How to Download HEIF Images from iPhone to Mac/PC?

With the releasing of HEIF (.heic) image format after iOS 11, Apple users with iOS 11 can take photos with their iPhone or iPad camera, remaining the image quality but reducing the image size. However, as a new image format for Apple device, the HEIC images only works well with some iOS 11 devices and Mac with macOS High Sierra or higher. And if you want to view or manage HEIF photos on computer, you need to download them to your Mac or Windows PC at first, then you can convert HEIC images to JPEG format if needed.

So this article is about to show you different ways to download HEIF images from iPhone to Mac or PC. You can choose one of them as you like after comparing.

1. Download HEIF Images from iPhone to Mac via Photos App

2. Upload HEIF Photos from iPhone to PC with iCloud Photo Library

3. Selectively Import HEIF Images to Mac/PC with Coolmuster iOS Assistant (Recommended)

Download HEIF Images from iPhone to Mac via Photos App

The latest version of Photos app on Mac enables you to view, import and export HEIF photos easily. Since the HEIF file only supports to work with High Sierra or higher system on Mac, please make sure your Mac and macOS is the newest version before using Mac Photos app to manage HEIC images.

Here is how to download HEIF images to Mac computer:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to Mac with a USB cable and make your iPhone detected by Mac.

Step 2. Launch the Photos app on Mac, and click the "Import" button on the top right conner.

Step 3. Then you might see the HEIF photos from your iPhone.

Step 4. Click "Import All New Photos" or select desired photos manually to import them to your computer.

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Upload HEIF Photos from iPhone to PC with iCloud Photo Library

iCloud Photo Library can work with both Windows and Mac computer, and it can stores all your pictures and videos in iCloud from your iPhone or iPad devices. You can access the library from any device at any time, so iCloud Photo Library can be regarded as a great HEIF downloader and viewer tool on your Windows and Mac computer.

Steps on downloading HEIF images from iPhone to Windows computer:

Step 1. Download iCloud for Windows on your computer and launch it.

Step 2. Sign into your iCloud account with your Apple ID and password, and click "Options" button besides Photo to open "iCloud Photo Library" on your computer.

Step 3. Open the File Explore window and click "iCloud Photos" under Favorites section.

Step 4. Click "Download photos and videos" option and choose the HEIF images you want, then hit "Download" option to save them on your computer.

Tips: Please make sure you have turned on iCloud Photo Library on your iPhone and computer. You can enable it with the following instructions:
· On iPhone device, please tap "Settings" > "Photos & Camera" > "iCloud Photo Library" and switch it on;
· On Windows PC, please click "Windows menu" > "iCloud" > "Options" > "iCloud Photo Library";
· On Mac computer, please hit "System Preferences" > "iCloud" > "Options" > "iCloud Photo Library".

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Selectively Import HEIF Images to Mac/PC with Coolmuster iOS Assistant

Coolmuster iOS Assistant is fully compatible with iOS 11 and supports to backup or download HEIC images from iPhone to Windows PC or Mac computer. And it enables iOS device users to better manage (import/export/edit and etc.)iOS data on iPhone/iPad/iPod like contacts, messages, photos, videos, calendars, notes, call history and etc. And it is compatible with all generations of iOS device, including iPhone 14/13/12/11/X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, iPad, iPod and etc.

Free download the program on your Windows PC or Mac computer with the download icon below.

Steps to download HEIF images to PC/Mac:

Step 1. Launch the Coolmuster iOS Assistant on your computer and link your iPhone to computer with a USB cord.

Step 2. When the program has detected your iPhone, please click "Photos" tab on the left panel to load all the pictures on your iPhone, including the HEIC images.

Step 3. Then you might select the HEIC images you want to download, and click "Export" option on the top to save them on your Mac or Windows PC all at once.

The Bottom Line

Those are the different ways to download HEIC photos from iPhone to Windows PC or Mac computer. These methods are proven, safe and reliable. Choose the one that works for you, and follow the steps to try it out now.

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