You’ve just captured the ideal photo on your iPhone and are ready to upload it to your WordPress site. However, you notice that the file format is HEIC, and a wave of concern washes over you. Will this format work online?
This is a common concern, and for a long time, it posed a challenge since most web browsers couldn’t display HEIC images. At CanadaCreate, we have managed a vast media library for over 16 years, so we know how essential it is for your images to function seamlessly without any additional steps.
The good news is that WordPress now automatically converts HEIC files for you. There’s no need for special software or plugins to complete the task.
In this guide, we will explain how this built-in conversion feature works and what steps to take if you encounter any issues.
Benefits of Using HEIC Images in WordPress
One of the simplest ways to enhance your WordPress blog’s content is by incorporating images. They can significantly increase user engagement and boost page views on your site.
We typically recommend using the PNG format for screenshots, JPG for photos, and GIF for animations. Additionally, it’s important to optimize your images to ensure they don’t slow down your website.
Apple and other companies have introduced a new image format known as HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container). Additionally, there is a HEIF format for photos and a HEVC format for videos.
This format offers superior compression, resulting in smaller file sizes without compromising image quality. It is commonly used by iPhone cameras and certain Android devices for saving photos.
With the release of WordPress 6.7, HEIC support has been integrated into the platform. You can now upload HEIC images directly to your WordPress Media Library, just like you would with JPG or PNG files. There is no need to convert them to another format beforehand or to use a plugin for conversion.
Helpful Tip:If you are using an older version of WordPress, consider checking out our beginner’s guide on safely updating WordPress.
It is important to note that not all web browsers support HEIC. Therefore, WordPress will automatically convert the image to JPG format to ensure it displays correctly in any browser.
WordPress performs this conversion using the built-in image processing tools of your web server. This requires that your server has the necessary libraries installed. If these libraries are missing, the image will not be converted and will not appear on your site.
For further information, please refer to the troubleshooting section at the end of this article.
How WordPress Automatically Converts HEIC Images to JPG Format
You can easily upload HEIC images to WordPress just like you would with other formats such as PNG, JPG, and GIF. Simply go to the WordPress Media Library and drag your HEIC image onto the page.
After the upload is complete, WordPress will automatically convert the HEIC file to JPG format, allowing you to use it seamlessly on your WordPress site.
Our tests with various HEIC images showed that the converted JPG images maintained the same high quality as the originals, making it ideal for users who want to share stunning photos.
When you click on the image to access its attachment page (refer to the screenshot below), you’ll notice that the image is now in JPG format.
While WordPress displays the JPG version on your site, the original HEIC image is still preserved. This ensures you have access to your high-quality photo for future use or downloads, while providing a compatible version for all visitors.
You can download the original HEIC image from the attachment page using the ‘Original image’ link.
If you need assistance with uploading images to the Media Library, check out our guide on how to properly add images in WordPress.
Resolving Issues with HEIC to JPG Conversion in WordPress
To successfully convert HEIC files, your WordPress hosting server must have the appropriate tools. Specifically, WordPress utilizes a PHP extension known as Imagick, which depends on the ImageMagick software library. Your server should have ImageMagick version 7.0.8-26 or later to manage HEIC files.
Some hosting providers, such as Hostinger, may already have an updated version of ImageMagick installed, allowing WordPress to automatically convert your HEIC images.
However, this is not true for all hosting providers. If your web server lacks ImageMagick or has an outdated version, WordPress will be unable to convert HEIC files, resulting in an error message.
Let’s explore how to check the version of ImageMagick installed on your server.
How to Check Your ImageMagick Version
By using the Site Health feature in your WordPress dashboard, you can determine if your website has a version of ImageMagick that supports HEIC file conversion.
You can access this feature by going to Tools » Site Health. Once there, click on the ‘Info’ tab and then select ‘Media Handling’.
Now, scroll down to the ImageMagick section to view the installed version number and the file formats it supports.
Ensure you have the correct version of ImageMagick installed to see ‘HEIC’ as an available format.
If you are using an outdated version of ImageMagick or if it is not installed on your server, ‘HEIC’ will not appear as a supported file type.
The screenshot below shows that ImageMagick version 6.9.10-68 is currently installed on the server, which is an older version that does not support HEIC images.
For WordPress to convert HEIC files to JPG, your hosting provider must upgrade ImageMagick to a newer version. Alternatively, you can convert the images to JPG before uploading them to WordPress.
Let’s explore each of these options.
Tip:To understand the differences between Imagick and ImageMagick, refer to our guide on enabling Imagick on your WordPress site.
Requesting Your Hosting Provider to Install an Updated Version of ImageMagick
You can reach out to your hosting provider and request the installation and activation of ImageMagick version 7.0.8-26 or newer.
You may find our guide on effectively requesting WordPress support helpful.
If your provider cannot update ImageMagick, consider migrating your WordPress site to Hostinger or another hosting service that supports a newer version of ImageMagick.
You can easily convert your HEIC files to JPG format before uploading them.
How to Convert HEIC Files to JPG Before Uploading
If upgrading to a newer version of ImageMagick on your web host isn’t an option, you can convert your HEIC images to JPG format prior to uploading.
For Mac users, converting images is usually simple. For instance, dragging a photo from the Photos app to your desktop or sharing it via email will automatically convert it to the more widely compatible JPG format.
You can also utilize image conversion software. The Windows Photos app features a ‘Save a Copy’ option that can convert HEIC files, while the Mac Preview app can also handle HEIC to JPG conversions.
If you prefer using an online tool, you can utilize the heictojpg service to convert your HEIC images to JPG format. After conversion, just upload the JPG files to your WordPress site.
Common Questions About HEIC to JPG Conversion
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the management of HEIC image files in WordPress.
Why does WordPress automatically convert HEIC images to JPG format?
WordPress allows you to convert HEIC files to JPG format, ensuring that your images are compatible with all web browsers. Although HEIC is a more efficient format, its support across browsers is limited. Converting to JPG ensures that every visitor can view your images without issues.
Is HEIC superior to JPG?
HEIC files offer comparable image quality to JPGs but occupy significantly less storage space. This is advantageous for saving space on your device, but JPG remains the preferred format for the web due to its widespread compatibility.
Will I lose image quality when converting HEIC to JPG?
The process of converting from HEIC to JPG is designed to preserve the original quality of your images. Any minor loss in quality is typically imperceptible to the naked eye, especially for photos displayed on a website.
Can I upload HEIC files if I’m using an older version of WordPress?
Support for HEIC files was introduced in WordPress version 6.7. If you are using an earlier version, you will need to convert your images to JPG format before uploading them.
Comprehensive Guides for Image Management in WordPress
Now that you understand how to convert your HEIC images, you may want to explore additional guides on effectively managing images in WordPress:
- How to Optimize Images for Web Performance While Maintaining Quality
- How to Resize Images and Increase Their Dimensions Without Compromising Quality
- How to Resolve Common Image Problems in WordPress
- Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Image Gallery in WordPress
- Top WordPress Plugins for Photographers
- How to Implement WebP Images in WordPress
- WebP vs. PNG vs. JPEG: Choosing the Best Image Format for WordPress
We hope this guide has helped you learn how to convert HEIC files to JPG in WordPress. You may also be interested in our tutorial on creating a custom Instagram photo feed or our selection of the best WordPress image compression plugins.
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