How to Change File Type on iPhone [iOS 16]

As iPhone users, we all sometimes need to change the file types of certain files on our devices. Whether it’s for compatibility reasons or personal preferences, understanding how to do this is incredibly useful. In this post, I will discuss various methods to change file type on iPhone.

Earlier accessing, downloading, and storing supported files on iPhone was a big problem, but these things have improved a lot in recent times. With Local File Manager, you can also manage, transfer and share your files with other local storage devices. With the iOS 16 update, you can now change the file extension as well.

What is Change File Type on iPhone?

Converting a file means converting a file from one format to another, typically for compatibility or size reduction purposes to free up your iPhone storage. This process changes the internal structure and encoding of that file to meet the specifications of the new format. To convert a file type, built-in software features, stand-alone applications or online file conversion services can be used.

The iPhone supports a wide range of file types to ensure compatibility with various apps and services. Some common file types found on iPhones are:

File Category	File Extension	Description
Documents	.pdf	Portable Document Format
	.doc, .docx	Microsoft Word
	.xls, .xlsx	Microsoft Excel
	.ppt, .pptx	Microsoft PowerPoint
	.pages	Apple Pages
	.numbers	Apple Numbers
	.keynote	Apple Keynote
	.rtf	Rich Text Format
	.txt	Plain Text
Images	.jpg, .jpeg	Joint Photographic Experts Group
	.png	Portable Network Graphics
	.gif	Graphics Interchange Format
	.bmp	Bitmap
	.tiff	Tagged Image File Format
	.heic	High Efficiency Image Codec
Videos	.mp4	MPEG-4 Part 14
	.mov	Apple QuickTime Movie
	.m4v	iTunes Video
	.avi	Audio Video Interleave
	.mkv	Matroska Video
	.3gp	3GPP Multimedia File
Audio Files	.mp3	MPEG Audio Layer-3
	.aac	Advanced Audio Codec
	.wav	Waveform Audio File Format
	.m4a	MPEG-4 Audio Layer
	.aiff	Audio Interchange File Format
	.caf	Core Audio Format
Compressed Files	.zip	ZIP Archive
	.rar	RAR Archive
	.tar	Tape Archive
	.gz	Gzip Compressed Archive
	.7z	7-Zip Compressed Archive

Note: Be aware that changing the file type can sometimes reduce quality or performance.

Change File Type on iPhone

You can use These Three Ways to Change file Type on iPhone:

• Using the Apple Files app
• Using a Third-Party App
• Using an Online Conversion Tool

Method 1: Using the Apple Files app

The first and easiest method to change file type on iPhone can be done using the inbuilt Files app.

With the release of iOS 16, Apple has made it easier for users to change file extensions for certain file types, even though some of them might not change directly. This is because extensions like .mp4, .jpg, .png, and .pdf are hidden by default in the Files app. To change the file extension for these types, follow the steps outlined below:

• Open the Files app and navigate to the location of the file whose extension you want to change.
• Tap on the three dots in the top-right corner of the screen.
• Select “View Options” from the menu that appears.
• Tap on “Show all extensions”, This will display the file names with their current extensions.

• Locate the file you want to change and press it for a few seconds.
• Select the “Rename” option from the context menu.
• Tap on the current file extension, which is now editable.
• Replace the current extension with the desired new extension.

• A pop-up will appear, prompting you to confirm the change. If you decide not to change the file extension, tap on the old extension. Otherwise, tap on the new extension.
• The file extension will be changed, and you can now access your file with the updated format.

Note: This feature only works with iOS 16 and later versions.

Method 2: Using a Third-Party App

If you haven’t updated your iPhone to iOS 16 or you’re using an older version of iOS, you won’t be able to change it with the above method. So, you can use third-party applications. For that follow the following steps:

• Download and install a file converter app from the App Store. Some popular options include The File Converter, My File Organizer, and More.
• Open the file converter app and select the file you want to change.
• Choose the desired output format for your file.
• Tap the “Convert” button and wait for the conversion to complete.
• Save or share the newly converted file as needed.

Method 3: Using an Online Conversion Tool

• Open the Safari browser on your iPhone and visit an online file conversion website, such as Ilovepdf, Smallpdf, and more.
• Upload the file you want to change by tapping the “Choose File” button.
• Select the desired output format from the available options.
• Tap the “Convert” button and wait for the conversion to finish.
• Download the converted file to your iPhone or share it using the provided link.

Note: This method should only be used if your files and documents are not confidential.

Conclusion

Changing file types and extensions on your iPhone can be accomplished using Apple File app, third-party apps, or online conversion tools. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily modify your files for compatibility or personal preferences. Always choose reputable tools and be aware of copyright restrictions when working with DRM-protected files.

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