Mac HEIC conversion guide
How to Convert HEIC to PNG on Mac
The easiest built-in way to convert HEIC to PNG on a Mac is Preview: open the HEIC image, choose File > Export, select PNG, and save the new file. You can also use FileOnTap in a browser when you want a simple no-upload workflow.
Option 1: Convert HEIC to PNG with Preview
Preview can open HEIC images on supported versions of macOS and export them in another image format. This is a good choice when you want to stay entirely within a built-in Mac app.
- Open the HEIC image in Preview.
- Choose File > Export.
- Open the Format menu.
- Select PNG.
- Choose a filename and location, then click Save.
The original HEIC file is not replaced unless you deliberately save over it. Keeping the original is useful because the converted PNG may not preserve every metadata field or Apple-specific feature.
How to convert multiple HEIC images to PNG with Preview
Open the HEIC files together in Preview and select the images in the sidebar before exporting. Apple documents this multi-image workflow; the wording of the export command can vary by macOS version.
- Select the files in Finder and open them with Preview in one window.
- Show the thumbnail sidebar and select the images you want to convert.
- Choose File > Export (or Export Selected Images when shown), choose PNG in the format options, and save copies into a new folder.
If PNG is missing from the Format menu, hold Option while opening that menu. If Preview cannot decode the image, check macOS support and try an intact source copy; renaming the extension will not fix it.
Option 2: Convert HEIC to PNG in your browser
If you want the same workflow on Mac, Windows, and iPhone, use FileOnTap HEIC to PNG. The HEIC or HEIF file is decoded and converted in your browser instead of being uploaded to a remote conversion server.
- Open the HEIC to PNG converter.
- Choose or drag in up to 10
.heicor.heiffiles. - Conversion starts automatically after selection. Wait while the browser converts files one at a time.
- Download each generated PNG, or choose Download All (.zip) after processing finishes.
FileOnTap supports up to 10 files per batch and processes them sequentially in your browser. It is useful when privacy and a consistent browser-based workflow matter.
Can Photos on Mac export HEIC as PNG?
Yes. If the image is managed in Photos, you can export a copy and choose a compatible image format. Preview is usually simpler when the HEIC already exists as a normal file in Finder, while Photos is convenient when the image is already in your photo library.
Why would you convert HEIC to PNG on a Mac?
HEIC is efficient for photo storage, but some image editors, upload systems, and graphics workflows expect PNG. PNG stores the decoded pixels without another lossy JPEG-style encoding step, which can make it a useful intermediate format for editing or image processing.
The tradeoff is file size: photographic PNG files are often much larger than the original HEIC and larger than a comparable JPG. If broad compatibility and smaller photo files matter more than lossless decoded pixels, consider HEIC to JPG.
Do not rename .heic to .png
Changing only the filename extension does not convert the image. A file renamed from photo.heic to photo.png still contains HEIC data and may fail in software that expects a real PNG file. Use Preview, Photos, or an actual converter.
What happens to metadata?
Any HEIC-to-PNG conversion creates a new image file. Some EXIF information, depth data, or other format-specific metadata may not survive the conversion. Keep the original HEIC if metadata, Live Photo information, or archival quality matters.
Convert HEIC to PNG with FileOnTap. The selected file stays on your device during conversion.
Browser batch limits and privacy
FileOnTap accepts up to 10 files per batch, 50 MiB per input. The HEIF header safety check rejects images above 45 megapixels when dimensions are available. ZIP includes successful results only, up to 100 MiB combined output. Larger results can be downloaded individually; phone memory may impose lower practical limits.
The selected photo contents stay in your browser. The website still loads assets and sends usage analytics; this is not a guarantee of offline operation or zero tracking. See the privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change HEIC to PNG on Mac without an online tool? Yes. Preview is built in and keeps the export local. Use FileOnTap when you prefer one workflow across devices or want a ZIP of up to 10 converted images.
Does PNG keep every part of the HEIC? No. PNG output does not guarantee original EXIF, depth, HDR or Live Photo video preservation. Keep the source for archival work.
Sources
Apple: convert image file types in Preview; Apple: HEIF and HEVC compatibility.