Converting HEIC to JPG on Artix Linux: Installing libheif⌗

Are you an Artix Linux user looking for an easy way to convert HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Format) files, commonly produced by Apple devices like iPhones, to a more universally compatible format like JPG? You’re in luck! In this blog article, we’ll guide you through the process of installing libheif on your Artix Linux system and show you how to use the heif-convert tool to efficiently convert HEIC files to JPG.

Why Convert HEIC to JPG?⌗

HEIC is a fantastic image format that provides high-quality images with efficient compression. However, it is not as universally supported as JPG. When you need to share your photos with others or use them on non-Apple devices, converting them to JPG is often the best solution.

Installing libheif on Artix Linux⌗

Artix Linux is a rolling release distribution that primarily uses the Arch Linux package management system. We’ll be using the libheif package from the Arch User Repository (AUR) to install libheif. If you haven’t already set up AUR support, please follow the instructions provided in the Artix Linux documentation.

Now, let’s start by installing libheif using an AUR helper like yay. Open your terminal and enter the following command:

yay -S libheif

This command will download the libheif package, resolve its dependencies, and compile it. Once the installation is complete, you’ll have the libheif library and its accompanying tool heif-convert available on your system.

Converting HEIC to JPG with heif-convert⌗

Now that libheif is installed, you can easily convert your HEIC files to JPG using the heif-convert tool. The command is straightforward:

for i in *.HEIC; do heif-convert "$i" "${i%.HEIC}.jpg"; done

Let’s break down this command:

• for i in *.HEIC; - This loop iterates over all files with the .HEIC extension in the current directory.
• do - Begins the loop.
• heif-convert "$i" - Invokes the heif-convert tool on the current HEIC file.
• "${i%.HEIC}.jpg" - This portion of the command renames the output file. It takes the original filename, removes the .HEIC extension, and appends .jpg to it.
• done - Ends the loop.

This command will convert all the HEIC files in the current directory to JPG. You can run it in the directory where your HEIC files are located, and it will process them all.

Conclusion⌗

By installing libheif on your Artix Linux system and using the heif-convert tool, you can easily convert HEIC files to the more widely supported JPG format. This is a handy solution for sharing your Apple device photos with friends and family who may not be part of the Apple ecosystem. Now you’re ready to liberate your HEIC photos and enjoy them on any device or platform you choose.