What is HEIC?

Apple’s default photo format delivering superior compression with HEVC technology

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is an image format based on the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) standard, defined by MPEG in 2015 under ISO/IEC 23008-12. It uses HEVC (H.265) video codec technology to compress still images far more efficiently than JPEG while preserving higher visual quality.

Apple adopted HEIC as the default photo format for iPhones and iPads starting with iOS 11 in 2017, instantly making it one of the most widely captured image formats in the world. Every photo taken on a modern iPhone is stored as HEIC unless the user specifically changes the camera settings.

While HEIC delivers excellent compression and quality, its reliance on the patent-encumbered HEVC codec has limited adoption outside Apple’s ecosystem. Windows requires a paid extension, and web browsers have minimal support. Most users encounter HEIC when transferring iPhone photos to other devices.

Technical specifications

Full name High Efficiency Image Container (HEIF with HEVC)
File extensions .heic, .heif
MIME type image/heic
Compression Lossy and lossless (HEVC-based)
Color depth Up to 16-bit color + alpha channel
Transparency Supported
Animation Supported (image sequences)
Max dimensions 8,192 × 4,320 pixels
Metadata EXIF, XMP, auxiliary images, depth maps
Year released 2015

When to use HEIC

  • iPhone and iPad photography where storage efficiency saves significant device space
  • Apple-centric workflows where HEIC is natively supported across all devices
  • Storing photos with depth maps and Live Photo data in a single container file
  • Archival photography where HEIC’s quality-to-size ratio preserves more detail than JPEG
  • Situations where you can convert to JPEG or PNG before sharing with non-Apple users

Pros and cons

Advantages

  • Roughly twice the compression efficiency of JPEG at equivalent visual quality
  • Supports up to 16-bit color depth for superior tonal range and gradients
  • Can store multiple images, depth maps, and Live Photos in a single file
  • Native support on all Apple devices, macOS, and iOS
  • Supports lossless compression, transparency, and image sequences

Disadvantages

  • Very limited web browser support, making it unsuitable for direct web publishing
  • HEVC licensing fees create barriers for third-party software and services
  • Windows users must purchase a codec extension or use third-party converters
  • Not accepted by most websites, social media platforms, or email as an upload format
  • Limited support in professional design and publishing software

Compatibility

HEIC is fully supported on Apple devices running iOS 11+ and macOS High Sierra+. Windows 10/11 supports HEIC with a paid HEVC extension from the Microsoft Store. Web browser support is essentially nonexistent, requiring conversion to JPEG or PNG for online use.

HEIC vs other formats

HEIC vs JPEG
HEIC produces files roughly half the size of JPEG at comparable quality, with support for 16-bit color and transparency. However, JPEG is universally compatible everywhere while HEIC is essentially limited to Apple devices.
HEIC vs PNG
HEIC offers dramatically smaller file sizes for photographs compared to PNG’s lossless compression. PNG is better for graphics and screenshots needing pixel-perfect accuracy. HEIC excels at photographic content within the Apple ecosystem.
HEIC vs AVIF
Both formats deliver similar compression quality, but AVIF is royalty-free and has growing browser support, while HEIC is encumbered by HEVC patents. AVIF is the better choice for the web; HEIC remains dominant on Apple devices.

HEIC tools on My File Tool

Convert HEIC files to JPEG, PNG, WebP, or other formats for easy sharing. First file always free.

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Frequently asked questions

Why does my iPhone save photos as HEIC?
Apple adopted HEIC as the default format in iOS 11 because it produces files half the size of JPEG while maintaining better quality. This saves significant storage space on your device.
How do I open HEIC files on Windows?
Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC files after installing the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. Alternatively, convert HEIC files to JPEG or PNG using a free online converter.
Can I change my iPhone to save photos as JPEG instead?
Yes, go to Settings, then Camera, then Formats, and select Most Compatible. This switches your camera to save photos as JPEG instead of HEIC, though files will be roughly twice as large.
Do web browsers support HEIC?
No, major web browsers do not natively display HEIC images. To use iPhone photos on websites or in emails, convert them to JPEG, PNG, or WebP first using a free conversion tool.
Is HEIC the same as HEIF?
HEIF is the container format standard, while HEIC specifically refers to HEIF files using HEVC compression. In practice, the terms are used interchangeably since HEVC is the most common codec used with HEIF.

Other format guides

JPEG PNG WEBP AVIF

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