extension?

No. According to Can I use, neither Chrome nor Firefox supports the HEIF/HEIC format. Safari 17 and later do.

Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?

JPG is a lossy format, so the conversion re-compresses the photo. At a high quality setting the difference is usually hard to see. If you need every detail kept, save as PNG instead and expect a larger file.

Do I have to upload my photo to convert it?

No. iPhone settings, Mac Preview and Photos, and Image Resizer all convert on your own device.

Can I convert several HEIC photos at once?

Yes. Image Resizer's Free plan takes up to 5 images per run and can download them as a single ZIP. Pro removes that limit.

Image Resizer is free on Chrome and Firefox. More about the extension: Image Resizer.