In recent years, Apple has adopted a new format for recording photographs taken on the iPhone and iPod: HEIF, TU High efficiency image format. This format was not invented by Apple, but by a team of experts A group of moving film experts, The famous creators of the MPEG video format. Apple is the first brand to make this the default format, and it will not go unnoticed here and there.

To avoid these minor compatibility issues, we can force the iPhone to continue using the JPEG format by checking the “Most suitable” box in the camera’s “Formats” settings. It is a shame that a more modern and efficient format loses itself as fewer sites or fewer applications have yet to be compatible.

Therefore, for these recovery recipients, we suggest creating a function that allows you to convert one or more HEIF files to JPEG in a few simple steps, with a simple right click from the finder. For those who have not yet enjoyed this, it will be an opportunity to try out the popular automation software, a gold mine for repetitive tasks.

We are going to start with exactly the automata. This application is located … in the “Applications” folder, of course. Launch it and create a new document. Among the choices the app offers, there is a “quick action” type: this is what we are going to choose.

At the top of the window, specify “Process current item received: Image files: any application”. This will prevent your activity from trying to apply anything other than images. Then, select Photos in the list of programs in the library (left to right), drag the “Change Image Type” function from the second column to the right.

The automater will no doubt suggest that you automatically add a copy function to keep it original: it is up to you to decide what you choose! For my part, this function is only used to edit AirDrop recovered photos from iPhone, I know it is safe on real phone, so I did not add a copy function.

We now need to export this small process to get a functionality in Finder. This happens in the “File> Export” menu. Save it to your desktop with a simple name like “HEIF – JPEG”. You can skip the automator (no need to save if you do not want to change your program later).

All you have to do is double-click on the activity recorded on your Mac desktop. The system will offer to install it for you: Click “Install” and accept. If Apple does things right, your workflow file will disappear from the desktop at the same time.

Now, facing an HEIF file (or any other image that Mac can read), you can right-click on your “HEIF – JPEG” function to convert the file to a more suitable format. It is even possible to select multiple images at once.

We hope you find this tip helpful, and – why? – This will prompt you to learn more about all the automation functions that allow us to make the most of our tools: Automater on Mac, Shortcuts on iOS, For this, Nicholas Farno offers a costly grimmoir in our shop.