How to Convert HEIC to PNG: A Complete Guide

Why Convert HEIC to PNG

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format. It uses advanced compression to keep file sizes small without noticeable quality loss. A HEIC file is often 40-50% smaller than an equivalent JPG, which is useful for device storage.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) has a different goal. It prioritizes data integrity by using lossless compression. This ensures the saved image is identical to the original data. This is critical for logos, icons, and graphics requiring sharp lines or transparency.

HEIC vs PNG: A Quick Comparison

Feature	HEIC	PNG
Compression	High-efficiency (lossy)	Lossless
File Size	Very small	Large
Compatibility	Limited (mostly Apple)	Universal
Transparency	Yes	Yes (Alpha channel)
Best For	Storing photos on devices	Web graphics, logos, transparency

When You Need to Convert

A graphic designer receives a folder of product photos from a client's iPhone. If their version of Adobe Photoshop does not support HEIC, they cannot open the files. Converting them to PNG is the only way to proceed with the design work.

Another common situation involves a web developer. They try uploading a client's HEIC images to a content management system, but the system rejects the format. To ensure the images display correctly for all website visitors, they must convert them to a universally supported format like PNG.

Convert from HEIC when the destination—software, a website, or another person's computer—requires a format that is universally supported. PNG provides that reliability.

Built-In Methods for Single Files

Sometimes you only need to convert one or two HEIC photos quickly. In these cases, using third-party software is unnecessary. The tools built into your computer are often the fastest method.

On Mac: Use the Preview App

If you are using a Mac, the built-in Preview app is a good tool for this task. It is a capable default application that handles HEIC files easily.

Steps to convert in Preview

Double-click your HEIC file to open it in Preview.
Navigate to the menu bar and click File > Export.
In the dialog box, click the format dropdown and select PNG.
Click Save.

PNG export

PNG files are always exported at maximum quality. The format uses lossless compression, so no visual data is discarded during the conversion.

On Windows: Use the Photos App

Windows users need to perform a small one-time setup. You must install the free HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. This gives Windows native support for the HEIC format.

Steps to convert using Photos

Open your HEIC file, which will now launch in the Photos app.
Click the "..." icon in the top toolbar and select "Save as."
In the save window, use the "Save as type" dropdown menu and select the .png option.
Choose a save location for the new file.

HEIF extension required

Without the HEIF Image Extensions installed, Windows cannot open HEIC files. The extension is free from the Microsoft Store and takes only a moment to install.

iPhone Workaround

On an iPhone or iPad, there is no direct "Convert to PNG" option. You can often force a conversion with a copy-paste action in the Files app.

Copy a picture from your Photos app, then navigate to a folder in the Files app and paste it. iOS often converts the image to a more compatible format, typically JPG. While not PNG, it is useful for quick sharing. For a PNG file specifically, a dedicated app from the App Store is necessary.

Built-in limitations

These built-in methods are designed for simplicity. They offer limited control over metadata or color profiles. Professional workflows may require a tool with more advanced options.

Online HEIC to PNG Converters

An online HEIC to PNG converter provides a good balance of power and simplicity. These services allow you to upload HEIC images, process them on their servers, and download the resulting PNGs. This approach frees up your computer's resources.

Benefits of Online Conversion

No installation — Works on any device with a web browser
Cross-platform — Same experience on Mac, Windows, Linux, or mobile
Automatic processing — Handles transparency and metadata preservation
Batch support — Convert multiple files in one operation

What to Look For in a Converter

Feature	Why It Matters
Lossless conversion	Preserves original image quality without compression artifacts
Transparency support	Maintains alpha channel from HEIC to PNG
Metadata preservation	Keeps EXIF data (camera settings, location, timestamps)
Security features	TLS encryption, EU servers, automatic file deletion

Privacy considerations

When uploading files, especially those with sensitive data, security is a primary concern. You are transferring your data to a third party, so trust is important. Look for services that use TLS 1.3 encryption, store files on EU servers under GDPR protections, and automatically delete files after processing.

How to Handle Bulk HEIC to PNG Conversions

Converting a single HEIC file is straightforward. Converting hundreds is a different problem. Doing them one by one is inefficient and time-consuming. Batch conversion tools are designed to solve this.

