Convert image file on Mac: Possibilities with macOS tools

If you want to convert an image file or a photo from one format to another on the Mac, you don't necessarily need an additional one App. There are already some useful tools in the macOS operating system to help you change the file format of an image. JPEG, PNG, HEIF, HEIC, JPEG-2000, OpenEXR, PDF and TIFF are supported. You can also use the two methods presented below to specify whether the file should be compressed and whether the metadata of the image should be adopted.

Convert an image on Mac using Quick Actions

The first way to convert image file formats on the Apple Mac, which I will show you in this guide, is via the image files context menu. You call this up by clicking on the image or photo with the right mouse button (or with a secondary click or with control + left click). This opens a context menu in which you select the point Quick actions finds. If you hover the mouse pointer over it, a submenu will be expanded in which you can now select the option convert image can choose.

The "Convert Image" option is performed via a small window that opens when you click on the option shown above. In the window you can now select the format in which the image should be converted. Alternatively, you can leave the image format the same as the original format, but select a new image size and metadata removal. These options are available to you when converting image files on the Mac using the macOS tool shown:

• Format: Selection of the target format for the selected image file, i.e. JPEG, PNG or HEIF
• Image Size: Keep the original size or resize to Large, Medium, or Small
• Keep metadata: Here you can give a "Yes" or "No" by setting or removing the check mark

After selecting the appropriate options, click on the blue button to complete the image formatting In "selected format“ convert stands. The new file is then saved with the same name in the same folder as the original file. In addition to example.jpg you will then find e.g. B. example.png in the same folder. If you're looking for other image formats to format your images or photos into using macOS tools, then you might Preview be the right path for you.

Convert image formats on Mac via macOS preview

The Convert Pictures Quick Action is the quickest and easiest way to do this task on Mac. But as already shown, only a few file formats can be selected. If you want to create a PDF, the corresponding quick option is still available, but that's pretty much the end of the express options. To get even more options implemented by Apple directly in the macOS system, simply open the file in question in Preview. This works for images by double-clicking them by default.

If you have opened your image (in my case the example.jpg file) in the preview, then click on in the menu bar filing. Then click on in the drop-down menu of this menu item Export…, so that a corresponding output window opens. In this you can now optionally assign a new name and tags, choose a storage location, adjust the format, determine the quality and thus the compression and save the newly created image file with the "Save" button. JPEG, PNG, HEIC, JPEG-2000, OpenEXR, PDF and TIFF are available as formats.

Further instructions for image processing on the Apple Mac

In the following list you will find further guides, instructions, tips and tricks for dealing with image files, photos and graphics on the Apple Mac. These include not only tools from the Apple operating system, but also third-party apps that help to complete more specific tasks:

• Release image content from macOS Ventura: Here's how!
• Open and convert WebP files on Mac
• Simple (!!!) white balance in Photoshop for dummies
• Fix blue snow photos in the Photos app on the Mac
• Copy icons from apps and files and use them in your own graphics: here and here

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.