Convert HEIC to PNG Online
Free, private HEIC to PNG converter. Your files never leave your browser. All processing happens locally on your device.
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images, PDFs, documents, audio, video, and more
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FormatShift converts files directly in your browser. Your files never leave your device, so there's nothing to intercept or leak.
Instant Export
Files convert on your machine, so downloads are ready right away, even on slow connections.
High Fidelity
Good encoding keeps your files looking and sounding right, even at smaller sizes.
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How to convert HEIC to PNG
Drop your HEIC file
Drag your file onto the converter above, or click to browse your files. Your files stay on your device.
Automatic conversion
FormatShift converts your file right in your browser using WebAssembly. No server involved, so your data stays completely private.
Download your PNG file
Once the conversion finishes, click the download button and you are done. The converted file is ready to use.
Why convert HEIC to PNG?
HEIC and PNG serve different purposes. Converting between them lets you use whichever format works best for your situation.
What is a HEIC file?
High Efficiency Image Container: HEIC is the default photo format on iPhones and iPads. It produces smaller files than JPEG while keeping better quality, but compatibility outside Apple devices can be spotty.
Created by: Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), adopted by Apple in iOS 11 (2017)
Used for: iPhone and iPad photos, Apple ecosystem image storage
Technical details: Based on the HEVC (H.265) video codec. Supports lossy compression, transparency, and image sequences. Roughly 50% smaller than JPEG at similar quality.
Compatibility: Natively supported on Apple devices and macOS. Windows requires the HEIC extension from the Microsoft Store. Limited browser support.
What is a PNG file?
Portable Network Graphics: PNG is a lossless image format that supports transparency. It was created as a patent-free replacement for GIF back in the mid-1990s and quickly became the standard for web graphics that need clean edges or see-through backgrounds.
Created by: PNG Development Group, first released in 1996
Used for: Web graphics, logos, screenshots, icons, anything that needs transparency or sharp text
Technical details: Lossless compression, so the image looks identical to the original. Supports 8-bit and 24-bit color with an alpha channel for transparency. File sizes tend to be larger than JPEG for photos but smaller for graphics with flat colors.
Compatibility: Every browser, operating system, and image editor supports PNG. It is one of the most universally readable formats.
HEIC vs PNG
| Feature | HEIC | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Type | High Efficiency Image Container | Portable Network Graphics |
| Best for | iPhone and iPad photos, Apple ecosystem image storage | Web graphics, logos, screenshots, icons, anything that needs transparency or sharp text |
| Compatibility | Natively supported on Apple devices and macOS. Windows requires the HEIC extension from the Microsoft Store. Limited browser support. | Every browser, operating system, and image editor supports PNG. It is one of the most universally readable formats. |
| Pros | Excellent compression, great quality for photos, Apple native support | Lossless quality, transparency support, universal compatibility |
| Cons | Limited compatibility outside Apple ecosystem, requires codec support on Windows | Larger file sizes than JPEG for photographs, no animation support (use APNG or GIF for that) |