iMessage saves images as HEIC - how to change

Yes, I realize you can do a 10-step procedure and change an HEIC (which no one uses) to JPEG (which everyone uses). Is there a way to change iMessage in Mac OS (Big Sur) from saving off image files as these useless HEIC files?


If not, when I Apple planning on implementing this as a user choosable setting?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Oct 16, 2023 6:21 PM

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1 reply
Question marked as Helpful

Oct 19, 2023 6:19 AM in response to orangehelp71

Actually all you have to do is change the extension from .heic to .jpg


In some cases the change is automatic, for example when dragging a heic pic to mail, it will automatically be converted to jpg.


I have never found it to problem and appreciate the savings in storage space with no affect on image quality when compared to jpg.

5 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Oct 19, 2023 6:19 AM in response to orangehelp71

Actually all you have to do is change the extension from .heic to .jpg


In some cases the change is automatic, for example when dragging a heic pic to mail, it will automatically be converted to jpg.


I have never found it to problem and appreciate the savings in storage space with no affect on image quality when compared to jpg.

iMessage saves images as HEIC - how to change

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