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How to Convert iPhone HEIC Photos Downloaded from OneDrive
Question details
Users need to convert iPhone photos and videos stored in OneDrive from HEIC format into a standard format before transferring them to an external hard drive.
- Product
- OneDrive
- Device & OS
- iOS / Windows / Mac
- Scenario
- Transferring media files from OneDrive cloud storage to an external drive while ensuring the files are in a widely compatible format.
- Observed behavior
- OneDrive downloads the files in their original HEIC format and does not offer a built-in feature to automatically convert them to JPG or other formats during the transfer.
Ensure you have enough available local storage on your computer to temporarily download the HEIC files from OneDrive before beginning the conversion process.
Download Locally and Use a Third-Party Converter
Because OneDrive cannot convert cloud files directly, you must download the HEIC files to your computer and use a dedicated conversion tool.
OneDrive is designed to preserve the exact file format that was uploaded from your iOS device. To change these HEIC files to a universally recognized format like JPG, the conversion must be done locally on your machine before you move the files to an external drive.
Open your web browser or the OneDrive desktop app, select the HEIC photos and videos you want to transfer, and click the 'Download' button to save them to your local hard drive.
Download and install a trusted third-party HEIC to JPG image converter or video conversion software on your computer.
Launch the converter tool, import the HEIC files you just downloaded, choose 'JPG' (or another preferred format) as the output, and click 'Convert'.
Plug your external drive into the computer, locate the newly converted files, and copy them directly onto the external drive.
Manage All Your Documents with Ease Using WPS Office
While third-party tools are required for HEIC conversions, managing your daily documents shouldn't require extra software. WPS Office is a lightweight, fully-featured office suite that handles your Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF files seamlessly without the high cost of traditional Office subscriptions.
- 1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office documents without any formatting loss.
- 3. Sync Across Devices: Log in to your WPS account to securely sync and access your documents across your PC, Mac, and smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my iPhone upload photos to OneDrive in HEIC format?
Apple uses the High Efficiency Image Container (HEIC) format by default on newer iPhones. This format maintains high image quality while taking up significantly less storage space, and OneDrive uploads these original files to preserve their quality.
Can I convert HEIC to JPG directly inside the OneDrive app?
No, neither the OneDrive mobile app nor the web version offers a built-in feature to convert HEIC files to other formats. They function strictly as cloud storage and synchronization tools.
Does Windows natively support viewing HEIC files?
Windows 10 and Windows 11 can open HEIC files natively using the default Photos app, provided you have downloaded the free 'HEIF Image Extensions' from the Microsoft Store.
What is the best format to convert HEIC photos to for an external drive?
JPG (or JPEG) is universally recommended for external drives, as it is supported by almost every operating system, smart TV, digital photo frame, and media player currently available.
