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Convert JPG to PNG on Mac: 3 Methods

Convert JPG to PNG on Mac with GetCompress, Preview, or sips. JPEG artifacts do not disappear after conversion.

By Petr Samokhin

Your editor asks for PNG. The client sent JPEG exports. You need a lossless container for masking or a tool that rejects JPEG. Converting wraps the same pixels in PNG. It does not undo compression blocks from a weak source. Ask for a better master when quality matters; convert anyway when the pipeline requires PNG entry.

Method 1: GetCompress

Best for: One file or client folders that need JPG to PNG with an optional max width.

GetCompress image settings set to convert JPEG sources to PNG
  1. Open GetCompress and drop JPEG files or a folder into the queue.
  2. Set output to PNG and optional max width (for example 2048 px for web proofs, higher for retouch).
  3. Export copies to a dedicated folder so client originals stay untouched.

Save presets for retouch versus web proof so one folder does not produce mixed dimensions. Processing stays on your Mac.

Method 2: Preview

Best for: One file or a small set.

  1. Open the JPEG in Preview.
  2. File → Export…
  3. Format: PNG, save.

Export to png-out/ so you do not overwrite client JPEGs.

Limitation: Tedious past about ten assets.

Method 3: sips in Terminal

Best for: Simple batch convert when you already use Terminal.

mkdir png-out
for f in *.jpg *.jpeg; do
 [ -f "$f" ] || continue
 sips -s format png "$f" --out "png-out/${f%.*}.png"
done

Optional resize while converting:

sips -Z 2048 -s format png photo.jpg --out photo-2048.png

Optional lossless byte trim after convert (Homebrew oxipng):

oxipng -o 4 --strip safe png-out/*.png

oxipng does not fix blocky JPEG artifacts. It only packs the PNG more tightly.

Limitation: You maintain the loops. No visual preview before a large batch.

Which method should you use

SituationStart here
Bulk convert, width cap, local previewGetCompress
One filePreview
Scripted batchsips

If you need smaller uploads instead of PNG, stay on JPEG: compress images on Mac . To deliver JPEG again after editing, see PNG to JPG on Mac .

What this conversion does

JPEGPNG
CompressionLossyLossless
TransparencyNoYes, but not created from flat JPEG
Typical sizeSmallerLarger
Best sourceCamera, web exportScreenshots, UI, masks

PNG from a phone JPEG can exceed 20 MB. Resize when the next hop is email, not print retouch. Print shops that ask for PNG at 300 DPI still start from the same decoded pixels; confirm whether they need true resolution or only a lossless container.

When JPEG is the better stay

Stay on JPEG for email, CMS uploads, and client proofs when the workflow does not require PNG.

GetCompress fits when editors need a lossless batch every week and you want consistent width without repeating Export dialogs. Convert only the JPEG set; leave native PNG untouched. It does not restore detail that was never in the JPEG.

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