If your iPad photos are saved as HEIC files, you might have noticed that some websites, PDF tools, or Windows PCs won't open them directly. The good news is you can turn those HEIC images into a PDF right on your iPad, without installing anything extra. This post walks you through the built-in method, and when you might want to use a free online converter instead.

Why Your IPad Saves Photos as HEIC

By default, iPads and iPhones save photos as HEIC. You can check or change this in Settings > Camera > Formats. If you choose 'High Efficiency,' photos are stored as HEIC. If you choose 'Most Compatible,' they are saved as JPG. HEIC files are smaller and look great, but not every tool or website recognizes them. Windows PCs, older PDF tools, and some email clients expect JPG or PNG.

If you only need a PDF for a document, a form, or a quick share, you don't have to convert the HEIC to JPG first. The Files app on your iPad can handle it.

Turning HEIC Photos Into a PDF in the Files App

The Files app can create a PDF from one or more images, including HEIC files. Here's how:

  1. Open the Files app on your iPad.
  2. Navigate to the folder where your HEIC photos are stored. If they are in your Photos library, you may need to select them and choose 'Save to Files' first.
  3. Tap Select in the top-right corner, then tap each HEIC photo you want to include.
  4. Tap the Share button (a square with an up arrow) at the bottom.
  5. In the share sheet, scroll down and choose 'Print.'
  6. On the Print preview screen, pinch outward with two fingers to zoom in. This changes the preview to show the images as pages of a PDF.
  7. Tap the Share button again, then choose 'Save to Files' or 'Save to Files' and pick a location.

That's it. You now have a single PDF containing all the selected HEIC photos.

Marking Up the PDF and Adding a Signature

Once your PDF is saved, you can use the Markup tool inside the Files app to annotate it. Open the PDF, tap the Markup icon (a pen tip inside a circle), and you can draw, add text, highlight, or add a signature. The signature tool lets you draw with your finger or Apple Pencil, and you can save it for reuse.

This is handy if you need to sign a document that you photographed with your iPad. You don't need a separate scanner app for that.

When Markup Works Best

Use Markup when you want to add a signature, fill in a form, or make quick notes. It works on the PDF you just created from your HEIC photos, so you can do the whole job in one place.

What If You Need JPG or PNG Instead of a PDF?

Sometimes you don't want a PDF at all. You might need a JPG or PNG for a website upload, a presentation, or an email attachment. In that case, you can use a free online converter. heic.now is a free online HEIC converter that needs no sign-up. It converts iPhone HEIC photos to JPG, PNG, PDF, WebP, AVIF, GIF and TIFF. It also converts JPG, PNG and WebP back to HEIC, and it can compress HEIC files. If you need to check the details of an image, it has an image info and EXIF viewer.

If you just need a PDF, the Files method above is fast and works offline. But if you need a different format, use a free HEIC converter like heic.now. It works in your browser, so you can use it on any device.

Which Method Should You Use?

  • Use the Files app method when you want a PDF from one or more HEIC photos, especially if you need to add a signature or markup afterward.
  • Use a converter when you need JPG, PNG, or another format, or when the Files app method doesn't give you the file you need.
  • Remember that the Files app method works offline and keeps your photos private, since nothing is uploaded anywhere.

For most PDF needs, the built-in method is enough. For everything else, a quick online conversion does the job.