iPhone users have been using various file formats to store their photos and videos for years now. But as the iPhone has become more powerful, some users are starting to question the wisdom of continuing to use older file formats. One option is to use Apple’s own JPEG and MP4 files instead of using third-party software like HEIF, HEIC, or MPEG-4. This way, you can keep your photos and videos in a format that is more efficient and reliable. To start using JPEG and MP4 files on your iPhone, you first need to create a new folder called “Photos” in your Documents folder. Then, you need to create a new file called “PhotoLibrary.mov” in this folder. The PhotoLibrary.mov file contains all of the data for creating JPEG and MP4 files from photos and videos that you’ve taken on your iPhone. It includes information about the camera used for taking the photo or video, the resolution at which it was taken, and other important information. You can also use this file to store photos and videos that you’ve already created with third-party software like HEIF, HEIC, or MPEG-4. Just make sure that you include the PhotoLibrary.mov file in each of your uploads so that people can easily access them when they want to watch or share them online.
Encoding files in HEIF (using the .HEIC extension) and HEVC (using the .MOV extension) requires a bit more processing power, so this default setting is only on the iPhone 7 and newer and most modern iPads. Also, it’s worth noting that files in these newer formats are about half the size of JPG and MP4 files of similar quality.
While HEIF and HEVC are great in theory, they aren’t as widely supported as JPG and MP4 yet (which are essentially universal at this point). For example, you need to upgrade your Mac for it to be able to edit HEIF and HEVC files. And if you use Windows 11 or 10, they aren’t compatible out of the box yet.
If you’d rather capture your photos and videos in a more widely compatible format, you can do so with a simple settings toggle. Here’s how.
Start by opening the “Settings” app on your iPhone. Use Apple’s built-in Spotlight Search if you can’t find it on your home screen or App Library.
Next, scroll down and tap the “Camera” option.
Choose “Formats” from the top of the menu.
Finally, select “Most Compatible” to check the option
Now your iPhone will keep using more compatible formats, including JPEG and MP4. Just keep in mind that these files will take up more storage space, but are easier to open, view, and edit on all operating systems, including Windows 11 and 10.
RELATED: How to Convert HEIC Images to JPG on a Mac the Easy Way
