My HEIC photos won't convert

HEIC is Apple’s default photo format on iPhones and iPads. If you’re having trouble converting HEIC files, here are the common issues.

1. File is actually HEIF, not HEIC

HEIC and HEIF are closely related but slightly different containers. KoalaPic supports both, but some files may use the .heif extension. Both should work — just upload the file regardless of the extension.

2. File was corrupted during transfer

HEIC files transferred from iPhone via email or messaging apps may get corrupted or converted automatically. Common issues: - AirDrop: Usually preserves the original HEIC format - Email: Some email clients convert HEIC to JPG automatically - USB transfer: Windows may offer to convert — choose “Keep originals” - Cloud sync: iCloud, Google Photos may serve converted versions

Fix: Transfer the original file directly via USB or AirDrop, or download from iCloud in original format.

3. iOS “Most Compatible” setting

If your iPhone is set to “Most Compatible” in Settings > Camera > Formats, it saves photos as JPG, not HEIC. The file might already be a JPG with a wrong extension.

Fix: Use the Format Identifier to check the actual file format.

4. Live Photos and burst shots

Live Photos include both a still image and a video clip. KoalaPic extracts the still image only. Burst shots are separate files — upload each one individually.

Still having trouble?

Contact us with the file attached and we’ll take a look.