What Is HEIC? Complete Guide to Apple's High Efficiency Image Format
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the file format Apple adopted in 2017 for photos taken on iPhones and iPads. Based on the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) standard, HEIC uses the HEVC (H.265) video codec to compress still images, achieving approximately 50% smaller file sizes than JPG at equivalent visual quality. While HEIC delivers impressive compression and supports advanced features like depth maps and Live Photos, its limited compatibility outside the Apple ecosystem remains its primary challenge.
Technical Overview of HEIC and HEIF
HEIC is Apple's specific implementation of the broader HEIF standard (ISO/IEC 23008-12), which was finalized by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) in 2015. HEIF is a container format that can hold images compressed with different codecs; Apple chose HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding, also known as H.265) as the compression codec, resulting in files with the .heic extension. HEVC applies advanced intra-frame prediction techniques from video compression to still images, dividing images into coding tree units (CTUs) that can range from 16x16 to 64x64 pixels, allowing the encoder to adapt block sizes to image content for optimal compression. HEIC supports 8-bit and 10-bit color depth per channel, enabling High Dynamic Range (HDR) content with wider color gamuts like Display P3. A single HEIC file can contain multiple images (for burst shots or image sequences), depth maps from dual-camera systems, alpha channels for transparency, and auxiliary images like thumbnails. The format also stores rich EXIF metadata and supports image transformations like rotation and cropping stored as non-destructive metadata.
Advantages and Limitations of HEIC
HEIC represents a significant technical advancement over JPG but faces adoption barriers outside Apple devices.
- Approximately 50% smaller file sizes than JPG at equivalent visual quality, saving significant storage space on devices
- Supports 10-bit color depth for HDR content and wider color gamuts like Display P3
- Can store multiple images, depth maps, and auxiliary data in a single file container
- Supports alpha channel transparency, unlike JPG
- Non-destructive editing metadata allows rotations and crops without re-encoding
- Native support on Apple devices running iOS 11+ and macOS High Sierra+
- Limited compatibility on Windows (requires HEVC extension), Android, and web browsers
- No native browser support, making HEIC unsuitable for direct web use
- HEVC codec is subject to patent licensing from multiple patent pools, creating legal complexity
- Many social media platforms, email clients, and web services do not accept HEIC uploads
Where HEIC Is Used and Compatible
- iPhones and iPads running iOS 11 or later use HEIC as the default photo format
- macOS High Sierra and later display and edit HEIC files natively in Preview, Photos, and Finder
- Windows 10 and 11 can display HEIC after installing the free HEIF Image Extensions and paid HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store
- Some Android devices (Android 9+) can read HEIC files, but support varies by manufacturer
- Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop support HEIC import on both Mac and Windows
- Most web browsers cannot display HEIC files natively, requiring conversion for web use
- Cloud services like iCloud, Google Photos, and Dropbox handle HEIC with varying degrees of automatic conversion
HEIC vs JPG: Side-by-Side Comparison
HEIC offers clear technical advantages over JPG, but JPG's universal compatibility makes it essential for sharing.
| Feature | HEIC | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| File size (same quality) | ~50% smaller | Baseline reference |
| Color depth | 8-bit and 10-bit (HDR) | 8-bit only |
| Transparency | Supported | Not supported |
| Multi-image container | Yes (bursts, sequences) | No, single image only |
| Browser support | None natively | Universal |
| Device compatibility | Apple-centric | Universal across all devices |
| Codec licensing | HEVC patents, complex licensing | No patents, royalty-free |
How to Convert HEIC to JPG or PNG
- 1
Identify your HEIC files
HEIC files from an iPhone typically have the .heic or .HEIC extension. When transferring photos from your iPhone, check your iOS settings under Camera > Formats to see if "High Efficiency" (HEIC) or "Most Compatible" (JPG) is selected.
- 2
Upload HEIC files to WeLoveConvert
Open the WeLoveConvert HEIC converter in your browser and upload your HEIC files. The tool handles HEIC decoding directly in your browser without uploading files to any server.
