FreeWrench
HEIC to PNG
PNG keeps every pixel of the decoded photo, which makes it the better choice when the picture is going into an editor rather than straight to a website.
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How to use it
- Add one or more HEIC files.
- Wait a moment while your device decodes them.
- Download the PNG files individually or as a ZIP.
Good to know
PNG files made from photos are big, often five to ten times the size of the HEIC. If you only want to share or upload the picture, HEIC to JPG makes far more sense.
When PNG beats JPG for an iPhone photo
| Choose PNG if | Choose JPG if |
|---|---|
| You will edit and re-save it several times | You only want to share or upload it |
| The picture goes into a design file | File size matters |
| You need a clean master copy | A form asks for JPG |
What to expect
- There is no quality setting, since PNG does not discard anything after the photo is decoded.
- Expect a large file. A 2 MB iPhone photo can easily become 15 MB or more.
- Camera and location data are not copied into the PNG.
- PNG will not recover detail, because HEIC is already compressed. It only stops further loss.
HEIC, JPG and PNG side by side
| Format | File size | Opens on | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEIC | Small | Apple devices and newer software | Keeping photos on your phone |
| JPG | Medium | Almost everything | Sharing and uploading |
| PNG | Large | Almost everything | Editing without further loss |
Questions
When is PNG better than JPG for a photo?
When you plan to edit and re-save it several times. PNG does not degrade with each save, while JPG does.
Are the colours preserved?
The image is converted to standard sRGB colour. Wide-gamut iPhone colours may look slightly less saturated on capable screens.