How to Convert HEIC to PNG (With Transparency)

Most people converting iPhone photos think only about JPG. But PNG is often the better choice for screenshots, graphics, app assets, and any image that will be edited further. PNG offers lossless compression, meaning zero quality loss in the conversion — and it supports transparency.

HEIC to PNG conversion isn't as commonly discussed as HEIC to JPG, but the process is just as straightforward when you have the right tool.

When to Choose PNG Over JPG

Both JPG and PNG are excellent formats, but they serve different purposes:

Method 1: Chrome Extension (Recommended)

The HEIC to JPG Converter Chrome extension supports multiple output formats, including PNG. It's the fastest method on Windows and requires no software downloads.

1. Install the Chrome extension Go to the HEIC to JPG Converter on the Chrome Web Store and click "Add to Chrome".
2. Open your HEIC file in Chrome Drag the HEIC file into a Chrome tab, or use Ctrl+O to open it through the file dialog.
3. Click the extension icon Click the HEIC Convert icon in your Chrome toolbar. The conversion panel opens.
4. Select PNG as output format In the format dropdown, choose PNG instead of JPG. Since PNG is lossless, there's no quality slider — every conversion uses maximum quality automatically.
5. Click Convert and Download Your PNG file downloads to your Downloads folder. The file will be larger than the HEIC original, but fully lossless.

Method 2: macOS Preview (Built-In)

On Mac, the built-in Preview app can open HEIC files and export them as PNG with no additional software.

1. Open your HEIC file in Preview Double-click the HEIC file. On macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later, Preview opens HEIC natively.
2. Go to File → Export In the menu bar, click File and select Export (not Export as PDF).
3. Choose PNG format In the export dialog, click the Format dropdown and select PNG.
4. Save the file Choose a destination folder and click Save. The PNG file is created at full quality.

Does HEIC Support Transparency?

Yes — the HEIF specification (which HEIC is based on) includes full support for alpha channels (transparency). However, in practice, most HEIC files from iPhone cameras are fully opaque — they contain no transparent pixels because photos don't have transparent areas.

Transparency in HEIC is primarily used by:

• App icons and graphics exported in HEIC format
• Stickers created with iOS tools
• Screenshots of apps with intentional transparent regions
• Graphic design exports using HEIC from professional tools

If you're converting a typical iPhone photo (a landscape, portrait, or food photo), it won't have any transparency to preserve — JPG will work just as well and produce a smaller file.

HEIC to PNG: File Size Considerations

One important consideration: PNG files are larger than both HEIC and JPG files. This is the inherent cost of lossless compression.

PNG vs JPG: Which to Use After Converting from HEIC?

Choose PNG when:

• You need lossless quality for further editing (screenshots, graphics)
• The image contains transparency or will need a transparent background
• You're using the image as a source file in a design workflow
• Sharp text edges are important (UI screenshots, infographics)
• The image will be saved and re-saved multiple times (lossless preserves quality)

Choose JPG when:

• You're sharing a photo via email, messaging, or social media
• You're uploading to a website or blog
• File size matters (web performance, storage)
• The image is a photograph (not a screenshot or graphic)
• The recipient's device or app may not handle PNG well