How to change the photo format on Android from HEIC/WEBP to JPEG: all methods

Photos on modern Android smartphones are often saved in HEIC (Apple and some Android) or WEBP (Google Pixel, Xiaomi, OnePlus) formats. These formats save space, but create problems: old apps do not open them, social networks compress them more, and artifacts appear when printing. Fortunately, converting to universal JPEG takes a couple of minutes - and this can be done either using the phone’s built-in tools or using third-party applications.

In this guide, we will look at all the current ways to change the format - from camera settings to batch processing of hundreds of pictures. We will pay special attention to Samsung Galaxy (where HEIC is enabled by default), Google Pixel (with their WEBP) and budget smartphones running pure Android. You will also learn how to avoid loss of quality during conversion and why sometimes JPEG on Android is saved with artifacts when manually shooting in RAW+JPEG format.

Why Android saves photos not in JPEG and why this is bad

Since 2018, manufacturers have been actively switching to new image formats in three ways reasons:

• 📦 Save space: HEIC/WEBP compress photos 2 times more efficiently than JPEG at the same quality. For example, a 12 MP image in JPEG weighs ~4 MB, and in HEIC - ~2 MB.
• 🎯 Support HDR: formats store more data about brightness and colors, which is important for photos with a high dynamic range (for example, sunsets or portraits against the light).
• 🔄 Compatibility with the ecosystem: Apple has been using HEIC for a long time, and Google is promoting WEBP for the web. Android manufacturers follow the trend.

However, such formats have disadvantages:

• 🖥️ PC problems: Windows up to version 10 1903 does not open HEIC without additional codecs. WEBP is supported only in the latest versions of Photos and Photoshop.
• 📱 Social network limitations: Instagram, VK and Facebook automatically convert HEIC/WEBP to JPEG, often spoiling the quality. Telegram and WhatsApp send them as documents.
• 🖨️ Printing and editing: many photo labs and old printers do not work with new formats. Lightroom and Photoshop require manual conversion.

⚠️ Attention: On Samsung Galaxy S22/S23 and newer, the HEIC format is automatically enabled when shooting in 10-bit HDRmode. To disable it, you need to manually select JPEG in the camera settings - more on this in the next section.

Method 1: Change the default format in the camera settings

The most A simple method is to set up your camera so that it immediately saves pictures as JPEGs. This will eliminate the need to convert files later. Instructions differ depending on the manufacturer:

For Samsung Galaxy (One UI 5/6)

On smartphones Samsung Galaxy S21/S22/S23, Note 20, A54/A73 and others with a shell One UI:

1. Open the application Camera.
2. Tap the ⚙️ icon Settings (or swipe up/down the screen if the toolbar is hidden).
3. Select Save formats → Image File Type.
4. Switch from HEIF (Efficient) to JPEG (Compatible).

⚠️ Attention: On Galaxy S24 and newer the option may be called Advanced options → Save as. If you do not find the item, update the camera application via Galaxy Store.

For Google Pixel (Android 13/14)

On Pixel 6/7/8 and Pixel Fold default is used WEBP. To switch to JPEG:

1. Open Camera → tap on the arrow ⌄ in the top panel.
2. Select Settings → Save format.
3. Activate the option Compatible (JPEG) instead High quality (WEBP).

On Pixel 5 and older this item may be missing - then use Method 2 or 3.

For Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO (MIUI 14)

In the firmware MIUI the setting is hidden deeper:

1. Run Camera → tap ⚙️ Settings.
2. Go to Photo format or Photo quality (the name depends on the model).
3. Select JPEG instead HEIF or WEBP.

On Redmi Note 12 and newer may need to disable AI cameraas it forces HEIF for HDR photos.

Is it open camera in "Photo" mode (not "Video" or "Portrait")?

Is the JPEG format selected in the settings?

Are additional effects (HDR+, Night Mode) that can reset the format disabled?

Has a test shot been taken to check the file extension?

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Method 2: Converting finished photos through "Gallery" or "Files"

If the photos have already been taken in HEIC/WEBP format, they can be converted without third-party applications. Most Android firmwares have built-in tools for this.

Method for Samsung Galaxy (One UI)

In Samsung Gallery:

1. Open a photo in format .heic.
2. Tap on ⋮ More → Export.
3. Select Save as JPEG (or Copy to... indicating the format).
4. Specify the folder to save (for example, DCIM/Converted).

For batch processing:

1. B Gallery select several photos (long press → check the rest).
2. Click Share → Save as files.
3. Select format JPEG in the drop-down menu.

Method for Google Pixel and pure Android

In the application Google Photos:

1. Open the photo → click ⋮ More → Export.
2. Select Save to Files (the file is automatically converted to JPEG).

For WEBP files in Files Google:

1. Find the file with the extension .webp in the folder DCIM/Camera.
2. Tap on ⋮ → Open with → Gallery.
3. Save a copy via Share → Save image.

⚠️ Attention: When converting via Google Photos the quality of the image may deteriorate due to double compression (WEBP→JPEG). For critical photos, use Method 4 (special converters).

