When PNG is the right choice
Use PNG when preserving pixel data matters more than file size: interface references, annotated screenshots, documents, design assets, and workflows that repeatedly edit or export the image.
The tradeoff: larger files
A photo converted to PNG can be much larger than its HEIC source or a JPEG copy. If the file is destined for email, a blog, or casual sharing, JPEG may be the more practical output.
How to automate HEIC to PNG
- Open AfterAir and select the folder that receives your photos.
- Set the output format to PNG.
- AirDrop or copy a HEIC photo into that folder.
- Click the completion notification to reveal the PNG.
All conversion stays local. Your photo does not need to be uploaded to a web converter.
Can Preview do this?
Yes. Preview can export an opened image to another format. That is useful for occasional files; AfterAir is designed for the repeated arrival workflow where the same manual menu sequence becomes friction.
Build the complete AirDrop workflow
Read how AfterAir handles the full AirDrop HEIC conversion flow, including notifications and watched folders.