Convert HEIC to PDF: How to Turn iPhone Photos into PDF

If you take photos on an iPhone, they are saved as HEIC files by default. HEIC is Apple's modern image format — it produces smaller files at the same quality as JPG. The problem? Most PDF converters and document tools don't accept HEIC files. Here is how to convert HEIC to PDF on any device.

What Is HEIC and Why Is It a Problem?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's image format, introduced with iOS 11. It stores photos at roughly half the file size of JPG while maintaining the same visual quality. iPhones use it by default since 2017.

The compatibility problem: HEIC is not widely supported outside of Apple devices. Windows, most Android devices, and the vast majority of web tools cannot open or process .heic files directly. Before converting HEIC to PDF, you typically need to convert the HEIC file to JPG or PNG first.

Method 1: Convert HEIC to PDF Directly on iPhone

Apple's native Files app can help with a workaround:

1. Open the Photos app and select the photo(s) you want
2. Tap the Share icon (box with arrow up)
3. Scroll down and tap "Print"
4. In the Printer Options screen, use a pinch-to-zoom gesture on the preview — this opens a PDF version of your photo
5. Tap the Share icon again and save or share the PDF

This works for single photos. For multiple HEIC photos in one PDF, you will need a different approach.

Method 2: Change iPhone Camera Settings to Save as JPG

The simplest long-term fix is to configure your iPhone to shoot in JPG format instead:

1. Go to Settings → Camera → Formats
2. Select "Most Compatible" (saves as JPG) instead of "High Efficiency" (HEIC)

From this point forward, your photos will be saved as JPG, which you can convert to PDF directly using our JPG to PDF converter.

Method 3: Convert HEIC to JPG First, Then to PDF

For existing HEIC files, the most reliable cross-platform approach:

1. On Mac: Open the HEIC file in Preview, then go to File → Export → select JPEG format. Then upload the JPG to our converter.
2. On Windows: Install the free "HEIF Image Extensions" from the Microsoft Store. This allows Windows Photos to open and save HEIC files as JPG.
3. On iPhone: When sharing a HEIC photo via AirDrop to a non-Apple device or uploading it to a website, iOS automatically converts it to JPG. Simply uploading a HEIC photo to a web tool often works automatically.

Converting Multiple HEIC Photos into One PDF

If you need to combine multiple iPhone photos into a single PDF document:

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Camera → Formats and switch to "Most Compatible"
2. Take or retake the photos (they will save as JPG)
3. Upload them all to converttopdf.online/jpg-to-pdf
4. Drag to reorder, choose your page size, and download the merged PDF

We are actively working on native HEIC support — watch this space. In the meantime, the JPG conversion step takes under a minute and the result is identical quality.