What Is a HEIC File?
A HEIC file is a photo saved in the High Efficiency Image Container format, which iPhones have used by default since iOS 11 in 2017. It holds the same kind of picture as a JPG in much less space, but some apps, websites and Windows PCs cannot open it.
HEIC meaning, in plain words
HEIC is short for High Efficiency Image Container. It is a kind of HEIF file (High Efficiency Image File Format), a standard from the MPEG group. The picture inside is compressed with HEVC, the same method used for modern video (also called H.265).
Apple switched the iPhone camera to HEIF and HEVC with iOS 11 in 2017. At the time, Apple said the new formats would save up to about half the storage of JPEG and H.264, with the same picture quality. Apple's support pages still describe HEIF and HEVC as giving "better compression than JPEG and H.264".
A HEIC file can also hold more than one picture plus extras, such as depth data for Portrait mode editing and wider color. A JPG holds one flat picture.
Why are my photos HEIC?
Because your iPhone's camera is set to High Efficiency, which is the default. You can check in Settings, Camera, Formats:
- High Efficiency: photos are saved as HEIC.
- Most Compatible: photos are saved as JPG.
You may also get HEIC files from someone else's iPhone, or from some Samsung Galaxy phones and cameras that use HEIF. See HEIC to JPG on iPhone for how to switch.
HEIC vs JPG at a glance
| HEIC | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Smaller (Apple said up to about half) | Larger |
| Opens on iPhone, iPad, Mac | Yes, since iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra | Yes |
| Opens on Windows | Needs Store extensions on many PCs | Yes |
| Accepted by upload forms | Often not | Almost always |
| Extras | Depth data, wide color, image sequences | One picture only |
How to open a HEIC file
- iPhone, iPad and Mac: they open in Photos and Preview already.
- Windows: install Microsoft's HEIF and HEVC extensions, or use a browser tool. See HEIC on Windows.
- Android: many phones from Android 9 on can show them. See HEIC on Android.
- Any device: open it in the HEIC viewer in your browser, which also shows the date, camera and location saved in the file.
How to turn a HEIC file into a JPG
Use the HEIC to JPG converter: choose the photos, download JPGs. It works in any modern browser and never uploads the photos. For other formats, see HEIC to PNG and HEIC to PDF. For every built-in method on each device, read how to convert HEIC to JPG.
Questions
What does HEIC stand for?
High Efficiency Image Container. It is a type of HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) file that uses HEVC compression.
Is HEIC better than JPG?
For storage, yes: it makes smaller files for the same look. For sharing, JPG is easier because almost everything opens it.
Is a HEIC file safe to open?
Yes. It is a normal photo format. As with any file, open it with a trusted app or tool.
How do I pronounce HEIC?
Most people say "heek" or spell it out: H-E-I-C.
What is the difference between HEIC and HEIF?
HEIF is the general format. HEIC is HEIF with HEVC-compressed pictures, which is what iPhones save. See HEIF to JPG.
Can I delete the HEIC after converting?
You can, but keep the original if you might want to edit Portrait mode depth effects later, or keep the smaller size.
HEIC tools
- HEIC to JPG ConverterThe main converter: HEIC photos to JPG in bulk, in your browser.
- HEIC to PNG ConverterHEIC photos to PNG, for editing and design tools.
- HEIC to PDF ConverterHEIC photos to one combined PDF, or one PDF per photo.
- HEIC to JPEG ConverterHEIC photos to JPEG, saved with the .jpeg file ending.
- HEIF to JPG ConverterHEIF and .hif files from phones and cameras to JPG, PNG or PDF.
- Bulk HEIC to JPG ConverterDrop a whole folder of HEIC photos, get one ZIP of JPGs.
- HEIC to WebP ConverterHEIC photos to small WebP files for websites (Chrome, Edge, Firefox).
- HEIC ViewerOpen a HEIC file in the browser and see its date, camera and location.
- Remove Metadata From PhotoStrip the location or all details from photos, without uploading them.
On iPhone or iPad?
Convert right from the Photos app
The NoHEIC app adds "Convert" to the share sheet: select photos in Photos, tap Share, pick JPG, PNG or PDF. It keeps the date taken, so converted photos stay in order. No ads, no subscription: free for up to 25 photos at a time, $4.99 once for unlimited. Coming to the App Store soon.
See what the app does- Hundreds at oncefrom the photo picker, no library access needed
- Dates and names keptIMG_1234.HEIC becomes IMG_1234.jpg
- Fits upload formsset a size limit like "under 2 MB"