How to convert all your photos in HEIC format to JPEG in one click with your Mac
If you’re here maybe you need to convert a lot of photos made by your iPhone in HEIC format to JPEG in bulk and you don’t want to waste a lot of time doing it one by one.
I’m happy to say that you’re in the right place.
But before to start is better to spend some words on the HEIC Format…
Why Apple store your photos in HEIC format?
HEIC is the file format name Apple has chosen for the new HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) Standard. Using advanced and modern compression methods, it allows photos to be created in smaller file sizes while retaining a higher image quality compared to JPEG/JPG.
This is a good news for your storage but also for your photos quality
But… Who use HEIC Format?
Unfortunately a lot of websites don’t accept HEIC format for the photo upload. Just think about eBay or your ID Card for the verify process.
They simply don’t accept this format and you need to convert your photos by your hand.
Good News: If you have a Mac you can do it in seconds!
I will explain two ways to convert your HEIC files into JPEG ones: the first is good for single photo, the second for entire folders!
1. Use Preview
With Preview App (default app to open pictures in Mac OS) you just need to go to File and click on Export
After that you will be able to select the quality and save it in JPEG format
That’s all! But what about if you have a looooot of files to convert in JPEG?
Let’s see the second method!
2. Use Automator and Quick Actions
Quick Actions is an amazing feature of your Mac, and being more precise is a feature of the Finder.
You can automatise almost everything with this feature and for sure you can convert HEIC files to JPEG in Bulk.
From the Apple Website:
Quick actions help you perform certain tasks, such as creating a PDF or rotating an image, right from the Finder or your desktop, without opening an app.
The types of tasks available in the Quick Actions menu and at the bottom of the Preview pane depend on the file type and any enabled Finder (Quick Actions and Preview Pane) extensions.
Let’s see how to use it for convert our HEIC files:
- Open the Automator App (the App for build new Quick Actions)
2. Go to Quick Action
3. Navigate the Library and go to Files and Folder ->Copy Finder Items and drag that voice into the grey square at the right.
In this way you added one step for your action.
What we did? We ask to MacOS (at the first step) to create a copy of our file and put it into the Desktop. Of course you can select any folder!
TIP: If you create a folder and this folder doesn’t exist, the system will create a new one. This is useful for the bulk photos. If you need to convert hundreds you may need a new folder instead of the Desktop (it will collapse)
4. Go to the search bar and search for “Change Type of Images” and drag also this action below the one of the previous stepo as follow:
5. Go to File->Save and choose a name for this action. I called it “Convert to JPEG”
6. You’re ready!
Now you can click with the right button on your HEIC file and you will get the quick action ready. Just click and find your JPEG images into your Desktop!
If I save your time, just clap your hands!
