HEIF to PNG Converter

Why Convert HEIF to PNG Instead of Keeping It as HEIF?

HEIF’s efficient compression relies on patent-licensed HEVC technology that a lot of software outside Apple’s ecosystem has never added support for. PNG sidesteps that problem entirely — it’s a lossless, license-free format that opens in virtually any image editor, viewer, or document tool.

Common Situations Where You Need a HEIF to PNG Converter

This comes up when a HEIF photo needs to go into a design tool like Photoshop or GIMP, since those programs generally expect PNG or JPG rather than HEIF. It’s also useful when a photo needs further editing or a transparent background added, since PNG is the format built to hold that.

What Is a HEIF File, and Why Doesn’t It Open Everywhere?

HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) typically uses HEVC video compression to store more image detail in a smaller file than JPG can manage, but HEVC’s patent licensing means many software makers outside Apple’s ecosystem chose not to add support for it. PNG has no such licensing hurdle, which is a big part of why it’s supported virtually everywhere.

How ToolFlexy’s HEIF to PNG Converter Works

Drag and drop your HEIF file into the converter and download a lossless PNG, with no sign-up and no watermark. The conversion runs entirely in your browser, so the original file is never uploaded anywhere.

Does Converting HEIF to PNG Lose Any Quality?

No — PNG is lossless, so it preserves exactly the detail present in the HEIF file at the time of conversion. The PNG will be noticeably larger in file size than the HEIF, since you’re trading HEIF’s efficient compression for PNG’s universal, license-free compatibility.

Tips for the Best Results When You Convert HEIF to PNG

If file size matters more than lossless quality, converting to JPG instead will give a much smaller, still widely compatible file. Use PNG specifically when you plan to edit the image further or need it to support transparency.

HEIF to PNG: Trading Small Size for Universal Support

HEIF’s compression is efficient enough that even a large, detailed photo can stay under a couple of megabytes, so converting to PNG’s lossless format typically triples or quadruples the file size with no change to the actual image content. That size increase is simply the price of moving to a format nearly every piece of software, old or new, can open without issue.

If the resulting PNG feels too large for your needs, our HEIF to WebP converter offers a smaller middle ground with still-strong compatibility. HEIF’s design and its relationship to HEIC are explained on Wikipedia.

As a concrete example, a 1.5 MB HEIF photo can become a 5 to 7 MB PNG once converted, since you’re trading HEIF’s efficient HEVC-based compression for a format with no compression algorithm working in your favor at all. Keep that in mind if you’re converting many files with limited storage available.

If you only need this conversion occasionally, Apple’s Preview app on Mac can also export HEIF to PNG directly without needing a separate converter at all.

For a full folder of HEIF photos, the batch upload option converts up to 100 files in one pass rather than requiring you to do each one separately by hand.

This is also the right move before sending a photo to a print shop or professional editor who specifically asked for a lossless, universally readable file format, or before handing it off to a collaborator whose design tool only imports lossless raster formats.

Looking for a different format? Browse all of our free online file converters in one place.