HEICPix / HEIC for WhatsApp
Sending HEIC photos in WhatsApp
Your iPhone shoots HEIC. WhatsApp lets you send it. But Android friends often see "couldn't load image" or just a broken icon. Convert to JPG once and the photo previews for everyone.
Why this happens
WhatsApp's image pipeline differs by client:
- Sending from iPhone: WhatsApp converts HEIC to JPG before upload (in theory).
- Sending as "Document": WhatsApp preserves HEIC. Android recipients can't open it.
- Older WhatsApp on Android (pre-2020): Often shows broken thumbnails even for "photo" attachments.
- Forwarded media: Re-uploads may preserve the HEIC, breaking previews downstream.
Converting to JPG before sending eliminates every one of these edge cases — and the file is smaller too, saving cellular data.
The fix
Drop your HEIC into HEICPix, pick JPG, save the result, then attach it in WhatsApp. Works the same on iPhone Safari and Android Chrome.
Convert HEIC for WhatsApp →Bonus: install as a share-target
Install HEICPix as a Progressive Web App from your phone — then "HEICPix" appears in your Share sheet. Long-press a HEIC in any app, tap Share, pick HEICPix, and the file lands in the converter automatically. Tap "Share" on the result and pick WhatsApp.
Install guide →Long-term fix: turn off HEIC on iPhone
Settings → Camera → Formats → "Most Compatible". New photos save as JPG, eliminating this hassle forever. Existing photos still need conversion — use HEICPix.