How to Convert HEIC to PNG
A practical guide for converting Apple's HEIC format to PNG — including why direct browser-based conversion isn't possible and what to do instead.
Why HEIC → PNG Is Different from HEIC → JPG
Our free tool at ConvertHEIC.org converts HEIC to JPG directly in your browser using WebAssembly — no server required. PNG conversion, however, demands lossless pixel-by-pixel encoding that is significantly more memory-intensive. For most use cases (web upload, sharing, printing), JPG at quality 0.9+ is visually identical to PNG and a fraction of the file size. If you truly need PNG, follow the two-step workflow below.
Do You Actually Need PNG?
PNG is a lossless format. That means every pixel is stored exactly as captured — no compression artifacts, no quality degradation. This is essential for:
- Screenshots and UI graphics with sharp text
- Transparent backgrounds (logos, stickers, digital art)
- Source files for further editing (keep full quality)
- Scientific or medical images where accuracy matters
However, for photos from your iPhone camera, PNG offers no visible quality advantage over JPG at 90%+ quality. A 4 MB HEIC photo becomes a 6–8 MB JPG vs. a 18–25 MB PNG. For sharing, uploading, or printing, JPG is almost always the right choice.
Method 1: Two-Step Workflow (Recommended)
The fastest path for most users: convert HEIC → JPG with our browser tool, then JPG → PNG with a free image editor.
Convert HEIC to JPG
Go to ConvertHEIC.org. Drag and drop your HEIC files (or upload a ZIP). Set quality to 1.0 (maximum) to preserve all detail. Click Download.
Open JPG in Preview (Mac) or Paint (Windows)
On Mac: open the JPG in Preview, then File → Export → Format: PNG. On Windows: open in Paint or Photos app, then File → Save a copy → PNG.
Save as PNG
Choose your destination folder and save. PNG files will be noticeably larger than JPG — this is normal and expected for a lossless format.
Method 2: Direct HEIC → PNG with Desktop Software
Mac: Preview (Built-in)
Mac natively reads HEIC files. Open any HEIC in Preview, then go to File → Export and choose PNG from the Format dropdown. For batch conversion, select multiple HEIC files in Finder, open them all in Preview, then use File → Export Selected Images → PNG.
Windows: IrfanView + HEIF Plugin
Download IrfanView (free) and the HEIF/HEIC plugin from the official IrfanView website. Once installed, open your HEIC file and use File → Save As → PNG. For batch: use IrfanView's built-in batch converter (File → Batch Conversion) to process hundreds of files at once.
Cross-Platform: XnConvert (Free)
XnConvert is a free batch image converter for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It supports HEIC input (via libheif) and can export to PNG, TIFF, WebP, and more. Drag your HEIC files into XnConvert, set output to PNG, and hit Convert. It processes hundreds of files in minutes.
iPhone/iPad: Shortcuts App
Create a Shortcut: Add "Select Photos" → "Convert Image" (set to PNG) → "Save to Files". Run the Shortcut and select your HEIC photos. They'll be saved as PNG to your chosen folder. Note: PNG files on iPhone take significantly more storage space.
HEIC vs JPG vs PNG: File Size Comparison
| Format | Typical Size (12MP photo) | Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEIC | 3–5 MB | Excellent (lossy) | iPhone storage |
| JPG (90%) | 4–7 MB | Excellent (lossy) | Web, sharing, print |
| PNG | 15–25 MB | Perfect (lossless) | Editing, transparency |
For most photo sharing and uploading scenarios, converting HEIC to JPG (not PNG) is the practical choice — you get compatible files without the massive file size increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert HEIC to PNG online for free?
Will converting HEIC to PNG improve photo quality?
Does PNG support transparency from HEIC?
Why is my PNG so much larger than the HEIC?
Start with HEIC → JPG (It's Instant)
Convert your HEIC photos to JPG right now — free, private, no upload required. Then export to PNG locally if needed.
Convert HEIC to JPG FreeSearch intent
HEIC to PNG search intent
This page is written for users deciding whether PNG is actually needed for an iPhone photo. The core two-word phrase is HEIC PNG, while the main long-tail phrase is HEIC to PNG. Use HEIC to PNG only when you truly need a lossless PNG workflow; most photo sharing needs HEIC to JPG instead.
When this page should rank
- HEIC PNG: make a PNG for editing, transparency, or screenshot-style work.
- HEIC PNG: avoid huge PNG files when a high-quality JPG is enough.
- HEIC PNG: use Preview, Paint, or XnConvert after creating a JPG copy.
- HEIC PNG: understand why browser HEIC to PNG is heavier than HEIC to JPG.
Practical checks before converting
- HEIC to PNG: choose JPG for normal photos and uploads.
- HEIC to PNG: choose PNG for graphics, transparency, or exact pixel workflows.
- HEIC to PNG: expect PNG files to be much larger.
- HEIC to PNG: keep the original HEIC file for archive quality.
Is HEIC to PNG better quality?
Not for normal photos. HEIC to PNG usually creates a larger file without visible quality improvement.
When is PNG useful?
PNG is useful for graphics, screenshots, transparency, or editing workflows that need lossless output.
Should I convert HEIC to JPG first?
For most users, yes. A high-quality JPG is smaller and accepted by more services.
Long-tail queries this page now covers
A generic page can rank for a broad term once it has authority, but a focused page needs to answer the exact job behind the query. This section helps the page answer HEIC to PNG searches while keeping HEIC PNG language tied to real user tasks.
best HEIC PNG for HEIC to PNG workflows: the page gives a practical answer, explains the trade-off, and links back to the working converter when a user is ready to act.
HEIC PNG without confusing format settings: the page gives a practical answer, explains the trade-off, and links back to the working converter when a user is ready to act.
HEIC PNG for private JPG copies: the page gives a practical answer, explains the trade-off, and links back to the working converter when a user is ready to act.
HEIC PNG for batch photo handling: the page gives a practical answer, explains the trade-off, and links back to the working converter when a user is ready to act.
HEIC to PNG when the first app fails: the page gives a practical answer, explains the trade-off, and links back to the working converter when a user is ready to act.
HEIC to PNG for upload and sharing problems: the page gives a practical answer, explains the trade-off, and links back to the working converter when a user is ready to act.
HEIC to PNG with original HEIC files preserved: the page gives a practical answer, explains the trade-off, and links back to the working converter when a user is ready to act.
HEIC to PNG using a browser-based workflow: the page gives a practical answer, explains the trade-off, and links back to the working converter when a user is ready to act.
Need the working tool instead of another guide? Open the browser HEIC to JPG converter.