What Is a HEIC File, and How Do You Open It?
A HEIC file is a photo saved in the High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF), which iPhones and iPads use by default since iOS 11. It keeps the same quality as a JPG at about half the size. Macs, iPhones and most recent Android phones open HEIC files directly; on Windows you need Microsoft's HEIF and HEVC extensions, or you can convert the photo to JPG, which opens everywhere.
What a HEIC file is
HEIC is the format your iPhone uses for photos. Apple switched to it in 2017 with iOS 11, because it stores a photo at roughly half the size of a JPG with the same quality. A 12-megapixel photo that would be 3–4 MB as a JPG is often 1.5–2 MB as a HEIC, which adds up quickly across thousands of photos.
The name comes from HEIF, the High Efficiency Image File Format. A .heic file is a HEIF image compressed with HEVC (H.265). You may also see .heif files from some Android phones and cameras; they are the same kind of file.
HEIC vs JPG at a glance
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | About half | Larger |
| Works on | iPhone, iPad, Mac, most recent Android phones | Everything |
| Upload forms and older software | Often not accepted | Accepted |
| Extras | Depth data, Live Photo stills, 10-bit colour | None |
How to open a HEIC file
On a Mac
Double-click it. HEIC files open in Preview and Photos on macOS High Sierra (10.13) and later.
On Windows 10 or 11
- Open the Microsoft Store and install HEIF Image Extensions (free).
- Also install HEVC Video Extensions. Microsoft may charge a small fee for it.
- Open the HEIC file in the Photos app.
If you only need to open a few photos, or the PC is not yours, it is quicker to convert them to JPG with our HEIC to JPG converter in the browser. Nothing needs to be installed.
On Android
Most phones from the last few years (Android 9 and later) show HEIC photos in Google Photos and the gallery app. If an app refuses the file, convert it to JPG first.
In a web browser
Safari on Mac and iPhone displays HEIC images. Chrome, Edge and Firefox do not, which is one reason websites ask for JPG.
How to convert HEIC to JPG
- Any device: open the HEIC to JPG converter, choose your photos and download the JPGs. It converts many at once, and the photos stay on your device.
- Mac: open the photo in Preview, choose File > Export and pick JPEG. On macOS Monterey and later you can also select several photos in Finder, right-click and choose Quick Actions > Convert Image.
- iPhone: copying a photo into the Files app, or sharing it by Mail, often converts it to JPG automatically. For a reliable result, use the converter in Safari.
How to stop your iPhone saving photos as HEIC
You have two options, depending on whether you want to keep the space savings:
- Save new photos as JPG: go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose Most Compatible. Photos will take up about twice the space.
- Keep HEIC on the phone but get JPGs on your computer: go to Settings > Photos (on iOS 18 and later, Settings > Apps > Photos) and set Transfer to Mac or PC to Automatic. Photos copied over a USB cable are then converted to JPG.
Neither setting changes photos you have already taken; convert those with the tool above.
Is it safe to convert HEIC photos online?
It depends on the site. Many converters upload your photos to their server. Our converter runs in your browser, so the photos never leave your device, and the JPG it creates does not include the GPS location stored in the original. That is worth knowing before you post a photo taken at home.
Frequently asked questions
What does HEIC stand for?
HEIC is Apple's file extension for images in the High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) that are compressed with HEVC, the same compression used for 4K video. HEIF itself is an open standard from the MPEG group.
Is HEIC better than JPG?
For storing photos, yes: HEIC files are about half the size at the same quality and can hold extras such as depth data and Live Photo stills. For sharing, JPG is better because every device, website and app can open it.
Why can't I upload my iPhone photo to a website?
Many upload forms accept only JPG or PNG and reject HEIC. Convert the photo to JPG first, then upload the JPG.
Does converting HEIC to JPG reduce quality?
Slightly, because JPG is a lossy format, but at high quality (90% or more) the difference is not visible. Keep the original HEIC if you want the best possible copy.
Can I open HEIC files in Google Photos or Google Drive?
Yes. Both show HEIC photos. Downloading them from Google Photos keeps the HEIC format, so convert them if the next app needs JPG.
Can I turn a JPG into a HEIC file?
Yes, on a Mac: open the JPG in Preview, choose File > Export and pick HEIC as the format. There is little reason to, unless you need to save space.