Quick Answer
Google Drive does NOT convert HEIC to JPG — it stores them as-is. To convert: download the HEIC file from Drive to your computer, use the HEIC to JPG Converter Chrome extension to convert it locally, then re-upload the JPG if needed. Google Photos (a separate Google service) has better HEIC viewing and download options.
Many people use Google Drive to share iPhone photos with colleagues, clients, or family members. When those photos are in HEIC format, recipients on Windows and Android often can't open them from Drive. The confusion arises from mistakenly expecting Drive to handle HEIC conversion — it doesn't.
What Google Drive Can (and Can't) Do With HEIC
| Capability | Google Drive | Google Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Store HEIC files | Yes | Yes |
| Preview HEIC (web browser) | Limited (no preview on Windows) | Yes (converts for display) |
| Convert HEIC to JPG | No | Partial (on download) |
| Share HEIC with link | Yes (recipients can download) | Yes |
| Organize into albums | Folders only | Full album support |
| Count toward Google storage | Yes | Yes (both count) |
Method 1: Download, Convert, Re-upload
The most reliable workflow for converting HEIC files that are already in Google Drive:
- Download the HEIC file from Google Drive Right-click the HEIC file in Drive and select Download. The file saves to your Downloads folder.
- Install the HEIC to JPG Converter extension If not already installed, add the HEIC to JPG Converter from the Chrome Web Store.
- Convert the downloaded HEIC file Drag the HEIC file into Chrome or use Ctrl+O to open it. Click the extension icon, set quality to 90%, and click Convert. The JPG downloads to your Downloads folder.
- Re-upload the JPG to Google Drive Drag the converted JPG into your Google Drive folder. Replace or supplement the original HEIC file as needed.
Convert HEIC Files From Google Drive
Download → Convert in Chrome → Done. No uploads to third-party servers.
Add HEIC to JPG ConverterMethod 2: Use Google Photos Instead
For better HEIC handling, consider using Google Photos instead of Google Drive for your photo storage. Google Photos handles HEIC more gracefully:
- HEIC photos from iPhone can be backed up to Google Photos via the Google Photos iOS app
- Google Photos can display HEIC photos in the web browser (converts for preview)
- When you download from Google Photos on a Windows browser, it sometimes converts HEIC to JPG automatically
- Google Photos' "Download as zip" converts HEIC to JPG in some configurations
Method 3: Convert Before Uploading
The cleanest solution is to prevent the problem entirely by converting HEIC to JPG before uploading to Google Drive:
- Set iPhone to transfer as JPG Go to Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Automatic. When you AirDrop or USB-transfer to a Mac, photos arrive as JPG automatically.
- Or convert after transfer Use the HEIC to JPG Converter extension on any HEIC files on your computer before uploading to Drive.
- Upload JPGs to Drive Upload the JPG files to your Google Drive folder. Recipients on all devices can now open them without issues.
Sharing HEIC Files via Google Drive: Best Practices
If you regularly share photos via Google Drive with mixed (Apple + Windows) audiences:
- For personal albums / family sharing: Use Google Photos instead of Drive — it has better HEIC handling and photo-optimized features
- For work / client deliverables: Always convert to JPG before uploading to Drive — professionalism means recipients can open files without troubleshooting
- For large batch archives: Convert to JPG using macOS sips or ImageMagick (see batch conversion guide), then upload the JPG folder to Drive
- For collaborative projects: Use JPG — every team member on any device or OS can work with JPG without compatibility issues
