How to convert HEIC to JPEG automatically on Mac

What this does

iPhones save photos as HEIC by default, a format that’s smaller than JPEG but that plenty of apps, websites, and Windows machines still can’t open. This rule catches every HEIC file the moment it lands and converts it to a JPEG copy, keeping the original HEIC alongside it so nothing is lost.

What you’ll build

A rule that matches files ending in .heic, then converts each one to JPEG while keeping the original untouched.

Open the rule editor

This walkthrough happens inside FilesAutomator itself, so install it from the Mac App Store first if you have not already, then open it. In its toolbar, choose Add, then New Automation Rule.

Name the rule and choose a folder

Name it something like “Convert my HEICs to JPEG” and use Add Folder to choose the folder your photos land in, for example wherever AirDrop or your photo importer saves to.

FilesAutomator

Build the condition

Add a single condition: Extension is heic.

FilesAutomator

Add the action steps

Step 1: Convert image

Choose Add Step, then Convert image. Set “Convert to” to JPEG, and leave Quality at its default, which is a good balance of size and sharpness.

Set “Keep the original file as” to Left untouched, new file created separately, so the HEIC stays exactly where it was and the JPEG appears next to it.

FilesAutomator

Turn it on

Select Create Automation Rule, then switch the rule on. Because the original is always kept, this one is safe to leave running indefinitely, and every conversion it makes is undoable from Activity if you ever change your mind.

A faster way

The template gallery inside FilesAutomator already has this rule ready to install, named Convert HEIC to JPEG.