GUIDE · HEIC TO PNG

How to Convert HEIC to PNG

PNG encodes decoded pixels without additional lossy compression. That is the main reason to convert HEIC to PNG instead of JPG: JPG trades some detail for a smaller file, while PNG can keep the decoded image unchanged when you leave its dimensions at 100%. PNG does not recover detail already lost when the HEIC was created, and decoding, color conversion or HDR handling can still affect the result.

PNG also supports transparency, although a normal opaque iPhone photo does not gain a transparent background simply by changing its format. HEIC works well on Apple devices, but some Windows apps, websites and older tools cannot read it. Here are three ways to create a more widely supported PNG. The browser converter and Mac Preview are free; the Paint route is free to use when your PC already has the necessary codec support.

Method 1: Convert in your browser (lossless PNG encoding, batch, ZIP downloads)

For a batch or a workflow across Windows, Mac and Linux, open PicUplift’s HEIC to PNG converter. It decodes photos locally using a bundled WebAssembly decoder and encodes the PNG on your device. Your files are not uploaded to a server, and the decoder is not loaded from a CDN.

1. Open the converter in a current desktop browser, such as Chrome or Edge. You can also try current Safari or Firefox; supported HEIC variants and available memory can vary by device.
2. Drag in your .heic or .heif files, or click Choose images. You can select a batch rather than opening each image separately.
3. Leave Image dimensions at 100% to avoid resizing, then click Start conversion. PNG uses lossless encoding, so there is no lossy quality slider. Reducing dimensions still changes pixels.
4. Compare the actual file sizes, then download each PNG individually or use Download ZIP for the successful results.

There is no signup, watermark, daily quota or imposed conversion-count cap. Images run one at a time. Actual capacity depends on your device’s memory, image dimensions, decoder support and ZIP capacity; split very large folders into smaller batches if needed. A failed file is marked separately so you can identify it without changing your original.

If the PNG files are larger than expected, that can be normal. PNG may be substantially larger than the HEIC input, even when both display the same scene. For sharing, if smaller files matter more than avoiding another lossy encoding step, try the HEIC to JPG converter. You can also process the PNG afterwards with the image compressor. Its automatic mode changes PNG to WebP; choosing PNG keeps lossless encoding but does not guarantee a smaller file. Check the real output sizes before saving.

The included illustration below is a real browser conversion, not a phone-photo quality benchmark. Before is a decoded HEIC preview saved as PNG; after is the PNG output at original dimensions. PNG adds no lossy encoding, so the decoded pixels can look identical. Results with other files, HDR and color profiles may differ.

Method 2: Use Preview on Mac (built in, including batch export)

Preview is already on your Mac and can export one or many supported HEIC photos as PNG. Batch export works best when the files are together in one Preview window, with all required thumbnails selected.

1. In Finder, select the HEIC photos you want to convert. In a folder containing only those photos, press ⌘A to select them all.
2. Right-click the selection and choose Open With → Preview. Keep the images together in one Preview window.
3. Click an image in Preview’s thumbnail sidebar, then press ⌘A to select all the images. If the sidebar is hidden, choose View → Thumbnails first.
4. Go to File → Export Selected Images.
5. Choose a destination folder, click Options and set Format to PNG.
6. Click Choose or Save, depending on your macOS version, to export the selected images. Keep the original HEIC files until you have checked the results.

For just one photo, use File → Export and choose PNG. If the format you need is not shown, hold Option when opening the Format menu to see additional choices.

For a large folder, try a smaller starting batch, such as around 200 photos or fewer, and keep each batch in the same source format where practical. This is a cautious starting suggestion, not an official or fixed Preview limit. Stability depends on your macOS version, image dimensions and available memory. If Preview slows down or an export fails, reduce the batch.

Method 3: Use Paint on Windows 11 (built in, codec support required)

Paint can save an image it successfully opens as PNG, but HEIC support depends on the codecs installed on your PC. HEIF Image Extensions alone may not be enough for HEVC-compressed HEIC files: you may also need HEVC Video Extensions, which may have a separate charge. Do not assume this route is free on every Windows installation. If you prefer to avoid additional codec purchases, use Method 1.

1. First try opening a HEIC photo in Paint. If Windows reports missing support, check HEIF Image Extensions and any HEVC requirement in the Microsoft Store. Check the current terms before installing or purchasing anything.
2. Once the HEIC opens, right-click your photo and choose Open with → Paint. For several photos, open and save them individually.
3. Choose File → Save as → PNG picture. Menu wording can vary with the Paint version.
4. Choose a destination folder and click Save. Open the saved PNG to check its appearance before sharing it.

For many photos, a browser batch with ZIP downloads usually needs fewer repeated steps than saving each image in Paint. Preview also has batch export on Mac, so choose the method that fits your device and the number of files.

Which method should you pick?

• Dozens or hundreds of HEIC photos, ZIP downloads, or a cross-platform workflow → Method 1. Batch capacity still depends on your device.
• A few HEIC photos on a Mac → Method 2. Preview is already installed, and batch export is available too.
• One or two HEIC photos on Windows, with working HEIC codec support already installed → Method 3. Additional codec costs can otherwise apply.
• Smaller files for sharing → Consider the linked JPG converter. PNG avoids an extra lossy encoding step; it is not a promise of a smaller file.

FAQ

Convert HEIC to PNG now — free, no signup