HEIC vs JPEG: Which iPhone Photo Format Should You Use?

At a glance

HEIC (HEIF with HEVC) is a newer, more efficient format than JPEG. It typically delivers smaller files for comparable visual quality, which saves storage and upload time.

JPEG is universally supported and remains the default for many websites, printers, and legacy applications.

• HEIC: efficient, feature‑rich container, requires newer software on Windows
• JPEG: universal support, simpler feature set, larger files at the same quality

Quality and compression

With modern compression, HEIC tends to preserve detail and gradients better at a given file size. JPEG, while mature, can show artifacts at lower bitrates.

For most day‑to‑day photos, both formats look excellent at typical viewing sizes. Differences become more visible when zooming or printing large.

Features and metadata

HEIF can store multiple images, depth maps, and auxiliary data in a single file, enabling Live Photos and computational photography features. JPEG is a single‑image format with EXIF metadata only.

If you rely on multi‑image sequences or portrait depth data, HEIC is a better capture format. For archival and wide sharing, a PDF or JPEG export is often preferred.

Compatibility and workflows

JPEG opens almost anywhere. HEIC requires OS‑level support on some platforms, especially Windows without the Microsoft extensions.

For client deliveries or cross‑platform sharing, convert to PDF to preserve order and layout in a single file.

What we recommend

Capture in HEIC to save storage. When sharing with mixed devices, convert your selected images to a single PDF for a consistent viewing and printing experience.