Image format
What is a .heic file?
HEIC is the photo format iPhones and iPads use by default. It stores images compressed with HEVC inside a HEIF container, so a photo takes less space than the same photo as JPG.
The problem is compatibility. Apple devices open it directly, but Chrome, Firefox and Edge don’t display it, and Windows needs extensions from the Microsoft Store.
fileclay opens HEIC but doesn’t write it
HEIC vs JPG vs AVIF
| HEIC | JPG | AVIF | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy | Lossy or lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | No | Yes |
| Color depth | 8 or 10 bits | 8 bits | 8, 10 or 12 bits |
| Browsers | Safari only | All | All modern browsers |
| Licensing | HEVC patents | Free to use | Royalty-free |
| Best for | Photos on Apple devices | Sharing anywhere | Images on the web |
When to use HEIC
Good for
- Keeping photos on an iPhone, iPad or Mac
- Saving storage without visible quality loss
- HDR and wide-color photos in Apple apps
Not a good fit
- Uploading to sites that only accept JPG or PNG
- Sending photos to Windows or Android users
- Publishing on a website: most browsers won’t show it
How to open .heic files
| Platform | App | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone, iPad | Photos, Files | Built in |
| macOS | Photos, Preview | Built in |
| Windows 10, 11 | Photos | Needs HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions |
| Android | Google Photos | Android 9 and later |
| Browsers | Safari | Chrome, Firefox and Edge don’t display it |
| Editors | Photoshop, GIMP | Depends on version and system codecs |
Convert HEIC files
From HEIC
fileclay opens HEIC but doesn’t write it.
All 24 output formats: .png, .jpg, .webp, .bmp, .tif, .tiff, .gif, .tga, .jp2, .j2k, .j2c, .ico, .ppm, .pgm, .pbm, .pam, .qoi, .pcx, .exr, .sgi, .xbm, .jpeg, .pdf, .pptx
Conversions run in your browser. Files aren’t uploaded.
How to identify a .heic file
HEIC uses the ISO media file structure. From the fifth byte on, the file reads “ftypheic”, a label that says what kind of container it is.
It’s read here, in your browser. Only the first bytes.
Your file
What comes after
Questions about HEIC
Why does my iPhone save photos as HEIC?
Because of the default camera setting. Settings › Camera › Formats › Most Compatible makes it save JPG instead.
How do I open a HEIC file on Windows?
Install HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Without them, Photos can’t read the file.
Is HEIC better than JPG?
It holds the same visual quality in less space, and adds transparency and 10-bit color. JPG opens everywhere, which HEIC doesn’t.
Is HEIC the same as HEIF?
HEIF is the container and HEIC is the name for HEVC-coded images inside it. Most iPhone files are both.
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
A little, because both are lossy and the photo is encoded again. At high quality settings it’s hard to see.