How to Convert HEIC to PNG: Complete 2025 Guide

When you need to convert iPhone photos for professional editing, graphic design, or situations requiring transparency support, converting HEIC to PNG is your best option. PNG offers 100% lossless quality—no compression artifacts, perfect for editing workflows.

In this guide, you'll learn three reliable methods to convert HEIC to PNG while preserving maximum image quality, whether you're on Windows, Mac, or prefer browser-based conversion.

Quick Answer: The fastest way to convert HEIC to PNG is using ConvertFast's free online converter. Your images are converted directly in your browser with complete privacy—no uploads, instant results, and unlimited conversions.

Table of Contents

• Why Convert HEIC to PNG Instead of JPG?
• Method 1: Convert HEIC to PNG Online (Recommended)
• Method 2: Convert HEIC to PNG on Windows
• Method 3: Convert HEIC to PNG on Mac
• Batch Converting Multiple HEIC Files to PNG
• PNG vs JPG: When to Use Each Format
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why Convert HEIC to PNG Instead of JPG?

While both PNG and JPG can display your iPhone photos, they serve different purposes:

Choose PNG when you need:

• Lossless quality: Zero compression artifacts, perfect pixel-by-pixel accuracy
• Transparency support: PNG supports alpha channels (transparent backgrounds)
• Professional editing: Preserve maximum detail for Photoshop, GIMP, or other editors
• Graphics and text: Screenshots, diagrams, logos look sharper in PNG
• Multiple edits: Re-save PNG files without quality degradation

Choose JPG when you need:

• Smaller file sizes: JPG files are 60-80% smaller than PNG
• Web optimization: Faster loading times for websites
• Photography: Natural photos don't benefit from PNG's lossless compression
• Email and sharing: Smaller files for quick sending

File Size Comparison:

• Original HEIC (iPhone): 2.5 MB
• Converted to PNG: 8-12 MB (lossless)
• Converted to JPG (95% quality): 2-3 MB (lossy)

Method 1: Convert HEIC to PNG Online (Recommended)

Best for: Most users who want instant, private conversions without downloading software.

Using ConvertFast (Free & Client-Side Processing)

ConvertFast converts your HEIC files to PNG entirely in your web browser. Unlike traditional online converters that upload your photos to remote servers, ConvertFast processes everything locally for complete privacy.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Visit ConvertFast HEIC to PNG Converter
2. Upload Your HEIC Files
   • Click "Select Files" or drag and drop iPhone photos
   • Batch convert up to 100 images simultaneously
   • Supported formats: HEIC, HEIF
3. Conversion Happens Automatically
   • PNG format selected by default (100% lossless)
   • No quality loss during conversion
   • Transparency preserved if present in original
4. Download Your PNG Files
   • Download files individually
   • Or download all as a ZIP archive
   • Files ready for immediate use in any application

Why ConvertFast Stands Out:

• ✅ Complete Privacy: Images never uploaded—processed in your browser
• ✅ Lossless Quality: Perfect pixel-by-pixel conversion to PNG
• ✅ Unlimited & Free: No file size limits, no daily caps, zero cost
• ✅ Batch Processing: Convert 100 images in one go
• ✅ Instant Results: No waiting for uploads or server queues
• ✅ No Account Required: Start converting immediately

Convert HEIC to PNG Now →

Method 2: Convert HEIC to PNG on Windows

Option A: Using Online Converter (Easiest)

Since Windows doesn't have built-in HEIC to PNG conversion, using ConvertFast in your browser is the fastest option. No software installation needed.

Option B: Using Image Editing Software

If you already have photo editing software installed:

Using Paint.NET (Free):

1. Install the HEIC plugin for Paint.NET
2. Open HEIC file in Paint.NET
3. File > Save As > PNG
4. Choose compression level (recommended: Best Quality)

Using GIMP (Free, Open Source):

1. Install GIMP and HEIC import plugin
2. File > Open > Select HEIC file
3. File > Export As > Change extension to .png
4. Click "Export" (keep default settings)

Using Adobe Photoshop:

1. Ensure you have the latest version (HEIC support added in 2022)
2. File > Open > Select HEIC file
3. File > Export > Export As
4. Format: PNG, Quality: Maximum
5. Click "Export"

Limitations:

• ⚠️ Requires software installation and setup
• ⚠️ Some tools require paid plugins for HEIC support
• ⚠️ Manual process for each file (no batch conversion)

Method 3: Convert HEIC to PNG on Mac

Option A: Using Preview App (Built-in)

macOS Preview has native HEIC support and can export to PNG.

