File Format & Compatibility

How to Fix iPhone HEIC Photos Not Opening in the OneDrive Desktop App

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to open iPhone photos synced to their laptop via the OneDrive desktop application because the files are saved in an unsupported format.

Product: OneDrive Desktop App
Device & OS: Windows / iOS
Scenario: Accessing and viewing iPhone images that have been uploaded and synced to a laptop through OneDrive.
Observed behavior: The photo files fail to open and display an unsupported file type error because they are saved in HEIC or HEIF format instead of universally recognized formats like JPG or PNG.

Before you start

Verify that your photos are fully synced to your local OneDrive folder and ensure you have an active internet connection if you plan to use an online conversion tool.

Solution 1Recommended

Change iPhone Camera Settings to Most Compatible (JPG)

Prevent this issue from happening in the future by configuring your iPhone camera to capture and save photos in the universally compatible JPG format instead of HEIC.

By default, iPhones save images in High-Efficiency Image Container (HEIC) format to save storage space. Changing this setting ensures that any new photos you take will be natively readable on Windows when synced through OneDrive.

Open Settings

Unlock your iPhone and tap on the 'Settings' app.

Navigate to Camera Options

Scroll down the settings menu and select 'Camera'.

Access Format Settings

Tap on 'Formats' under the Camera settings menu.

Select Most Compatible

Under the Camera Capture section, change the selection from 'High Efficiency' to 'Most Compatible'.

Applies to New Photos Only: This setting change only affects photos taken after the adjustment. Your existing HEIC photos in OneDrive will still need to be converted to JPG or PNG.

Solution 2

Convert Existing HEIC Photos to JPG or PNG

Use a reputable file conversion service or dedicated software to convert the existing HEIC photos in your OneDrive folder into a widely supported format.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Documents Seamlessly with WPS Office

While troubleshooting media file compatibility in OneDrive, you also need a reliable suite to manage your daily documents. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring that your text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations open effortlessly across all platforms.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the quick on-screen instructions to install the software.
3. Open and Sync: Launch WPS Office, sign in to your account, and easily access your documents from local storage or cloud services.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Lightweight installation that runs fast and efficiently on Windows laptops and Macs.Built-in robust PDF toolkit for easy document conversion and editing.Familiar user interface for seamless and zero-learning-curve migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPhone save photos as HEIC instead of JPG?

Apple uses the HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container) format by default because it offers high image quality while taking up significantly less storage space compared to traditional JPG files. However, it requires special extensions to be opened natively on most Windows systems.

Can Windows natively open HEIC files without third-party converters?

Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC files using the default Photos app, but you generally need to download and install the 'HEVC Video Extensions' and 'HEIF Image Extensions' from the Microsoft Store first.

Are online HEIC to JPG converters safe to use?

Reputable online converters like Zamzar are generally safe for standard images. However, if your photos contain sensitive personal information or highly private content, it is safer to use offline desktop conversion software to maintain strict privacy.

Document & File Issues