WordPress won't accept my HEIC upload
WordPress core does not support HEIC. The media library blocks .heic uploads by MIME type, and even when you add HEIC to allowed MIME types, the image processing pipeline (GD or ImageMagick) can't generate thumbnails. The result: broken images everywhere. Convert HEIC to JPG before uploading.
The fix
Convert your HEIC to JPG using the converter on this site. Drop the file, click Convert, upload the JPG to WordPress instead. Conversion runs in your browser — no upload, no signup.
Why this happens with WordPress specifically
- WordPress core ticket #42775 requesting HEIC support has been open since 2017 with no resolution
- Even with a plugin that converts HEIC server-side, the conversion happens on your host's CPU and often times out for large files
- Generating responsive image sizes (Imagify, ShortPixel, etc.) requires the source format to be JPG, PNG, or WebP
- SEO plugins like Yoast and Rank Math can't read EXIF from HEIC inputs
The long-term workaround
For sites that publish iPhone photos regularly, set up a Zapier or Make automation that converts HEIC to JPG before WordPress sees the file. Or use this site's batch converter before uploading. WebP is also a great option for site speed — see HEIC to WEBP.