How to Convert PNG to JPG on Mac: 4 Free Methods

1vs Team Updated 2026-08-21 image-converter

For one file, open the PNG in Preview and use File → Export As → JPEG with quality 85. For batches, build an Automator Quick Action that converts a whole folder with one click.

Step-by-step

Open the PNG in Preview and export as JPEG

Mac's built-in Preview app is the fastest single-file converter and most Mac users never realize it. Open the PNG in Preview (double-click in Finder), then choose File → Export As → JPEG. A quality slider appears with options from Low to Best — "Best" is roughly equivalent to quality 95 and is overkill for most uses. Drag the slider to about 80-85% for the standard trade-off between size and quality. Click Save and Preview writes a new JPG alongside the original PNG. Photopea is the closest browser-based equivalent if Preview is unavailable. The whole process takes about 10 seconds per image.

Build an Automator Quick Action for folder conversion

Open Automator (built into macOS), create a new Quick Action, and add the Render Images action with Format set to JPEG. Save the Quick Action — it now appears in Finder's right-click menu under Quick Actions. Right-click any folder of PNGs, choose the Quick Action, and Automator converts every PNG to JPG in place. This is the most powerful native Mac batch workflow and stays completely offline. Reusable forever, no uploads, no third-party tools.

Use a dedicated Mac app for quality control and previews

If you need a quality slider, side-by-side comparison, or batch settings beyond what Automator offers, install iMazing Converter or Photopea (browser-based, runs locally). iMazing gives you per-folder quality settings, EXIF preservation, and the ability to rename output files with a pattern. Both are free for basic use. For photographers who already use Capture One or Affinity Photo, the built-in Export dialog also handles PNG-to-JPG with full quality control.

Run a Terminal one-liner for scripted batches

Mac comes with the `sips` command built in — open Terminal and run `sips -s format jpeg -s formatOptions 85 *.png --out ~/Desktop/jpg-output/` to convert every PNG in a folder to JPG at quality 85. For more advanced options, install ImageMagick via Homebrew and run `magick mogrify -format jpg -quality 85 *.png`. Both methods are scriptable — chain them with a cron job or a folder action to fully automate recurring conversions.

Verify the JPGs and clean up

After conversion, open a few output files in Preview to confirm quality and verify the originals are untouched. Mac-native conversion typically shrinks PNG photos by 60-80% at quality 85. If you used Automator's Quick Action, the originals stay in place by default — check that the new files appear in the same folder or your chosen output location. Tools like iMazing Converter show file-count and size summaries for batch jobs to make verification easier. Delete the source PNGs only after spot-checking at least three JPGs at 100% zoom in Preview.

Recommended Tools

Automator

Built into macOS — Quick Actions convert folders of PNGs to JPG with one click.

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iMazing Converter

Free Mac app with quality slider, batch processing, and EXIF metadata preservation.

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Photopea

Browser-based editor that opens PNGs locally and exports JPGs at custom quality.

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ImageMagick

CLI tool for scripted batches — `magick mogrify -format jpg *.png` does entire folders.

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FAQ

How do I convert a PNG to JPG on Mac without installing anything?

Open the PNG in Preview (built into macOS), then File → Export As → JPEG. Adjust the quality slider to about 80-85% and click Save. The new JPG appears next to the original PNG. Preview handles single files instantly and supports any PNG resolution. For batches without installing anything, use the built-in Automator app to build a Quick Action.

Does Preview reduce quality when exporting as JPEG?

Yes — JPEG is lossy, so Preview's export always discards some pixel data. At the "Best" preset the loss is usually invisible, but the resulting file is much larger. The middle "Better" preset (roughly quality 85) is the best trade-off for most uses — visually identical at normal viewing distances, but 60-80% smaller than the source PNG.

Can I batch convert PNG to JPG on Mac with one click?

Yes. Use Automator (built into macOS) to create a Quick Action that converts PNG to JPEG, then right-click any folder in Finder and run the action. The Quick Action can be saved to the Finder toolbar for one-click access. It works offline, processes folders in seconds, and never uploads anything.

Will macOS keep the PNG file after I export as JPEG?

Yes. Preview's "Export As" creates a new file at your chosen location and leaves the original PNG untouched. Automator Quick Actions can be configured to save the JPGs in the same folder as the PNGs or in a separate output folder. The original PNG is never modified, so you can always re-export at a different quality later.

What is the best free Mac app to batch convert PNG to JPG?

Automator (built into macOS) is the best free option for most users — it handles folder batches without any installation. For more control over quality settings, EXIF preservation, and output patterns, iMazing Converter is the next step up. For terminal users, the built-in `sips` command and ImageMagick handle batches with a single line of code.

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