You took 200 photos on your iPhone, and now somebody needs them as a PDF. Maybe it’s a landlord wanting property inspection pics, maybe you’re archiving receipts, or maybe you just want to email a photo set without sending 200 separate attachments. Whatever the reason, you’re stuck with .heic files that half the world can’t even open.
I’ve been dealing with HEIC files since Apple made them the default back in 2017, and I’ve tested pretty much every converter out there. Here’s what actually works in 2026 – no signup walls, no hidden fees, no “download our desktop app” nonsense.
If you work with PDFs regularly, check out our full roundup of the best free PDF editors – it covers editing, annotating, and everything else you might need after the conversion.
Quick Comparison: HEIC to PDF Converters
| Tool | Free Limit | Batch | Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDF24 Tools | Unlimited | Yes | Lossless | No restrictions at all |
| iLovePDF | 1 task/hour | Yes | High | Clean interface, fast |
| CloudConvert | 25/day | Yes | Configurable | Power users, API access |
| Smallpdf | 2 tasks/day | Yes | Good | All-in-one PDF toolkit |
| Preview (Mac) | Unlimited | Yes | Lossless | Mac users, offline |
| Adobe Acrobat Online | 1 task/day | No | High | Adobe ecosystem users |
| FreeConvert | 25/day | Yes | Good | Large files (up to 1GB) |
1. PDF24 Tools – Genuinely Free, No Catches
PDF24 is a German-made tool that’s completely free. Not freemium, not “free with watermark” – actually free. I’ve used it for years and still haven’t hit a single paywall.
To convert HEIC to PDF: go to pdf24.org, pick “Images to PDF” from the toolbox, drag your HEIC files in, arrange the order if needed, and hit “Create PDF.” Done. The whole thing takes under 30 seconds for a batch of 20 photos.
What I like
- No file count limits, no daily caps
- Files are deleted from their servers after 1 hour
- Also has a desktop app (Windows) that works offline
- Page size options: A4, Letter, or fit-to-image
What’s not great
- The website looks like it was designed in 2015
- No Mac desktop app, web only
Honestly, if you just need the conversion done with zero friction, start here. I’ve pushed 50+ HEIC files through it in one batch without issues.
2. iLovePDF – Best Interface
iLovePDF looks and feels more polished than PDF24. The conversion flow is smooth: upload HEIC files, choose orientation and margin settings, download your PDF.
The free tier gives you 1 task per hour. For most people converting a batch of vacation photos, that’s plenty. If you need more, the premium plan runs $4/month.
What I like
- Drag-and-drop reordering of pages before conversion
- Margin and orientation controls
- Google Drive and Dropbox integration
What’s not great
- 1 task per hour on the free plan
- Max 15MB per file on free tier
The one-task-per-hour limit sounds restrictive, but each task can include multiple files. Upload all your HEIC photos at once and it counts as a single task.
3. CloudConvert – For Power Users
CloudConvert is the tool I recommend when you care about output settings. You can control DPI, page size, compression level, and even specify whether to embed the image or render it as a vector-backed PDF.
Free plan: 25 conversions per day, max 100MB per file. That’s generous. The paid plans start at $8 for 500 conversion minutes if you need more.
What I like
- Granular output settings (DPI, quality, page size)
- API available for automation
- Supports 200+ file formats beyond just HEIC and PDF
- Files processed in the EU (Frankfurt data center)
What’s not great
- Interface is more technical than iLovePDF
- Batch conversion counts each file as one conversion
If you’re converting HEIC photos for print and need 300 DPI output, CloudConvert is the one to use. The default settings work fine for screen viewing, but bump the DPI to 300 for anything going to a printer.
4. Smallpdf – All-in-One Option
Smallpdf positions itself as a complete PDF toolkit, and the HEIC-to-PDF conversion is just one of 20+ tools on the platform. Upload through the “JPG to PDF” tool (it accepts HEIC despite the name), arrange pages, download.
Free users get 2 tasks per day. Pro costs $9/month. If you already use Smallpdf for other PDF work like compressing PDFs or merging documents, it makes sense to keep everything in one place.
What I like
- Clean, modern interface
- Edit the PDF right after conversion (add text, signatures)
- eSign integration
What’s not great
- Only 2 free tasks per day
- Compresses images by default (no lossless option on free tier)
5. Apple Preview – Mac Users, You Already Have This
If you’re on a Mac, you don’t need any website. Preview handles HEIC natively and can export to PDF in about four clicks.
Single file: Open the HEIC file in Preview. Go to File > Export as PDF. Pick a location. Save.
Multiple files into one PDF: Select all HEIC files in Finder. Right-click > Open With > Preview. They’ll appear in a sidebar. Select all thumbnails (Cmd+A). File > Print > PDF dropdown > Save as PDF.
No upload, no waiting, no file size limits, no internet required. The conversion preserves full image quality because everything stays local.
What I like
- Already installed, nothing to download
- Works offline
- No quality loss
- No file count or size limits
What’s not great
- Mac only
- No page layout options (images just go full-page)
- Can’t control DPI or compression
6. Adobe Acrobat Online – When You Need the Adobe Name
Sometimes you need to use Adobe because that’s what your organization trusts. The online version at adobe.com/acrobat/online lets you convert images to PDF for free, but the limits are tight: 1 free conversion, then you need a paid account.
