Depending on its intended use, a photograph is often best saved and exported as a specific file blazon. However, photos stored on your Mac may exist in a file format that's different from your desired file format and incompatible with tertiary-party apps.

Learn how to use your Mac to export photos every bit a different image file format that suits your needs.

Near Prototype File Formats

File formats differ in image quality, size, compression options, and the software needed to open and dispense the file.

Earlier yous start converting images, it's wise to learn what file type the electric current epitome is. Mostly, file extensions are already indicated in the file proper name. If non, simply Command-click the image, then select Get Info. Nether Full general, the file type is indicated beside Kind.

Kind of Photo and Other Photo Details on Info

Notation: iPhone and Mac screenshots are saved equally PNG files by default, while images taken from your iPhone's camera—from iOS xi and later—are saved every bit a loftier-efficiency file format (HEIC).

How to Change a Photo'due south File Format on a Mac

You can change a file'southward format type and modify how yous wish the files to look upon beingness exported from your Mac by following these steps:

  1. Open Photos.
  2. Select the file you want to export.
  3. Click File > Consign > Export [number] Photograph/s.
  4. Click the dropdown menu beside Photo Kind to select from TIFF, JPEG, or PNG. Expand the Export options by clicking the down pointer beside the Photo Kind menu. Note that options vary based on the file format chosen.
  5. Select how you desire to name the exported files by clicking File Name.
  6. Click Subfolder Format if you desire to categorize your exported files into subfolders.
  7. Click Export.
WIndow to Change an Image's Format Before Exporting on Photos

You can also export videos using the same process. Instead of choosing the file format, you tin can cull from 480p, 780p, or 1080p resolution. Choose 480p for a standard definition TV or the other two high-definition formats for videos that you'll display on a high-definition display or Television set.

How to Export Your Photos in Their Original Format

If the file format isn't an event, you can consign images from Photos in their original format. To practise this:

  1. Open Photos, and then cull the images y'all desire to export.
  2. Click File > Export > Export Unmodified Original for [number] Photograph.
  3. Tick the box abreast Export IPTC as XMP if y'all want to export IPTC metadata and keywords as an XMP file along with the photos.
  4. Click Export.
Export-Photos-in-Their-Original-Format-on-Mac-Photos-1

Another easy style to share photos would exist through iCloud. Only consign your files to iCloud and admission them on any device.

Modify Earlier You Export

With your Mac, modifying the file format of your videos and photos is very like shooting fish in a barrel. Changing file formats can be helpful when you lot need to open your files on a different device, process them using a specific tool, or if you need to display or print them.