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Make your iPhone take photos in JPG instead of HEIC

One camera setting makes an iPhone save new photos as JPEG instead of HEIF (HEIC files). It does not change photos you already took, and HEIF photos take less space, so you may prefer to convert only the ones you need.

Change the camera format

  1. Open Settings, then tap Camera.
  2. Tap Formats, then tap Most Compatible.
  3. New photos and videos now use JPEG or H.264. To go back, choose High Efficiency.

Apple says this setting is available only on iPhone and iPad models that can capture HEIF or HEVC.

Source: Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices (Apple Support, checked 13 Nov 2026)

When you share photos

  1. With AirDrop, Messages or email, if the device receiving the photo can't use HEIF, the photo might be sent in a more compatible format such as JPEG.
  2. With iCloud Photos, photos keep their original format.

Source: Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices (Apple Support, checked 13 Nov 2026)