How to make the Camera app take JPEG pictures? The iPhone camera will now default to taking pictures in a new HEIF format, rather then JPEG. This camera formatting change to HEIF came in iOS 11, but some iPhone/iPad users may prefer to have the camera continue to snap photos in JPEG format for broader compatibility with sharing, copying to a computer, and more. Go to the Settings app Swipe down and tap on Camera Tap Formats Tap Most Compatible to set the default photo format to JPG.