Desktop Software Options

If you prefer to keep your files local, desktop applications are a solid choice. These tools work without an internet connection.

XnConvert — A free, cross-platform tool with a visual interface. It supports complex batch jobs for resizing, watermarking, and more.
IrfanView — A lightweight and fast Windows image viewer with powerful batch conversion features.

Command-Line Automation

For the highest level of control and automation, the command line is the best option. A shell script using a tool like ImageMagick can be scheduled or triggered by events.

Time savings

For freelancers and small businesses, an efficient batch process is valuable. Manually converting 100 HEIC images could take 20-30 minutes. A good batch tool can complete the same job in under two minutes.

For example, a script could monitor a folder. When a new HEIC file appears, it could automatically convert it to PNG and move it to another directory. This setup is ideal for server-side processing.

Convert HEIC to PNG

Keeping Your Image Data Intact

File conversion involves more than just changing the format. A proper conversion preserves the original image's key attributes: transparency and metadata. Losing either can disrupt your workflow.

Transparency Preservation

Both HEIC and PNG support an alpha channel, which defines which pixels are transparent. A reliable conversion tool correctly transfers this information from the HEIC file to the new PNG.

If you are working with a company logo or a product shot with a removed background, transparency is essential. Without it, the image becomes flat, creating extra work.

Metadata and EXIF Data

The other important component is the data embedded within the image file, known as EXIF metadata. This includes camera settings, GPS location, and the date and time the photo was taken. This information is valuable for photographers, designers, and anyone organizing a large image library.

Data loss risk

Many simple online converters discard this data. Sometimes this is for privacy reasons; other times it is a technical simplification. This may be acceptable for a casual image, but it is a problem for professionals who rely on that data.

A complete HEIC to PNG conversion is a lossless transfer of all data, not just the visible pixels. If a converter drops the alpha channel or strips EXIF data, you are not getting the full file.

File Size Considerations

PNG files are naturally larger than HEIC files. This is because HEIC uses lossy compression to discard data that is hard to notice, while PNG preserves 100% of the image data. Expect your PNG files to be 2-4x larger than the original HEIC files. After converting, you can compress your PNG files to reduce their size without losing quality.

If file size is a concern and you do not need transparency, consider converting to JPG instead. You can convert HEIC to JPG for smaller files with minimal quality loss.

Your HEIC to PNG Questions Answered

Here are direct answers to common questions about converting HEIC to PNG.

Will converting HEIC to PNG reduce image quality?

No, the conversion itself will not reduce image quality. PNG is a lossless format, which means it preserves all the pixel data from the source file.

However, the original HEIC file was created using lossy compression to reduce its size. When you convert it to PNG, you are creating a perfect, lossless copy of that already compressed file. The conversion cannot restore any data lost during the initial HEIC creation.

Why are PNG files so much larger than HEIC?

The size difference is due to the different compression methods. HEIC uses an efficient lossy algorithm to make files small by discarding data that the human eye is unlikely to notice. PNG uses a lossless algorithm designed to preserve 100% of the image data.

Because a PNG's primary function is to guarantee no data loss, it is naturally larger than the highly compressed HEIC source file. Expect PNG files to be 2-4x larger than the original HEIC.

Can I convert a HEIC file with transparency to PNG?

Yes, but you must use a tool that supports it. Both HEIC and PNG formats can handle transparency information, also known as an alpha channel.

A proper converter will recognize the transparency layer in the HEIC file and transfer it correctly to the new PNG. If your transparent areas are replaced with a solid color, the conversion tool is likely at fault for ignoring the alpha channel data.

What is the best way to convert over 100 HEIC photos at once?

For large numbers of photos, manual one-by-one conversion is not practical. You need a batch-processing solution.

A secure online converter is often the simplest method. Use a service that allows you to upload an entire folder and download a single ZIP file of the results. Desktop software like XnConvert or Adobe Bridge are also excellent for processing folders on your computer.

Can I open HEIC files without converting?

On Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac), HEIC files open natively in the Photos app and Preview. On Windows, you need to install the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store first.

Most web browsers and content management systems do not support HEIC. For sharing or uploading to websites, conversion to PNG or JPG is necessary.

Convert.FAST handles HEIC to PNG conversion on encrypted EU-based servers and deletes your files automatically—fast, simple, and secure.