Why and How to Convert HEIC to PDF on Mac?

Posted in Apple, Internet • 6 months ago • Written by Jim • No Comments

If you are using iOS 11 or later, you will see the photos you capture from your iPhone are stored as HEIC files. Before iOS 11, the photos taken from an iPhone camera were stored as JPG. The problem with the HEIC file format is that it is not compatible with many other devices and apps.

Users may not be able to view HEIC files after transferring them to computers or smartphones. Converting HEIC images to PDF or JPG format can make them accessible on Android devices as well as Mac and Windows computers.

In this article, we will learn how to convert HEIC to PDF on Mac in Preview. Let’s first discuss a little more about HEIC files.

What Is HEIC?

HEIC is Apple’s proprietary space-saving image format used on iPhones to store photos. The purpose of the HEIC files is to consume less storage space while saving images on the iPhone. They reduce the size of the file without compromising the image quality.

Why HEIC?

HEIC is known to be better than JPEG file format in numerous ways. The topmost reason is its ability to compress images into a small file size which is nearly 50% lesser than JPG. Despite the fact that more developers are turning to adopt the HEIC format, it’s still not gaining much popularity among common users.

Although HEIC is a space-saving file format, they display compatibility issues when you try to view them on Android. The problem is similar to the issue that you experience when attempting to play MP4 on Mac, as QuickTime doesn’t support all MP4 versions. In both cases, either you require a third-party app or simply convert data to another file format.

Another popular file format – PDF, has become a tried-and-true standard that is supported on all operating systems and screen sizes. Plus, it retains the integrity of data, no matter what. You don’t have to worry about security while saving images as PDFs.

Convert HEIC to PDF in Preview

Now, it’s time to discuss how to convert HEIC to PDF on Mac. You can convert or merge HEIC files to PDF using the Preview app. The best thing is that you don’t have to spend on buying a professional tool for converting HEIC to PDF.

To begin the process, select HEIC files and right-click to select Open with Preview. Now, click on the HEIC file in the Preview window, click on the File menu, and select Export Selected Images. Select PDF in the Format field and set Quartz Filter to Reduce File Size.

Next, tap Choose. Click on a file in the left sidebar, and you can preview the Thumbnail in the right window. Again, click on the File menu and select Save. You can convert either one or multiple HEIC files to PDF.

Additionally, you can merge multiple HEIC files into one PDF using the same process for better storage. Saving images as PDF files makes them secure, and you can share them over email or via messaging apps with others.

Convert HEIC to JPG in Photos App

If you are looking to convert HEIC to JPG, use Apple’s proprietary Photos app. After converting the iPhone image to JPG or PNG using the Photos app, you can use the file in any app you want. Most photo editing apps or image processing software support both PNG and JPG.

To convert HEIC to JPG:

Open the Photos app.
Select the file you want to convert.
Navigate to the File menu, click Export, and select Export Photo.
From the Photo Kind drop-down menu, select JPG or PNG, and tap Export.
At last, select the location to save the resultant JPG files on your Mac.

While storing files on Mac, users prefer dropping them on the desktop for easy and quick access. Avoid saving data on the Mac desktop as not only it seems unorganized, but also slows down your computer’s performance. Make a folder and keep all your files inside it for better file management.

Stop Your iPhone From Saving Images as HEIC

If you find it difficult to deal with HEIC photos and they are becoming more of a hassle, here’s a quick solution. Tweak your iPhone settings to stop it from storing images as HEIC. To do this, go to Settings, click Camera, tap Formats, and select Most Compatible.

The Conclusion

PDF is the most portable file format, while JPG and PNG are widely supported over all devices and operating systems. Mac’s built-in apps allow you to convert HEIC files to PDF, JPG, and PNG. For quick conversion, you can use third-party tools but make sure to download them from official websites only.