Why does WordPress say “file type not permitted” for HEIC images?

By default, WordPress restricts HEIC and HEIF uploads because they are XML-based containers that can theoretically pose security risks if not handled correctly. Most web browsers also cannot natively render HEIC files, making them impractical for standard web use. HEIC Support safely authorizes these MIME types and immediately converts them into WebP format for broad compatibility across devices.

How do I convert HEIC to WebP in WordPress without a subscription?

Many image optimization plugins charge recurring fees or require paid aPI keys to process modern image formats. HEIC Support by thisismyurl provides a free alternative by using your server's ImageMagick engine. This allows bulk conversion of existing apple device photos and automatic optimization of new uploads without ongoing costs.

Is converting HEIC to WebP a “non-destructive” process?

Maintaining data integrity is essential. The plugin follows a safety-first workflow: instead of deleting original high-resolution HEIC files, it archives them in /uploads/heic-backups/. This lets you restore source assets later if needed.

Does HEIC conversion require specific server settings?

Yes. Because HEIC is a specialized format, the standard PHP GD library cannot process it. The plugin requires the ImageMagick (Imagick) extension with libheif support on the server. Most managed WordPress hosts provide this.

Can I bulk-convert my existing iPhone photos to WebP?

Yes. The built-in aJaX bulk processor scans your media library and converts files in small batches to avoid server timeouts. You can monitor progress and review storage savings as conversions complete.

Plugin

WordPress HEIC Plugin · Auto-Convert iPhone Photos on Upload

Free WordPress HEIC plugin that converts iPhone .heic photo uploads to WordPress-compatible JPEG automatically. No external API, GPL-licensed.

↓ Download File

Price: FREE

Version: 1.0.0

Featured image for WordPress HEIC Plugin · Auto-Convert iPhone Photos on Upload

Your iPhone takes photos in HEIC. WordPress doesn’t display HEIC. Most browsers don’t either. Until last year I was telling clients to convert their photos before upload — which is the kind of advice editors politely nod at and then ignore. So I built this. Drop a .heic file into the Media Library and the plugin produces a JPEG twin server-side, registers it as the canonical image, and keeps the original on disk in case you ever want it back.

What you get

Automatic JPEG generation for every .heic and .heif upload
The JPEG is the version WordPress hands to the front end — your existing themes and templates “just work”
Original HEIC kept on disk — non-destructive, fully reversible
Quality setting 88 (slightly higher than WebP defaults — HEIC source files reward less aggressive compression)
No external API, no cloud round-trip, no monthly bill

Who it’s for

WordPress site owners whose contributors are mostly on iPhones — agency editors, real-estate teams, hospitality operators, travel writers. The pattern is always the same: someone uploads a beautiful photo, the page renders an empty image box, and twenty minutes of debugging later you realize the file is HEIC. This plugin closes that loop so the upload “just works” the first time.

How to install and verify

Download the plugin .zip from the button below.
Upload via WordPress Admin → Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin → Install Now → Activate.
Activate. The MIME-type registration and conversion hook fire on activation. No settings page.
Verify it’s working. Take a photo on an iPhone (default settings produce HEIC), AirDrop or email it to yourself, and upload it via Media → Add New. The Library should show a JPEG thumbnail immediately and the file should be insertable into a post. Before this plugin: an upload error or an empty thumbnail. After: a working image.

Server requirement: the plugin uses Imagick with HEIC support compiled in. Most managed WordPress hosts ship this; some bare-metal VPS images don’t. If a test upload doesn’t produce a JPEG, run convert -list format | grep -i heic on your host to confirm support.

Why I keep the original on disk

HEIC stores 10-bit colour and the JPEG twin is 8-bit. If you’re an editorial site that ever wants to publish a higher-fidelity version (a print-quality download, an Instagram crosspost, a future format upgrade), the source matters. Deleting it on conversion is a one-way door. Keeping it costs ~50% more disk per photo, which is cheap insurance against the future you who needs it back.