How to Convert HEIC to PNG
on Windows

Why Windows Does Not Open HEIC Files

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format since iOS 11. It uses the HEVC (H.265) codec to compress images, achieving roughly 50% smaller file sizes compared to JPEG at the same visual quality. The problem: HEVC is covered by patent licensing from MPEG-LA and HEVC Advance, and Microsoft chose not to bundle the codec with Windows.

On a stock Windows 10 or Windows 11 installation, double-clicking a .heic file produces an error or a blank thumbnail. Microsoft offers two extensions in the Microsoft Store:

• HEIF Image Extensions — free, handles the HEIF container but cannot decode HEVC data alone
• HEVC Video Extensions — $0.99, the actual codec that decodes the image pixels inside HEIC files

Both are required for native HEIC viewing. Many users install only the free one and wonder why their photos still show blank. The methods below let you bypass this limitation entirely — converting HEIC to universally compatible PNG without paying for any codec.

Why Convert to PNG Instead of JPG?

Both PNG and JPG will open on any Windows PC, but they serve different purposes:

Choose PNG when you need pixel-perfect quality, plan to crop or retouch the image later, need transparency (iOS stickers, cutouts), or want a lossless archive. Choose JPG when small file size matters more than preserving every pixel.

Method 1: Convert Online with Convertio (Fastest)

The fastest way to get a PNG from a HEIC file. No installation, no codec purchases, no Microsoft Store — just upload and download.

1. Upload your HEIC file using the converter widget above. Drag and drop works, or click to browse your files.
2. Click "Convert to PNG" and wait a few seconds. The conversion runs server-side using ImageMagick.
3. Download your PNG — the lossless file is ready immediately. It opens in every Windows application.

This method works on any Windows version, any browser, and requires zero local setup. Your files are encrypted via HTTPS and auto-deleted from our servers within 2 hours.

Method 2: HEIF Image Extensions + HEVC Codec

If you want Windows to natively open HEIC files in Photos, File Explorer thumbnails, and other apps, you can install Microsoft's codec extensions.

1. Open the Microsoft Store (search "Microsoft Store" in the Start menu).
2. Install "HEIF Image Extensions" (free). On Windows 11 22H2+, this may already be installed.
3. Install "HEVC Video Extensions" ($0.99). This is the actual decoder for HEIC image data.
4. Restart your PC. After restart, Windows Photos and File Explorer will display HEIC files.

With both extensions installed, you can open HEIC in Windows Photos and Save As → PNG:

1. Right-click the HEIC file → Open with → Photos.
2. Click the three-dot menu (…) → "Save as".
3. Change file type to .png in the save dialog.

Limitation: this method costs $0.99, works one file at a time, and not all third-party apps benefit from the extension. For batch conversions, the methods below are better.

Method 3: iMazing Converter (Free Desktop App)

iMazing Converter (formerly iMazing HEIC Converter) is a free, lightweight Windows app for converting HEIC photos and HEVC videos. It supports drag-and-drop batch conversion and outputs PNG or JPEG.

1. Download iMazing Converter from imazing.com/converter (also available on the Microsoft Store).
2. Launch the app and drag your HEIC files into the window (or click to browse). You can drop multiple files at once.
3. Select PNG as the output format.
4. Click "Convert" and choose a destination folder.

Best for: users who regularly receive HEIC files from iPhones and want a simple desktop tool with batch support.

Method 4: IrfanView + Plugins

IrfanView is a free image viewer for Windows that has been around since 1996. With the right plugins and a system-level HEVC codec, it can open and convert HEIC files.

1. Download IrfanView from irfanview.com (64-bit recommended).
2. Download the IrfanView Plugins package from the same site and install it.
3. Install a system-level HEVC codec — either Microsoft's HEVC Video Extensions ($0.99 from the Microsoft Store) or the free CopyTrans HEIC codec. IrfanView uses external codecs for HEIC decoding and cannot read HEIC files without one.
4. Open a HEIC file in IrfanView (File → Open, or drag and drop).
5. Save as PNG: File → Save As → PNG.

For batch conversion, use File → Batch Conversion/Rename:

1. Select all HEIC files in the batch dialog.
2. Set output format to PNG.
3. Choose a destination folder and click Start Batch.

IrfanView is lightweight (under 5 MB), fast, and handles hundreds of files without issues. It is a good choice for power users who already have it installed.

Method 5: ImageMagick Command Line

For technical users and automation, ImageMagick converts HEIC to PNG from the command line. This is the same tool Convertio uses on its servers.

Installation

1. Download the Windows installer from imagemagick.org/script/download.php (choose "Win64 dynamic").
2. During setup, check "Add application directory to your system path".
3. Open a new PowerShell window and verify: magick --version

Convert a Single File

magick photo.heic photo.png

No quality flag is needed — PNG is always lossless. The output file preserves full color depth and transparency.

Batch Convert All HEIC Files in a Folder

Get-ChildItem *.heic | ForEach-Object { magick $_.Name ($_.BaseName + ".png") }

This one-liner finds every .heic file in the current directory and converts it to PNG. Original files are not modified.

Optimize PNG File Size

PNG files from 12 MP iPhone photos can be 15–25 MB. You can reduce this by stripping metadata and applying maximum compression:

magick photo.heic -strip -define png:compression-level=9 photo.png

The -strip flag removes EXIF metadata (GPS, camera info), and compression-level=9 applies maximum lossless compression. This can reduce PNG file size by 10–20% with no quality loss.

Method 6: XnConvert (Batch GUI)

XnConvert is a free batch image converter with a graphical interface. It supports 500+ input formats including HEIC, and can output PNG with various processing options.

1. Download XnConvert from xnview.com/en/xnconvert/ (free for personal use).
2. Open the Input tab and add your HEIC files (drag and drop or click "Add files").
3. Switch to the Output tab and set format to PNG.
4. Choose a destination folder and click "Convert".

XnConvert also lets you add processing actions between input and output — resize, rotate, watermark, rename patterns, and more. It is the best free option for users who need both batch conversion and image processing in a single tool.

Which Method Should You Use?

For most users, the online converter is the simplest solution — no installation, no cost, works on any Windows version. If you deal with HEIC files daily and want batch processing, iMazing Converter is the easiest desktop tool. For automation and scripting, ImageMagick is the industry standard. And if you need batch conversion with built-in image processing, XnConvert is the most capable free option.

Understanding PNG File Sizes

PNG files from iPhone photos are significantly larger than the HEIC originals. This is expected and normal — it is the cost of lossless compression:

If file size is a concern and you do not need transparency or lossless quality, consider converting to JPG instead. JPG files are 3–5x smaller than PNG for photos while remaining visually identical at high quality settings.

HEIC vs PNG: Full Format Comparison

HEIC wins on file size. PNG wins on compatibility, lossless quality, and safe re-editing. For most Windows workflows — editing, archiving, sharing with others — PNG is the better target format.