Can GIMP save directly to HEIC after editing?

Yes, GIMP can export to HEIC using File > Export As and choosing the .heic extension, provided your build includes libheif. However, the question is about exporting to JPG, so you would choose .jpg instead.

Why does GIMP say 'unsupported file format' when I try to open a HEIC?

This usually means your GIMP version is older than 2.10.2, or (on Linux) the libheif library is not installed. Update GIMP or install the missing library to open HEIC files.

Does the Export As dialog preserve the original photo’s EXIF data?

Yes, if you check the 'Save EXIF data' option in the JPEG export dialog, GIMP will copy EXIF metadata from the original HEIC file into the exported JPG.

Can I use GIMP on a Mac to open iPhone HEIC photos?

Yes, GIMP runs on macOS and the official installer includes HEIF support. Use File > Open (Ctrl+O) to open the HEIC file, edit, then export as JPG.

How to Open HEIC in GIMP and Export as JPG

Got iPhone HEIC photos you need to edit on a desktop without paying for software? GIMP opens those files and exports clean JPGs. The workflow for heic to jpg gimp is straightforward: GIMP added built-in HEIF/HEIC reading in version 2.10.2 through the libheif library. Import the image, make your edits, export as a standard JPEG. Here is exactly how to open HEIC in GIMP, the HEIF components required, the export steps, and what to do when the file refuses to open.

What You Need to Open HEIC in GIMP

GIMP reads and writes HEIF/HEIC images from version 2.10.2 onward. It relies on a library called libheif. On Windows and macOS, the standard installer from gimp.org bundles HEIC handling. Some Linux builds ship without libheif. Those builds will not open HEIC files. Check your version under the Help menu or the About splash screen. On Linux, if HEIC files fail to open, install the libheif package through your distribution's package manager, or compile GIMP with HEIF handling enabled.

How to Open HEIC in GIMP

Opening a HEIC file works like opening any other image:

Launch GIMP.
Go to File > Open (or press Ctrl+O).
In the file chooser, navigate to the folder holding your iPhone HEIC photo.
Select the HEIC file and click Open.

If your GIMP build includes libheif, the image loads into the workspace. Crop, adjust colors, apply filters, use the full toolset. When the file does not open, the fix is below.

When HEIC Won't Open

An error or a blank response means your copy of GIMP almost certainly lacks libheif. This hits some Linux distributions hardest. Verify your GIMP version and installed plugins. On Windows and macOS, the official installer from gimp.org includes HEIF handling by default. On Linux, install the package libheif or gimp-heif through your package manager. Another path: convert the HEIC to JPG first using a free online converter, then open the JPG in GIMP.

Editing Your Photo Before Export

Once the HEIC image is open, every editing tool is available. The ones you will reach for most often:

Crop: Select the Crop tool from the toolbox (or press Shift+C), drag a rectangle over the area to keep, and press Enter.
Brightness and contrast: Go to Colors > Brightness-Contrast and move the sliders.
Resize: Use Image > Scale Image and enter new dimensions.

GIMP is a free, open-source editor on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Apply as many edits as you like. No watermarks. No trial limits.

How to Export as JPG Using GIMP's Export Dialog

After editing, export the image as a JPG. Do not use File > Save. That command writes only the XCF project format, GIMP's native file type, which almost nothing else opens. Use the export function instead:

Go to File > Export As (or press Shift+Ctrl+E).
In the dialog, type a file name ending with .jpg, for example myphoto.jpg.
Click Export.

A second dialog opens: the JPEG export dialog. Adjust these settings:

Quality: A slider from 0 to 100. Higher values mean larger files with less compression. Set it to a high value for most photos.
Save EXIF data: Check this to preserve metadata like camera settings and date taken. iPhone HEIC files carry this data.
Save color profile: Check this to embed the image's color profile. It keeps colours accurate on other devices.

Click Export again. Your edited photo is now a JPG.

Why Export As, Not Save

GIMP's File > Save command writes only XCF. Even on a HEIC file, Save produces an XCF. The Export As dialog is how you produce standard image formats: JPG, PNG, TIFF.

GIMP HEIF Handling What it Can and Cannot Do

GIMP's HEIF handling, powered by libheif, opens standard HEIC files from iPhones. It reads the image data and embedded EXIF metadata. It does not edit HEIC files in place. You must export to another format. Some iPhone HEIC files using advanced features, depth maps or multiple images, may not open. Converting the file to JPG first with a dedicated converter is a reliable workaround.

Alternative Convert HEIC to JPG First

When GIMP cannot open your HEIC file, or you prefer to skip installing extra libraries, convert the HEIC to JPG before editing. A free online converter handles this fast. No watermark. No software install. After conversion, open the resulting JPG in GIMP with File > Open and edit. This also works if you are on an older GIMP version that lacks HEIF handling.