How to Convert HEIC to PNG (Mac, Windows, iPhone, Online)

Updated October 15, 2026 · 2 min read

PNG is the format to choose when a photo is a starting point rather than the finished product: you’ll edit it, cut it out, put text on it or drop it into a design. Here’s how to convert HEIC to PNG on every device — and when you shouldn’t.

Fastest on any device: use the HEIC to PNG converter. It’s lossless, keeps the original color profile, and converts in your browser without uploading.

HEIC to PNG on Mac

Finder (one or many files):

  1. Select the HEIC files.
  2. Right-click → Quick Actions → Convert Image.
  3. Set Format to PNG and click Convert to PNG.

Preview: open the file, choose File → Export, set Format to PNG, and save.

Terminal:

sips -s format png IMG_1234.HEIC --out IMG_1234.png

These are the same tools as for JPG — see How to convert HEIC to JPG on Mac for batch tips.

HEIC to PNG on Windows

With the HEIC extensions installed (see How to open HEIC files on Windows):

  1. Open the HEIC in Paint.
  2. Choose File → Save as → PNG picture.

No extensions? Use the browser converter instead — it works in Edge or Chrome with nothing to install.

HEIC to PNG on iPhone

  1. Save the photo to Files (Share → Save to Files).
  2. Long-press it → Quick Actions → Convert Image.
  3. Choose PNG.

Or open convertheicto.com/png in Safari and save the PNGs back to Photos.

HEIC to PNG on Android and Chromebook

Neither has a built-in option. Open the HEIC to PNG converter in Chrome, choose your photos and download the PNGs.

PNG or JPG?

Choose PNG when… Choose JPG when…
You’ll edit or retouch the image You’re sharing or uploading a photo
You need crisp edges around text or graphics File size matters
You want zero additional quality loss You’re printing or emailing
You’re making a cutout in a design tool The recipient just needs to see it

PNG files are big: a 12-megapixel iPhone photo is often 15–25 MB as PNG versus 2–4 MB as JPG. If that’s a problem, reduce the maximum size in the converter’s settings, or use HEIC to JPG instead. For more on the trade-offs, read HEIC vs JPEG.

Does the PNG have a transparent background?

Not automatically — iPhone photos are fully opaque, so the PNG is too. If you need a cutout, remove the background in an editor after converting. Design tools like Canva can also do this; see How to convert HEIC to JPG in Canva, which also covers PNG export.

For all the other formats and devices, start with How to convert HEIC to JPG on any device.

Frequently asked questions

Is HEIC to PNG lossless?

The conversion adds no loss — PNG stores the decoded pixels exactly. It can't restore detail that HEIC compression already discarded.

Why is the PNG so much bigger than the HEIC?

PNG uses lossless compression, which is far less efficient for photographs. A 2 MB HEIC often becomes a 15–25 MB PNG.

Should I convert HEIC to PNG or JPG?

PNG for editing, design work and images with text or sharp edges; JPG for sharing, uploading and printing photos.