You take a photo on your iPhone — it saves as HEIC. You try to email it to a colleague on Windows and they can't open it. Convert to PDF and the problem disappears.
Why HEIC trips people up
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format since iOS 11. Smaller files than JPG at the same quality. Universal on Apple devices, patchy on Windows and Android, often unsupported by web platforms and older email clients.
Converting to PDF (or JPG) makes the image universally readable.
HEIC to PDF in one step
Drop the HEIC into Flint's Image to PDF. The HEIC converts to PDF directly. No intermediate JPG step needed.
For multiple HEICs into one PDF (e.g. a set of receipt photos), drop them all in. Each becomes a PDF page.
Alternatives on Apple devices
On iPhone: photo > Share > Print > pinch out on the preview to convert to PDF (yes, really — pinching is the secret iOS trick). On Mac: open in Preview > File > Export as PDF.
These native options work fine for single photos. For batches or for cross-platform consistency, the online converter is more predictable.
Set iPhone to JPG instead
If HEIC keeps causing friction, change iPhone settings: Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible. From now on, your iPhone saves photos as JPG. Bigger files, but no compatibility surprises.
Keep HEIC for personal storage (smaller, better quality) and switch to JPG only when sharing — or just use the PDF conversion path.
FAQ
Will multiple HEICs become one PDF?
Yes — drop them all into Image to PDF. Each becomes a separate page.
Quality vs JPG?
Identical — the conversion preserves the image's pixel data. HEIC compression vs JPG compression difference is irrelevant once both become a PDF.
Does it work on a Mac?
Yes, but Preview's built-in Export to PDF is also fine for single photos. The online converter shines for batches or non-Mac users.
What about HEIF (without C)?
HEIF is the broader format family; HEIC is HEIF for images. Both work with the converter.
iPhone photos, universal PDF. Convert your HEIC to PDF and share anywhere.