The short answer
HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It is Apple’s name for a photo saved in the HEIF format with HEVC (H.265) compression. It keeps the quality of a JPG in about half the file size. If a file will not open or upload, convert it to JPG with HEIC to JPG.
HEIF, HEIC and HEVC
- HEIF is the file format (also called MPEG-H Part 12). It is a container that holds images and extra data.
- HEVC is the codec, the method that compresses the pixels. It comes from the video standard H.265.
- HEIC is a HEIF file with HEVC compression. It is the extension iPhones and iPads use.
Why HEIC exists
JPG dates from 1992. HEIC compresses photos much better, and it can also hold things JPG cannot: 10-bit color, depth data for Portrait mode, several images in one file, Live Photos and transparency. Apple switched to it in iOS 11 to save space on devices and in iCloud.
Where HEIC opens
| Platform | Opens HEIC? |
|---|---|
| iPhone, iPad, Mac | Yes, in Photos, Preview and Safari |
| Windows 10 and 11 | With the HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store |
| Android 9 and later | In the gallery, but many apps and sites do not accept it |
| Chrome, Edge, Firefox | No, unless a script decodes it |
| Safari | Yes |
| WhatsApp, email, most upload forms | Usually converted or rejected, depending on the app |
How to stop saving photos as HEIC
- On the iPhone, open Settings and then Camera.
- Tap Formats.
- Choose Most Compatible. New photos are saved as JPG, and videos as H.264.
Photos already taken stay as HEIC. Also check Settings, Photos, Transfer to Mac or PC, and choose Automatic. The iPhone then converts photos to JPG when you copy them to a PC.
How to convert HEIC
- In the browser: HEIC to JPG for one or a few photos, bulk HEIC to JPG for a folder, HEIC to PNG for lossless files.
- On a Mac: open the photo in Preview and choose File, Export.
- On an iPhone: save the photo to Files, or share it by AirDrop to a Mac. The Files app can also convert through Quick Actions, Convert Image.
- Google Photos or iCloud.com: downloading from the website gives JPG files.
What you lose when converting
A JPG cannot hold Live Photo motion, depth maps or 10-bit color, and a converter that works through a browser does not copy EXIF data such as the date and location. The main picture looks the same. If you need to keep the originals, convert copies, and keep the HEIC files as your archive. The HEIC vs JPG guide compares both formats in detail.
Convert your photos now. HEIC to JPG in your browser, one photo or a whole folder, with nothing uploaded.