Steps:

1. Open HEIC file in Preview (double-click)
2. File > Export
3. Format dropdown: Select "PNG"
4. Adjust quality if needed (use maximum for lossless)
5. Click "Save"

For Batch Conversion:

1. Select multiple HEIC files in Finder
2. Right-click > Open With > Preview
3. In Preview: Edit > Select All
4. File > Export Selected Images
5. Format: PNG
6. Choose destination folder and click "Choose"

Option B: Using Shortcuts App (macOS Monterey+)

Create a reusable automation workflow:

1. Open Shortcuts app
2. Create new shortcut
3. Add action: "Get File" > "Convert Image" > "Save File"
4. Set output format to PNG
5. Save shortcut as "HEIC to PNG"
6. Right-click HEIC files > Share > Your shortcut name

Option C: Using Command Line (Advanced Users)

Use sips (Scriptable Image Processing System):

# Convert single file
sips -s format png input.heic --out output.png

# Batch convert all HEIC files in current folder
for file in *.heic; do
  sips -s format png "$file" --out "${file%.heic}.png"
done

Why Mac Users Might Still Prefer Online:

• Preview doesn't support batch processing easily
• Online converters are faster for many files
• No need to learn command-line tools

Batch Converting Multiple HEIC Files to PNG

When you have dozens or hundreds of iPhone photos to convert:

Best Solution: ConvertFast Batch Converter

1. Visit ConvertFast
2. Drag and drop up to 100 HEIC files at once
3. Click "Convert to PNG"
4. Download all as ZIP file

Advantages:

• ✅ Processes up to 100 files simultaneously
• ✅ Progress indicator for each file
• ✅ Download all at once as ZIP
• ✅ Works on any device (Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile)

Alternative: Desktop Software

For Windows: IrfanView (with plugins), XnConvert For Mac: Preview (manual), Automator workflows

PNG vs JPG: When to Use Each Format

Real-World Use Cases:

Use PNG for:

• Screenshots with text
• Logos and icons
• Graphics with sharp edges
• Images needing transparency
• Files you'll edit multiple times
• Professional print work

Use JPG for:

• Natural photographs
• Social media uploads
• Email attachments
• Web galleries
• Mobile viewing
• Storage-constrained situations

Frequently Asked Questions

Does converting HEIC to PNG lose quality?

No! PNG is a lossless format, meaning the conversion preserves 100% of the original image data from your HEIC file. Every pixel is identical to the source. This is unlike JPG conversion, which uses lossy compression.

Why are PNG files so much larger than HEIC?

HEIC uses advanced H.265/HEVC compression technology to create very small files. PNG, being lossless, stores all pixel data without compression, resulting in files 3-5× larger. The tradeoff is perfect quality preservation.

Can PNG files have transparent backgrounds?

Yes! PNG supports full alpha channel transparency, which HEIC also supports. If your HEIC file has a transparent background (e.g., from certain apps), it will be preserved in the PNG conversion.

Should I convert my entire iPhone photo library to PNG?

Generally, no. PNG files are 3-5× larger than HEIC, quickly filling your storage. Only convert photos you need for editing, graphics work, or specific applications that require PNG format.

Can I convert HEIC to PNG on my phone?

Yes! Browser-based converters like ConvertFast work perfectly on iPhone, Android, and tablets. Just open Safari or Chrome, upload your photos, and download the PNG versions.

How long does HEIC to PNG conversion take?

With ConvertFast, conversion is nearly instant:

• 1 image: < 1 second
• 10 images: 5-10 seconds
• 100 images: 1-2 minutes

Speed depends on your device's processing power since conversion happens in your browser.

Is there a file size limit for conversion?

ConvertFast can handle images up to 50 MB each. Most iPhone photos are 2-5 MB in HEIC format, well within limits. For batch conversion, the total combined size depends on your device's available memory.

Does PNG support EXIF metadata from HEIC files?

Yes, most converters preserve EXIF metadata during HEIC to PNG conversion, including:

• Date and time taken
• GPS location data
• Camera settings
• Device information

Note: Some metadata (like certain Apple-specific fields) may be lost depending on the conversion tool.

Conclusion

Converting HEIC to PNG ensures maximum image quality for editing, graphic design, and professional workflows. While PNG files are larger than JPG or HEIC, they preserve perfect, lossless quality—essential for situations where every pixel matters.

Quick Recap:

• Best Method: Use ConvertFast's online converter for instant, private conversions
• PNG Advantages: Lossless quality, transparency support, perfect for editing
• When to Use PNG: Graphics, text-heavy images, professional editing, transparency needs
• When to Use JPG: Natural photos, web sharing, smaller file sizes

Ready to convert? Try ConvertFast's HEIC to PNG converter now—free, unlimited, and 100% private.

Related Guides:

• How to Convert HEIC to JPG
• What is HEIC Format? Complete Guide
• PNG vs JPG: When to Use Each
• WebP Format Explained