Convert HEIC to PNG for Photoshop, Illustrator & Design Software

Clients send their brand photos and logos in whatever format their iPhone produces — which is HEIC. Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, Figma, and most design software cannot open HEIC natively. The fix is a quick conversion to PNG before you open the file. WildandFree's HEIC to PNG converter does it in your browser with no upload and no quality loss — ready to drop into any design workflow.

Can Photoshop Open HEIC Files Directly?

Photoshop added limited HEIC support in version 22.4 (2021), but with significant caveats:

• Photoshop on macOS can open HEIC if the Apple HEIF codecs are installed (they are, on any Mac running macOS High Sierra or later).
• Photoshop on Windows cannot open HEIC without the Microsoft HEIF Image Extensions codec installed from the Microsoft Store.
• Older versions of Photoshop (before 22.4) cannot open HEIC on any platform.
• Photoshop Elements, Photoshop Express, and Lightroom Classic have varying HEIC support depending on version and OS.

Illustrator has no HEIC support as of 2026. InDesign has no HEIC support. Canva's desktop app cannot import HEIC. Figma does not accept HEIC file uploads.

The universal fix: convert to PNG first. PNG works in every version of every design tool, on every operating system, with no codec dependencies.

Why Use PNG (Not JPG) When Converting HEIC for Design Software

When your client sends you a photo to use in a design, you want lossless quality. Here's why PNG is the right choice over JPG for design workflows:

• No generation loss. Every time you save a JPG, it recompresses and loses quality. PNG is lossless — save it 100 times and it stays identical to the original pixel data. This matters when you're cropping, resizing, adjusting, and re-exporting a client's photo multiple times.
• Transparency support. PNG handles alpha channels. If you're removing a background or compositing onto another layer, PNG preserves the transparency data. JPG does not support transparency.
• Accurate color reproduction. PNG stores exact pixel values — what you see is what's in the file. JPG color shifts subtly under repeated edits. For brand work where color accuracy matters, PNG is more reliable.
• Better for masks and selections. Photoshop's edge detection and masking tools work more accurately on lossless PNG source files than on compressed JPGs.

File size is larger than JPG, but that's a worthwhile trade for working files. Export to JPG or WebP only for the final deliverable — keep PNG for your layered source.

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Workflow: Convert a Client's HEIC Photos to PNG for Photoshop

Here is the clean workflow for handling HEIC files from clients:

1. Receive HEIC files. Client emails or shares via WeTransfer, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Download the .heic files to a project folder.
2. Open the converter. Go to wildandfreetools.com/converter-tools/heic-to-png/ in your browser.
3. Drop all HEIC files at once. The converter handles batches — convert the full set in one session.
4. Download PNGs to your project folder. Replace or supplement the original HEIC files. Keep originals if the client may need them back.
5. Open in Photoshop or your design software. PNGs open natively in every version with no codec issues.

The whole process takes about 2 minutes for a typical client photo batch. Files are processed locally — client photos never touch a third-party server, which matters when you're working with confidential brand assets or pre-launch product photography.

HEIC to PNG for Figma, Canva, Affinity Photo, and Other Design Tools

The same pre-conversion workflow applies across all design tools:

• Figma: No HEIC support. PNG and JPG import cleanly. For UI mockups with real photos, PNG is preferred to avoid JPG artifacts on rounded corners or overlays.
• Canva desktop / web: HEIC not accepted. PNG and JPG both work. PNG is better for graphics with sharp edges or text; JPG for photographic backgrounds.
• Affinity Photo / Affinity Designer: Affinity Photo can open HEIC on macOS (via Apple codecs). On Windows, no. Convert first for cross-platform consistency.
• GIMP: Requires a HEIF plugin. Converting to PNG first is simpler and avoids plugin management.
• Sketch: macOS-only, and can open HEIC via macOS system codecs. Still, PNG is safer for file sharing across teams on mixed OS.

Related: HEIC to PNG with Transparency — Alpha Channel Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Photoshop open HEIC files?

Photoshop on macOS can open HEIC with the Apple codec (included by default). On Windows, it requires the Microsoft HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Older Photoshop versions (before 22.4) cannot open HEIC on any platform. Converting to PNG first is the universal workaround.

Should I convert HEIC to PNG or JPG for Photoshop?

PNG for working files. PNG is lossless — no quality loss when you re-save, and it supports transparency for masking and compositing. Only convert to JPG for your final export deliverable.

Does converting HEIC to PNG for Photoshop lose quality?

No. PNG is a lossless format. Every pixel from the original HEIC photo is preserved exactly. The PNG will be larger in file size but contains no additional compression or quality loss.

Can Figma or Canva open HEIC files?

No. Neither Figma nor Canva accepts HEIC uploads as of 2026. Convert to PNG or JPG before uploading. PNG is recommended for graphics, logos, and compositing; JPG for photographic backgrounds.