Images conversion
Convert HEIF to BMP
Updated Jul 2026
HEIF is the photo format Apple devices save images in, and BMP is an old, uncompressed Windows image format some software still expects. To convert HEIF to BMP, open the file in a converter and export it as BMP. Doing this on your own computer keeps the photo, and any location data it carries, off other people's servers.
- Extension
- .heif
- Type
- Images
- Typically
- Apple devices
- Compression
- Lossy
- Transparency
- None
- Metadata
- Carries EXIF
- Extension
- .bmp
- Type
- Images
- Typically
- Legacy Windows images
- Transparency
- None
Convert HEIF to BMP on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert HEIF to BMP
- Open Morphjet and drag in the HEIF photos you want to convert. Add one file or a whole folder at once.
- Choose BMP as the output format.
- Convert. The BMP files are written next to your originals, and nothing leaves your machine.
HEIF vs BMP: what actually changes
| HEIF | BMP | |
|---|---|---|
| Opens everywhere | No, needs a recent Apple device or the right software | Yes on Windows, and widely supported, though less common than JPG or PNG today |
| File size | Small, efficiently compressed | Very large, since pixels are stored with little to no compression |
| Quality | High, with some lossy compression | Lossless, an exact copy of the pixel data with no further compression loss |
| Metadata (EXIF) | Yes, keeps camera, date, and often GPS location | No, BMP doesn't carry EXIF metadata |
| Typical use today | Photos taken on Apple devices | Older Windows software, basic image editing, some legacy workflows |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert HEIF to BMP when you need to open an Apple photo in older Windows software, or an image tool that expects an uncompressed bitmap and doesn't recognize HEIF.
Keep the HEIF original if you're just archiving or sharing normally, since BMP files are far larger with no real quality gain over a good JPG or PNG.
Why not just use an online converter?
HEIF photos from an iPhone or iPad often carry EXIF metadata, including the exact time and GPS location where they were taken. An online converter receives that metadata along with the image the moment you upload it. Converting on your own computer with Morphjet means the photo, and everywhere it's been, never leaves your machine, and since BMP drops metadata anyway, it's gone from the output too.
Questions
Does converting HEIF to BMP lose quality?
No, the conversion itself is lossless, so you get an exact, uncompressed copy of the image. The photo was already compressed once when it was saved as HEIF, but converting to BMP doesn't lose any more detail beyond that.
Will the BMP file be much larger?
Yes, often many times larger. BMP stores pixel data with little to no compression, while HEIF is built to be small, so expect the file size to grow substantially after converting.
Does the BMP keep the photo's metadata?
No. BMP files don't have a place to store EXIF data, so the date, camera info, and GPS location in the HEIF are dropped during conversion. Keep the original HEIF if you need that information.
Why would I need BMP instead of a modern format?
Some older Windows programs, printing tools, or simple image processing scripts still expect BMP because it's an old and very simple format. If a newer format like PNG works for your case, it's usually the better choice.
Can I convert HEIF to BMP without uploading the photo anywhere?
Yes. Morphjet converts the file on your own computer, so it's never sent to a server. You can do it with your wifi off.
Morphjet converts HEIF, BMP, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.