- 3
Choose your output format
Select JPG for photographs you want to share widely, or PNG if you need to preserve transparency or require lossless quality. Adjust the quality setting for JPG output.
- 4
Download converted files
The conversion processes locally and produces standard JPG or PNG files compatible with every device, browser, and application. Download and use them anywhere.
The History of HEIC and Apple's Adoption
The HEIF standard was developed by MPEG and published as ISO/IEC 23008-12 in 2015, building on decades of work in video compression that produced the highly efficient HEVC (H.265) codec. Apple became the first major technology company to adopt HEIF at scale when it announced HEIC support at WWDC 2017 alongside iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. Apple's motivation was practical: iPhones were generating ever-larger photo libraries, and HEIC's 50% size reduction translated directly to doubling the number of photos that could fit on a device. Apple also leveraged HEIC's container capabilities for Live Photos (which combine a still image with a short video clip) and portrait mode depth maps. Despite Apple's push, HEIC adoption outside the Apple ecosystem has been slow. The HEVC codec's complex patent licensing landscape, involving multiple patent pools (MPEG LA, HEVC Advance, and Velos Media), has discouraged browser vendors and other platforms from adding native support. This fragmented licensing situation directly led to the development of royalty-free alternatives like AVIF, which is based on the AV1 video codec. Today, HEIC remains primarily an Apple ecosystem format, with most users needing to convert to JPG or PNG for cross-platform sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HEIC and HEIF?
HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) is the broader standard that defines the container format. HEIC is the specific implementation that uses the HEVC codec for compression. In practice, files with the .heic extension are HEIF containers using HEVC compression. Apple uses the HEIC extension for photos taken on iOS devices.
Why does my iPhone save photos as HEIC?
Starting with iOS 11, iPhones save photos in HEIC format by default because it produces files roughly 50% smaller than JPG at the same quality. This saves significant storage space on your device. You can change this in Settings > Camera > Formats, choosing "Most Compatible" to save as JPG instead.
Can I open HEIC files on Windows?
Yes, but you may need to install extensions from the Microsoft Store. Windows 10 and 11 require the free HEIF Image Extensions and the HEVC Video Extensions (which may cost a small fee) to display HEIC files in Photos and File Explorer. Once installed, HEIC files work like any other image format.
Why can't I upload HEIC files to websites?
Most websites and web browsers do not support HEIC natively. The format's patent licensing complexity has prevented browser vendors from adding built-in support. To share HEIC photos online, convert them to JPG or PNG first using a tool like WeLoveConvert.
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
There is some quality loss because you are re-encoding from one lossy format to another. However, since HEIC files from iPhones are captured at high quality, converting to JPG at quality 90-95 produces results that are visually indistinguishable from the HEIC original for most purposes.
How do I stop my iPhone from taking HEIC photos?
Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and select "Most Compatible." This makes your iPhone capture photos in JPG format. Note that this increases file sizes by roughly double and disables some features like 10-bit HDR capture.
Is HEIC better than WebP?
HEIC offers slightly better compression than WebP in many cases, and supports 10-bit HDR which WebP does not. However, WebP has universal browser support and royalty-free licensing, making it far more practical for web use. HEIC is better for device storage, while WebP is better for web delivery.
Can Android phones open HEIC files?
Some Android devices running Android 9 (Pie) or later can open HEIC files, but support varies significantly by manufacturer and model. Google Photos on Android can display HEIC files. For guaranteed compatibility, converting HEIC to JPG before transferring to Android devices is recommended.
HEIC represents an impressive technical achievement in image compression, delivering iPhone photos at half the file size of JPG with equal or better visual quality. For Apple users, HEIC works seamlessly within the ecosystem, saving storage space and enabling advanced features like HDR and depth maps. However, its limited cross-platform compatibility and complex patent licensing mean that conversion to JPG or PNG remains necessary for sharing images outside the Apple world. Tools like WeLoveConvert make this conversion quick and easy, bridging the gap between HEIC's efficiency and the universal compatibility of established formats.