Free online HEIF to BMP converter

Older Windows programs, publishing workflows, and imaging tools may accept BMP but not HEIF or HEIC files. Converting creates a broadly compatible raster copy, although the BMP is usually much larger than the source.

What the HEIF format is

HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) is an image container commonly stored as .heif or .heic. HEIC files usually use HEVC-based compression, which can produce smaller files than JPEG at comparable visual quality; HEIF can also use other codecs.

Apple uses HEIF/HEIC for photos when Settings → Camera → Formats → High Efficiency is enabled. The format also appears on some Android phones, macOS systems, and photo-management applications. A HEIF container can hold metadata, image sequences, depth data, or multiple images, although a typical camera file contains one photograph.

What the BMP format is

BMP (Windows Bitmap) stores raster pixels in a structure supported by Windows software and many older graphics, scanning, engineering, and embedded-system applications. Its straightforward pixel representation is useful when a receiving program cannot decode HEIF or requires BMP specifically.

BMP can be uncompressed or use limited compression such as RLE. A 24-bit BMP is a common full-color choice; 32-bit BMP can include an alpha channel, but some applications ignore BMP transparency. BMP files are normally much larger than HEIF files.

How to convert HEIF to BMP

Using 101convert online

1. Open the HEIF-to-BMP converter on 101convert.com.
2. Select or drag in the .heif or .heic file.
3. Choose BMP as the output format and start the conversion.
4. Download the resulting .bmp file and test it in the target program.

This option requires no installation. Do not upload confidential, personal, or regulated images to an online converter; process those files locally instead.

Using ImageMagick locally

Install an ImageMagick build with HEIF decoding supplied through libheif, then run:

magick input.heif output.bmp

Use the file's actual extension for HEIC input:

magick photo.heic photo.bmp

To request a widely supported 24-bit BMP, use:

magick input.heif -type TrueColor -define bmp:format=bmp3 output.bmp

To apply the source image's EXIF orientation during conversion, use:

magick input.heif -auto-orient output.bmp

A no decode delegate error means that the ImageMagick installation cannot decode HEIF. Install a build with HEIF support or use a desktop application that includes the required decoder.

Using desktop image software

In any installed application that can open HEIF, use File → Open, select the source, then use File → Export or File → Save As and choose BMP. Select 24-bit RGB for general compatibility unless the receiving program requires another bit depth or an alpha channel. Applications such as XnConvert can handle multiple files when their installation has HEIF support; check one test file before starting a batch conversion.

Quality and compatibility limits

Conversion does not restore detail lost by a lossy HEIF source. It changes the decoded image into BMP pixel storage and does not improve the original.

A BMP is often several times larger because it normally uses little or no compression. Keep the HEIF as the archival original and use BMP as a compatibility copy when the destination requires it.

Wide-gamut color, HDR data, metadata, depth information, animation, and transparency may not survive a basic BMP export. For maximum compatibility, use standard 8-bit-per-channel RGB and inspect the result for color shifts, missing transparency, and incorrect orientation.