How to Insert HEIC Photos From iPhone Into PowerPoint

HEIC is the default photo format on iPhones running iOS 11 and later. This format saves storage space but is not natively supported by older versions of PowerPoint or by PowerPoint on Windows operating systems before specific updates. You may see a blank image placeholder or an error message when you try to insert a HEIC photo directly. This article explains how to insert HEIC photos from an iPhone into PowerPoint on both Windows and Mac. It covers built-in conversion methods, third-party tools, and the settings you need to check on your iPhone to avoid format problems.

Why PowerPoint Cannot Always Open HEIC Photos Directly

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. Apple chose this format because it compresses images to about half the file size of JPEG while maintaining similar visual quality. The problem is that HEIC is a proprietary container format that uses HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) compression. Microsoft PowerPoint, especially versions before PowerPoint 2019, did not include native decoders for HEIC. Even newer versions of PowerPoint on Windows require a separate codec package to read HEIC files. On Mac, PowerPoint can open HEIC files more reliably because macOS has built-in HEIC support. If you transfer photos from an iPhone to a Windows computer and try to insert them into PowerPoint without the correct codec, you will see a red X placeholder or a message that the picture cannot be displayed.

HEIC vs JPEG: Key Format Differences

JPEG has been the standard image format for decades and is supported by every version of PowerPoint on every platform. HEIC is newer and offers better compression but lacks universal support. PowerPoint on Windows 10 version 1809 and later, as well as Windows 11, can display HEIC images if the HEIF Image Extension is installed. PowerPoint for Mac has supported HEIC since Office 2016 for Mac version 16.10. If you share a PowerPoint file containing HEIC photos with a colleague who uses an older version of PowerPoint or a different operating system, the images may not render correctly.

Steps to Insert HEIC Photos Into PowerPoint on Windows

1. Install the HEIF Image Extension from the Microsoft Store
   Open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows 10 or 11 computer. Search for “HEIF Image Extension” and select the free extension published by Microsoft. Click Install. This extension adds HEIC decoding support to Windows, which PowerPoint uses to read the images.
2. Restart PowerPoint
   Close and reopen PowerPoint so the software detects the newly installed codec. If PowerPoint was already open, the extension may not be recognized until you restart the application.
3. Transfer the HEIC photo from your iPhone to the Windows computer
   Connect your iPhone to the Windows computer using a USB cable. Unlock your iPhone and tap Trust if prompted. On the Windows computer, open File Explorer and locate your iPhone under This PC. Navigate to Internal Storage > DCIM > 100APPLE or a similar folder. Copy the HEIC files to a folder on your computer.
4. Insert the HEIC photo into PowerPoint
   In PowerPoint, go to the slide where you want the photo. Click Insert > Pictures > This Device. Navigate to the folder containing the HEIC file, select it, and click Insert. If the codec is installed, the photo displays normally.

Alternative Method: Convert HEIC to JPG Before Inserting

1. Use the built-in Windows Photos app to convert
   Open the HEIC file in the Windows Photos app. Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select Save as. In the Save as type dropdown, choose JPEG. Select a destination and click Save. The new JPEG file can now be inserted into PowerPoint.
2. Use an online converter
   Go to a reputable online HEIC-to-JPEG converter such as CloudConvert or heictojpg.com. Upload your HEIC file, select JPEG as the output format, and download the converted file. Insert the JPEG into PowerPoint.

Steps to Insert HEIC Photos Into PowerPoint on Mac

1. Transfer the HEIC photo from your iPhone to the Mac
   Use AirDrop, iCloud Photos, or a USB cable to copy the HEIC file to your Mac. AirDrop is the fastest method: on your iPhone, open the Photos app, select the HEIC photo, tap the Share button, and choose your Mac from the AirDrop list.
2. Insert the HEIC photo directly into PowerPoint
   Open PowerPoint on your Mac. Go to the slide where you want the photo. Click Insert > Pictures > Picture from File. Select the HEIC file and click Insert. PowerPoint for Mac supports HEIC natively, so no additional codecs are needed.
3. Convert HEIC to JPEG using the Photos app if needed
   If you plan to share the PowerPoint file with someone on Windows who does not have the HEIF extension, convert the photos first. In the Photos app on Mac, select the HEIC photo. Click File > Export > Export Photos. In the Photo Kind dropdown, choose JPEG. Set the quality and click Export.

Change iPhone Camera Settings to Avoid HEIC Entirely

If you frequently insert iPhone photos into PowerPoint and prefer not to deal with conversion or codecs, change your iPhone camera format to Most Compatible. This setting makes the iPhone save photos as JPEG instead of HEIC. Go to Settings > Camera > Formats on your iPhone. Under Camera Capture, select Most Compatible. Photos taken after this change will be saved as JPEG. Existing HEIC photos in your library remain unchanged. You can also keep High Efficiency for storage and use the automatic conversion feature in iCloud or AirDrop, which converts HEIC to JPEG when transferring to a computer that does not support HEIC.

Common Issues When Inserting HEIC Photos Into PowerPoint

PowerPoint Shows a Red X or Blank Placeholder After Inserting HEIC

This happens when the HEIF Image Extension is not installed or the codec is not working correctly. On Windows, open the Microsoft Store and check that the HEIF Image Extension is installed. If it is already installed, try repairing it: go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find HEIF Image Extension, click Advanced options, and click Repair. Restart PowerPoint after the repair.

HEIC Photo Looks Pixelated or Has Wrong Colors in PowerPoint

This can occur if PowerPoint is using a low-resolution thumbnail instead of the full image. Right-click the inserted photo in PowerPoint and select Format Picture. Under Picture Corrections, ensure the resolution is set to High Fidelity. If the issue persists, convert the HEIC to JPEG and reinsert the JPEG version.

Cannot Insert HEIC Photos From iCloud Downloaded to Windows

iCloud for Windows downloads HEIC files in their original format. If you cannot insert them, install the HEIF Image Extension as described above. Alternatively, use iCloud for Windows settings to download photos as JPEG: open iCloud for Windows, click Photos, and check the box for Download photos as JPEG. This setting applies only to new downloads.

Item	Insert HEIC Directly	Convert HEIC to JPEG First
Windows support	Requires HEIF Image Extension from Microsoft Store	Works on all Windows versions
Mac support	Native, no additional software needed	Works, but adds extra steps
File size after insertion	Smaller (HEIC compression)	Larger (JPEG compression)
Compatibility when sharing file	Low — recipients need HEIC support	High — JPEG works on all platforms

You can now insert HEIC photos from your iPhone into PowerPoint using direct insertion on Mac or after installing the HEIF Image Extension on Windows. If you frequently share presentations with users on older systems, convert HEIC photos to JPEG before inserting them. For a permanent solution, set your iPhone camera to Most Compatible so all new photos are saved as JPEG. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V on Windows or Command+V on Mac also works to paste HEIC photos copied from the Photos app if the codec is installed.