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What is a HEIC file?
HEIC is Apple's default photo format on iPhone and iPad since iOS 11 in 2017, built on the MPEG HEIF container standardised in 2015. It stores photos at roughly half the size of an equivalent JPG, but support outside the Apple ecosystem remains inconsistent, which is why conversion is so often needed.
At a glance
- Full name
- High Efficiency Image Container (HEIF)
- Extensions
- .heic, .heif
- Type
- Image
- Introduced
- 2015
- Created by
- MPEG (standard); adopted by Apple
- Compression
- Lossy
- MIME type
- image/heic
Strengths
- Roughly half the file size of JPG at similar quality
- Can hold image sequences, depth maps and Live Photo data
- Supports 16-bit colour, unlike 8-bit JPG
Limitations
- Frequently will not open on Windows, older Android, or in web tools
- Patent-encumbered, which is why adoption stalled outside Apple
When to use HEIC
Use it when
Staying inside the Apple ecosystem and storage space matters.
Avoid it when
Sending photos to someone else, uploading to a website, or archiving for the long term. Convert to JPG or PNG first.
Convert HEIC files
Every tool below runs in your browser unless it is labelled otherwise, so the file stays on your device.
HEIC compared
Related image formats
Last updated 2026-08-03