Convert HEIC Images to JPG Format for Your WordPress Website

If you have HEIC images that you want to use on your WordPress website, you may have encountered an issue as this new image format is not widely supported. HEIC, also known as High-Efficiency Image Container, is preferred by smartphone cameras as it produces smaller file sizes without compromising quality. However, most web browsers and WordPress itself do not support this format. Fortunately, there is a solution available – using a HEIC to JPG conversion plugin for WordPress. In this article, we will guide you through the process of converting HEIC files to the more widely compatible JPG format so that you can effortlessly use your images on your website.

Step 1: Installing the HEIC to JPEG Plugin

To start the conversion process, you need to install and activate the free HEIC to JPEG plugin on your WordPress site. This plugin will automatically convert any HEIC images that you upload to the WordPress Media Library into the JPG format. Follow these simple steps to install the plugin:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the “Plugins” page.
2. Click on the “Add New” button.
3. In the search bar, type “HEIC to JPEG”.
4. Find the plugin in the search results and click on the “Install Now” button.
5. Once the installation is complete, click on the “Activate” button to activate the plugin.

By installing and activating the HEIC to JPEG plugin, any HEIC images you upload to your WordPress Media Library will be automatically converted to the JPG format, making them compatible with your WordPress website.

Step 2: Verifying Your ImageMagick Version

The HEIC to JPEG plugin relies on the ImageMagick PHP module to convert the image files. It is important to note that HEIC support was added in version 7.0.8-26 of the module. Some hosting providers may already have a recent version of ImageMagick installed, while others may not. To check the version of ImageMagick installed on your server, follow these steps:

1. Install the PHP Info plugin on your WordPress site. This plugin allows you to view the server’s PHP configuration.
2. Once installed and activated, navigate to the PHP Info page in your WordPress admin area.
3. Look for the “Imagick” section, where you will find the installed version of ImageMagick.

If you have an older version of ImageMagick or if the HEIC format is not included in the list of supported formats, the plugin may not be able to convert your HEIC files, and you will see an error message. In this case, you have two options: either ask your hosting provider to update ImageMagick or manually convert your HEIC files to JPG before uploading them to WordPress.

Step 3: Requesting an ImageMagick Update from Your Hosting Provider

If your hosting provider has not updated ImageMagick to a version that supports the HEIC format, you can contact them and request an update. Ask your provider to install and enable ImageMagick 7.0.8-26 or a later version. If they are unable or unwilling to update ImageMagick, you may consider switching to a hosting provider that supports a more recent version.

Step 4: Manual Conversion from HEIC to JPG

If updating ImageMagick is not possible, you can still convert your HEIC images to JPG format manually before uploading them to WordPress. Here are a few methods you can use:

• On macOS: If you use a Mac, macOS will automatically convert HEIC images to JPG whenever a more compatible format is required. For example, simply dragging an image from your Photos app to the desktop will convert it to JPG format.
• Using image conversion software: Both the Windows Photo app and the Mac Preview app have features that allow you to convert HEIC files to JPG.
• Online conversion tools: There are several online tools available that can convert HEIC images to JPG format. One example is the heictojpg tool, which allows you to convert your HEIC images to JPG and then easily upload them to your WordPress website.

By following one of these conversion methods, you will be able to convert your HEIC photos to JPG and use them seamlessly on your WordPress site.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have explained how to convert HEIC to JPG in WordPress using a plugin. By installing and activating the HEIC to JPEG plugin, you can automatically convert your HEIC images to the compatible JPG format in the WordPress Media Library. Additionally, we have provided alternative methods for converting HEIC files to JPG outside of WordPress if necessary. Now, you can easily use your HEIC photos on your WordPress website without any compatibility issues. For more useful guides on using images in WordPress, check out our other articles on WPBeginner.

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