HEIC to WebP in WordPress, Why & How

iPhone stores raw images in HEIC format. Software patents prevent web browsers from displaying these images. HEIC Support is a WordPress plugin that converts HEIC to WebP, AVIF, or JPG during uploads.

Why Convert to WebP

Choose WebP when you want a strong default: smaller than JPG, widely supported for years, and familiar to most WordPress hosts and optimization plugins. For many sites, WebP is the practical middle ground, good compression without betting on the newest format.

When Not to use WebP

Skip WebP if you want the absolute smallest files and your visitors are already on current browsers. Choose AVIF instead. Prefer JPG when editors, email clients, print workflows, or third-party tools still choke on anything newer than JPEG. WebP is rarely the wrong choice for a modern site, but it is no longer the most efficient format, and it is not the most compatible one either.

How to Convert HEIC to WebP

Install and activate HEIC Support, open Settings → Media → HEIC Support, choose .webp save, then upload a .heic. The plugin creates a .webp copy or replaces the original if that option is enabled. Some web hosts do not support the conversions, and HEIC Support offers a cloud conversion service for users in that situation.

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