Method 3: Using third-party converters (batch processing)

To process dozens or hundreds of photos, it is more convenient to use specialized applications. They save EXIF ​​data (date, camera model, geotags) and allow you to customize JPEG quality.

Top 3 tested applications:

• 📱 HEIC to JPG Converter (from Coolmuster) - supports batch conversion, saves metadata, has a preview. The free version is limited to 10 photos at a time.
• 🖼️ WebP to JPEG (from InShot Inc.) - optimized for WEBP, allows you to select JPEG quality (from 70% to 100%). Suitable for Google Pixel.
• 🔄 Batch Image Converter - universal tool for HEIC, WEBP, PNG and RAW. There is a function for resizing and rotating.

Step-by-step guide using the example of HEIC to JPG Converter:

1. Install the application from Google Play and open it.
2. Click Select HEIC files and specify the folder (usually DCIM/Camera).
3. Select a photo (multi-selection is supported).
4. Tap Convert → select a folder for JPEG (for example, Downloads/Converted).
5. Wait for completion (progress will be displayed on the screen).

For advanced users: in the application settings you can enable:

• Save original EXIFdata (geotags, camera model).
• JPEG quality settings (recommended 90-95% to balance size/quality).
• Automatic removal of original HEIC/WEBP after conversion (dangerous - enable only if sure!).

Method 4: Converting to PC (for maximum quality)

If your phone does not have enough memory or you need to process hundreds of photos, it is easier to transfer them to your computer not all mobile converters support. RAW files (with extension .dng or .arw), which not all mobile converters support.

For Windows 10/11

To open HEIC/WEBP on PC:

1. Install HEIF extension from Microsoft (for HEIC) or WEBP Image Extensions.
2. Connect your phone via USB in mode Transfer files (or copy the photo to disk).
3. Select files → right click → Open with → Photos.
4. In the upper right corner, click ⋯ → Save as → select JPEG.

For batch conversion, use IrfanView (free):

1. Install the app and plugin for HEIC/WEBP from official website.
2. Select files in the folder → right click → Convert with IrfanView.
3. In the settings, select Output format: JPG and quality 90-100%.

For macOS

On Mac, conversion is easier:

1. Connect Android via USB or send photos via AirDrop.
2. Open photo in View (Preview).
3. Select File → Export → specify format JPEG.

To automatically process a folder, use Automator:

1. Open Automator → create a new one Quick Action.
2. Add an action Convert Image and specify JPEG.
3. Save and call the action through the contextual folder menu.

⚠️ Attention: When transferring photos from Android to PC via USB, select the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) mode rather than PTP. Some HEIC/WEBP files may not be displayed. PTP Some HEIC/WEBP files may not be displayed.

Method 5: Online converters (for rare cases)

If it is not possible to install the application, you can use online services. They are suitable for one-time tasks, but have limitations:

• 🌐 HEICtoJPEG.com —supports HEIC, saves EXIF, limit 50. MB at a time.
• 🖼️ CloudConvert.com — converts WEBP, HEIC, RAW to JPEG, there is an API for developers.
• ⚡ Online-Convert.com —allows you to customize the JPEG quality and output file size.

How to use (using the example of HEICtoJPEG):

1. Open the site in phone browser (we recommend Chrome or Firefox).
2. Click Upload files and select a photo from the gallery.
3. Wait for processing (a progress bar will appear on the screen).
4. Download the archive with JPEG or save the files one by one.

⚠️ Attention: Online converters upload your photos to the server. Do not use them for confidential images (documents, passports, intimate photos). For such cases, it is better to use offline applications (Method 3).

Advantages of the online method:

• ✅ Does not require software installation.
• ✅ Suitable for old phones with little memory.
• ✅ No services support rare formats (for example, .srw from Samsung RAW).

Cons:

• ❌ File size limitation (usually up to 100 MB).
• ❌ Risk of data leakage (especially on little-known sites).
• ❌ JPEG quality is often worse than offline conversion.

How to check the photo format and avoid errors

Before converting photos, make sure that they are indeed in an incompatible format. Here's how to do it:

Check on your phone

1. Open Google Files or any file. manager.
2. Go to folder DCIM/Camera (or Pictures).
3. Tap and hold the file → select Properties or Information.
4. Look at the field Type or Extension:
   • .heic/.heif — format Apple/Samsung.
   • .webp —Google format.
   • .jpg/.jpeg —standard JPEG.

Check on PC

B Windows:

1. Right click on the file → Properties → tab Details.
2. Look at the lines File type and Description.

In macOS:

1. Select file → File → Get information.
2. In section General information check Extension.

Typical errors during conversion:

• 🔄 Double compression: if you convert WEBP → JPEG and then save JPEG again, the quality will deteriorate. file.
• 📁 Metadata loss: some converters remove EXIF (date, geotags). Check this in the file properties.
• 🎨 Color distortion: HEIC/WEBP store an extended color profile. (P3 or AdobeRGB). When converting to JPEG, it may be reset to sRGB, causing the colors to become faded.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about photo formats on Android

Get-ChildItem -Path "C:\Users\YourName\Pictures\Camera" -Filter *.heic |
ForEach-Object {
magick convert "$_" "$($_.BaseName).jpg"
}