In the world of Apple technology and macOS, understanding image formats can be a bit tricky. Today we are diving into one particular format: hEIC. Our main objective is to help you easily convert HEIC images to JPEG or PNG on your Mac.
What is the HEIC format and why is it used on macOS ?
Understanding the HEIC format
The High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF), with its most common file extension being .heic, was introduced by Apple in 2017 with the launch of iOS 11. The HEIC format essentially represents a more efficient way for storing image files, offering higher quality images than traditional JPEG while also being more compact.
Why use HEIC on macOS ?
macOS utilizes the HEIC format because of its efficiency and quality advantages over traditional image formats like JPEG. Despite these benefits, compatibility issues may arise when sharing these files with users of non-Apple devices which leads us to our next point: how to convert these files into more universally accepted formats.
Moving forward, let’s explore how to transform a HEIC file into a JPEG using Preview.
The basics of conversion: transforming a HEIC file into a JPEG with Preview
The simple process of conversion in Preview
The quickest way to convert your HEIC files is by using the native application ‘Preview’. Here’s how :
- Select the HEIC file you wish to convert
- Right-click and choose ‘Open with’ then select ‘Preview’
- In the top menu bar, go to ‘File’ then ‘Export’
- Choose ‘JPEG’ from the drop-down menu of formats and click ‘Save’
Preview isn’t the only native tool you can use for conversion, so let’s look at Photos next.
Alternative Conversion: using the Photos app to switch from HEIC to JPEG
Converting Images in the Photos App
The Photos app embeds a simple process for converting images from HEIC to JPEG. After importing your image, simply go to ‘File’, then ‘Export’ followed by ‘Export one photo’. Make sure the format selected is JPEG and click on ‘Export’.
For those who have multiple images to convert simultaneously, macOS brings you a solution: automator.
Automating Image Conversion: the usefulness of Automator on Mac
Mass Conversions with Automator
Automator, another built-in application on macOS, allows for batch processing of images. With this tool, you can create a dedicated workflow that converts all HEIC files into your desired format, at once.
Whilst converting is helpful, it’s essential to understand why you might want to stick with HEIC.
The benefits of HEIC format over JPEG
Why stick with HEIC ?
HEIC offers a lot more advantages compared to traditional formats like JPEG.
| HEIC | JPEG |
|---|---|
| Better image quality | Inferior image quality |
| Smaller file size | Larger file size |
Before we conclude our adventure in image conversion, let’s look at some online tools that can simplify the process further.
Tooling your conversion: top 6 online tools to convert HEIC files into JPEG or PNG
The best online converters
Including PicWish and MacKeeper, these online tools offer a straightforward and usually free option for fast conversions. They provide an invaluable tool for those who often find themselves needing to convert file types.
Finally, let’s address some important considerations when using third-party services.
Important considerations before converting HEIC files with third-party services
Protecting your privacy
When using any third-party service, it is critical to ensure they respect your data privacy. Always read their data policy before uploading confidential images.
To sum up, the HEIC format offers superior efficiency and quality compared to JPEG. However, due to compatibility issues, you may need to convert these files to JPEG or PNG. macOS provides native applications like Preview, photos and Automator for this purpose while online tools offer alternative solutions. The key is finding what works best for you in terms of convenience and ease of use.
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