Acrobat Pro costs $19.99/month. If you’re already paying for Creative Cloud, you have access to this. Otherwise, there are better free options on this list.
What I like
- Adobe’s rendering engine produces clean PDFs
- Integrates with Adobe Document Cloud
What’s not great
- 1 free conversion is basically a demo
- Pushes you hard toward a subscription
- Requires Adobe account even for the free task
Look, Adobe makes great PDF software. But for a simple HEIC-to-PDF conversion? You’re paying $240/year for something PDF24 does for free. Only use this if you’re already in the Adobe ecosystem. For alternatives that don’t cost a dime, see our guide on how to edit PDFs without Adobe.
7. FreeConvert – Best for Large Files
FreeConvert’s selling point is the 1GB max file size on free accounts. Most competitors cap at 15-100MB. If you’re dealing with RAW-sized HEIC files from a newer iPhone at full resolution, this matters.
25 free conversions per day, supports batch processing. The interface isn’t fancy but it works.
What I like
- 1GB file size limit on free tier
- 25 free daily conversions
- Advanced settings for page size and orientation
What’s not great
- Ads on the free version
- Conversion speed is slower than CloudConvert
How to Convert HEIC to PDF on iPhone (No App Needed)
This is the trick most guides don’t mention. You don’t need to install anything.
- Open the Photos app and select the image(s) you want
- Tap the Share button
- Select “Save to Files” and save to a folder
- Open the Files app, find the image
- Long-press > Quick Actions > Create PDF
For a single photo, this takes about 10 seconds. For multiple photos, select them all in Files first, then use the three-dot menu > Create PDF. iOS merges them into one document.
This method keeps the original quality and works completely offline. I use it for receipt scanning when I’m traveling and don’t want to rely on web tools.
How to Convert HEIC to PDF on Windows
Windows doesn’t read HEIC natively, so you have two options:
Option A (quick): Use any of the web tools above. PDF24 or CloudConvert are the fastest.
Option B (offline): Install the free HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. After that, Windows can open HEIC files. Then open the image, hit Ctrl+P, select “Microsoft Print to PDF” as the printer, and save.
Option B is more work upfront but means you’ll never need a web converter again. The HEIF extension also lets you view HEIC thumbnails in File Explorer, which is a nice bonus.
HEIC to PDF vs. HEIC to JPG: Which Should You Pick?
Depends on what you’re doing with the file.
Convert to PDF when:
- You need to combine multiple photos into one document
- The recipient needs a “formal” document (applications, reports, portfolios)
- You want to add annotations or text later
- You’re archiving photos with a specific page layout
Convert to JPG when:
- You need the image for web/social media
- The recipient just needs to view the photo
- You’re uploading to a platform that doesn’t accept PDF
If you need JPG instead, we have a separate guide: how to convert HEIC to JPG free.
Tips for Better HEIC-to-PDF Results
Batch processing order matters. Most tools arrange images in the PDF by upload order, not filename. If you want photos in chronological order, sort them by date before uploading. PDF24 and iLovePDF both let you drag to reorder after upload.
Check the output file size. A 20-photo HEIC batch can produce anything from a 5MB to a 50MB PDF depending on compression settings. CloudConvert gives you the most control here. For email-friendly size, aim for medium compression.
Page layout considerations. Portrait HEIC photos on a landscape PDF page (or vice versa) leave ugly white bars. Match your page orientation to the majority of your photos, or use a tool that auto-rotates pages to fit each image.
Metadata is preserved (usually). GPS coordinates, timestamps, and camera settings stored in HEIC EXIF data typically survive the conversion to PDF. If you’re sharing sensitive photos, strip metadata first using a tool like an image-to-PDF converter that offers metadata removal.
FAQ
What is HEIC and why can’t I open it on Windows?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple’s default photo format since iOS 11. It produces files about 50% smaller than JPG at the same quality. Windows doesn’t support it natively without installing the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Converting to PDF sidesteps compatibility issues entirely.
Is it free to convert HEIC to PDF?
Yes. PDF24 is completely free with no file limits. iLovePDF allows 1 free task per hour. CloudConvert gives you 25 free conversions per day. On Mac, Preview does it with zero cost or limits.
Can I combine multiple HEIC photos into one PDF?
Yes. PDF24, iLovePDF, Smallpdf, and CloudConvert all support batch upload and merging into a single PDF. On Mac, Preview can do this natively. On iPhone, the Files app lets you select multiple images and create one PDF from them.
Does converting HEIC to PDF reduce image quality?
It depends on the tool. PDF24 and CloudConvert preserve original quality by default. Smallpdf and iLovePDF apply some compression. For lossless conversion, use CloudConvert with quality set to maximum or use Preview on Mac.
What’s the fastest way to convert HEIC to PDF on iPhone?
Open the photo in the Files app, long-press, select Quick Actions > Create PDF. No app install needed. Works on iOS 15 and later. Takes about 10 seconds per file.