OpenShelfConvert HEIC to JPG on Mac
OpenShelf is the free, MIT-licensed, offline menu-bar file converter for Mac by Manan Santoki. To turn a HEIC photo into JPG, drag the file from Finder, tap ⇧ Shift for the Convert wheel, and drop on JPG. The JPG is saved next to the original on your Mac — nothing is uploaded.
HEIC → JPG in one drag
- Install OpenShelf from the latest DMG (macOS 14 or later).
- Drag a
.heicphoto from Finder. - Tap ⇧ Shift while dragging — the Convert wheel opens under the pointer.
- Drop on JPG. OpenShelf writes
Photo.jpgbesidePhoto.heic.
OpenShelf also converts HEIC to PNG, PDF, WEBP, and other image formats listed in the app README. See the home page demo for the wheel.
Built-in macOS options
Apple’s tools work for one-off exports; OpenShelf is faster when you convert often or batch many files mid-drag.
- Preview: open the HEIC, then choose File → Export and pick a format such as JPEG (Apple Preview User Guide).
- Photos: export originals or edited copies from the Photos app (Apple Photos User Guide).
- Terminal: the built-in
sipstool can convert image formats; seesips(example:sips -s format jpeg photo.heic --out photo.jpg). - Finder Quick Actions: select HEIC files, right-click → Quick Actions → Convert Image (HEIC to JPEG or PNG). You can also run Shortcuts or Automator workflows you build (Apple Support).
HEIC and OpenShelf
Does OpenShelf upload my photos?
No. Conversions run locally. The app does not collect telemetry; the only optional network use is checking GitHub for updates or downloading optional helper tools if you click Install in Settings.
Can I convert several HEIC files at once?
Yes. Select multiple HEIC files in Finder and drag them together, or drag one after another onto JPG on the Convert wheel. Each JPG is saved next to its source file.
What about HEIC to PNG or PDF?
Use the same Convert wheel and choose PNG or PDF instead of JPG. OpenShelf supports the image formats documented in its README, including HEIC, AVIF, and WEBP when optional ffmpeg is installed for WEBP.