diff --git a/client/src/components/Journey/JourneyDetailPageSettingsDialog.tsx b/client/src/components/Journey/JourneyDetailPageSettingsDialog.tsx
index 7c00f110..2273617c 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Journey/JourneyDetailPageSettingsDialog.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/Journey/JourneyDetailPageSettingsDialog.tsx
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import JourneyShareSection from './JourneyShareSection'
 import type { JourneyDetail } from '../../store/journeyStore'
 import { pickGradient } from '../../pages/journeyDetail/JourneyDetailPage.helpers'
 import { AddTripDialog } from './JourneyDetailPageAddTripDialog'
+import { normalizeImageFile } from '../../utils/convertHeic'
 
 export function JourneySettingsDialog({ journey, onClose, onSaved, onOpenInvite, onRefresh }: {
   journey: JourneyDetail
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@ export function JourneySettingsDialog({ journey, onClose, onSaved, onOpenInvite,
     const file = e.target.files?.[0]
     if (!file) return
     const formData = new FormData()
-    formData.append('cover', file)
+    formData.append('cover', await normalizeImageFile(file))
     try {
       await journeyApi.uploadCover(journey.id, formData)
       toast.success(t('journey.settings.coverUpdated'))
diff --git a/client/src/components/Trips/TripFormModal.tsx b/client/src/components/Trips/TripFormModal.tsx
index ef1a528a..7fe17302 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Trips/TripFormModal.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/Trips/TripFormModal.tsx
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import { useCanDo } from '../../store/permissionsStore'
 import { useToast } from '../shared/Toast'
 import { useTranslation } from '../../i18n'
 import { CustomDatePicker } from '../shared/CustomDateTimePicker'
+import { normalizeImageFile } from '../../utils/convertHeic'
 import type { Trip } from '../../types'
 import type { TripCreateRequest } from '@trek/shared'
 
@@ -141,15 +142,17 @@ export default function TripFormModal({ isOpen, onClose, onSave, trip, onCoverUp
     }
   }
 
-  const handleCoverSelect = (file) => {
+  const handleCoverSelect = async (file) => {
     if (!file) return
+    // HEIC/HEIF from iOS can't be rendered or stored as-is — convert to JPEG first
+    const normalized = await normalizeImageFile(file)
     if (isEditing && trip?.id) {
       // Existing trip: upload immediately
-      uploadCoverNow(file)
+      uploadCoverNow(normalized)
     } else {
       // New trip: stage for upload after creation
-      setPendingCoverFile(file)
-      setCoverPreview(URL.createObjectURL(file))
+      setPendingCoverFile(normalized)
+      setCoverPreview(URL.createObjectURL(normalized))
     }
   }