Change Apple device settings to convert .HEIC files for Windows computers

Created by Ryan Harnwell, Modified on Sun, 19 Nov, 2023 at 10:21 AM by Ryan Harnwell

Modern Apple devices such as iPhones and iPads save photo's in a propriety .HEIC file format that is not compatible with Microsoft Windows computers.


If you are transferring photos from your Apple device onto a Windows computer and cannot open the files the easiest thing to do is change one setting on your phone so that the files are automatically converted to a Windows-compatible file type when you copy them off the phone.

Once you do this, just copy the files off your phone and you should be able to open them on your Windows computer.
note: changing this will not affect photos that you have already copied off as they are still in the .HEIC file format, only ones that you copy off after changing the setting. 


To enable the automatic conversion simply follow the steps below.:


  1. Go to Settings > Photos.




  2. Scroll down to the Transfer to Mac or PC section.


  3. Scroll down and Tap Automatic.



  4. Tap Automatic.





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