Convert HEIC to JPG using Python: A Complete Guide

Introduction to HEIC and JPG Formats

The HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container) format became popular due to its superior compression efficiency and is widely used by Apple devices, especially in iOS. It allows users to store images with higher quality compared to traditional formats like JPG, while taking up less storage space. However, due to compatibility issues with various applications and devices, many users find themselves needing to convert HEIC files to JPG, a universally accepted image format.

JPG (or JPEG) is a lossy compression format common for digital photography and is supported across all platforms. It is well-known for its ease of use and compatibility with almost every device, making it the preferred format for many applications. This article will guide you through the process of converting HEIC files to JPG using Python, providing practical examples and step-by-step instructions.

By converting HEIC files to JPG, users can ensure that their images are accessible across different devices and platforms, making it an essential process for photographers and regular users alike. Now, let’s dive into how we can leverage Python’s capabilities to achieve conversions.

Getting Started with Required Libraries

Before diving into the actual code to convert HEIC to JPG, we’ll need to set up our development environment by installing the necessary Python libraries. The two primary libraries we will use are Pillow and pyheif. Pillow is the standard Python Imaging Library (PIL) that provides powerful tools for opening, manipulating, and saving image files. Pyheif is a dedicated library for reading HEIC files.

To install these libraries, you can use pip, the Python package installer. Open your command prompt or terminal and run the following commands:

pip install Pillow
pip install pyheif

Once installed, you can verify the installation by importing these libraries into your Python script. Make sure to set up your IDE, such as PyCharm or VS Code, where you will write your code. Now you are ready to start coding!

Basic HEIC to JPG Conversion Code

The following Python script demonstrates how to convert a single HEIC file into JPG format. This example assumes you have a basic understanding of Python and file management. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

from PIL import Image

import pyheif

def convert_heic_to_jpg(heic_file_path, jpg_file_path):

    # Step 1: Load HEIC file using pyheif

    heif_file = pyheif.read(heic_file_path)
    # Step 2: Convert HEIC to a Pillow Image

    image = Image.frombytes(heif_file.mode, heif_file.size, heif_file.data,