What is a HEIC file, and how do you open it?
If you have an iPhone, your photos are probably HEIC files. Here is what that means and how to use them anywhere.
HEIC in one sentence
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the photo format iPhones have used by default since iOS 11: it stores a photo in about half the space of a JPG at the same quality, using the same compression technology as modern video.
Why HEIC files cause problems
- Windows needs an extra extension to display them.
- Many websites, forms and print services refuse them.
- Most web browsers cannot display them.
- Some photo editors and office programs cannot open them.
How to open or convert a HEIC photo
The simplest solution is to convert it to JPG, which opens everywhere: drop your photos on HEIC to JPG and download them. If you plan to edit the photo further, HEIC to PNG gives a lossless file. Because browsers cannot decode HEIC, these conversions run on our server and the files are deleted automatically within 30 minutes.
How to stop getting HEIC files
On the iPhone, open Settings → Camera → Formats and choose Most Compatible: new photos are then saved as JPG. Alternatively, keep HEIC and set Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC to Automatic, so photos are converted to JPG when you copy them to a computer with a cable.
Is HEIC better than JPG?
Technically yes: smaller files, better quality, support for transparency and depth data. Practically, JPG remains the safer choice as soon as a photo leaves your Apple devices.