HEIC Tools
What Is HEIC?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the file format iPhones and iPads have used for photos since iOS 11 was released in 2017. The underlying format is HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format), developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). Apple adopted it primarily because it achieves roughly half the file size of JPG at equivalent visual quality — a significant saving for a device that takes thousands of photos.
On an Apple device, HEIC files look and behave exactly like any other photo. The problem arises the moment you try to use them anywhere else — on Windows, in web browsers, in most image editors, or when uploading to platforms that expect JPG or PNG.
Why iPhone Photos Are HEIC
Apple made the switch to HEIC because modern phones take a lot of photos. With Live Photos, burst mode, and 4K video frames, storage fills up quickly. HEIC lets the same photos take up roughly half the space without any visible quality penalty. For Apple's ecosystem — iCloud storage, iPhone-to-iPhone sharing, AirDrop — it works seamlessly.
The compatibility issues only emerge at the edges: when someone tries to use the photo outside Apple's ecosystem. Windows doesn't natively decode HEIC. Most web platforms don't accept HEIC uploads. Many print labs expect JPG. The result is that HEIC photos frequently need to be converted before they can be used anywhere other than an Apple device.
HEIC vs. JPG
| Feature | HEIC | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| File size | ~50% smaller at same quality | Larger |
| Visual quality | Better (more efficient compression) | Good |
| Color depth | Up to 16-bit | 8-bit |
| Transparency | Supported | Not supported |
| Browser support | Safari only (partial elsewhere) | Universal |
| Software support | Apple-centric | Universal |
| Best for | Apple device storage | Sharing, web, print, compatibility |
JPG wins on compatibility. HEIC wins on efficiency. For anything that stays on Apple devices, HEIC is the better format. For anything that needs to be shared, printed, or used in software outside Apple's ecosystem, JPG is the practical choice.
HEIC vs. PNG
PNG is a lossless format, meaning it preserves every pixel exactly as captured. HEIC uses lossy compression, so some image data is discarded to achieve its small file sizes. For most photographs, the difference is invisible at normal viewing sizes, but for images with sharp edges, text, or areas of flat color, PNG will be sharper.
PNG also has near-universal support — every browser, operating system, and image editor handles it without any extra software. Converting HEIC to PNG gives you a fully lossless copy of the photo, at the cost of a much larger file size.
HEIC vs. WebP
WebP is Google's modern image format that also achieves better compression than JPG. Like HEIC, it supports both lossy and lossless modes and can include transparency. WebP has full browser support as of 2020 and is widely used for web images.
The key difference is that HEIC was designed for camera capture and storage, while WebP was designed for web delivery. WebP is not commonly used as a camera format. For web use, WebP is generally the best output format. For broader compatibility (email, print, desktop software), JPG is still the most reliable choice.
How to Open HEIC Files on Windows
Windows 10 and 11 don't include HEIC support by default. There are a few ways to add it:
- Microsoft Store codec — Install the HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store. This adds HEIC support to Photos, File Explorer, and other apps.
- Convert online — Use a browser-based converter (like the tools on this page) to convert HEIC to JPG or PNG without installing anything.
- Apple iCloud for Windows — If you sync photos via iCloud, the iCloud for Windows app can be configured to automatically download photos as JPG instead of HEIC.
The simplest solution for occasional use is to convert the files with an online tool. For ongoing use — if you regularly receive HEIC photos — installing the Windows codec is more convenient.
How to Stop Your iPhone from Saving Photos as HEIC
If you'd prefer your iPhone to shoot in JPG instead of HEIC, you can change the camera format:
- Open Settings
- Tap Camera
- Tap Formats
- Select Most Compatible (instead of High Efficiency)
This saves photos as JPG and videos as H.264. The tradeoff is that photos will take up more storage space. High Efficiency keeps the HEIC format and smaller file sizes.
Alternatively, you can keep shooting in HEIC and use the Transfer to Mac or PC setting (also under Camera settings) to set your iPhone to automatically convert photos to JPG when you transfer them via USB.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HEIC stand for?
HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It is Apple's implementation of the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) standard.
Are HEIC and HEIF the same thing?
Nearly. HEIF is the container format standard; HEIC is Apple's specific flavor of it. Both use the .heic or .heif file extension and both are decoded by the same tools. In practice, they are interchangeable.
Can I open HEIC files on Android?
Android 9 and later include partial HEIF support, but compatibility varies by device, app, and Android version. Converting to JPG remains the most reliable way to ensure a HEIC photo opens correctly on Android.
Does converting HEIC to JPG lose quality?
Some quality is lost because HEIC uses efficient lossy compression internally, and JPG applies its own lossy compression on top. At a high JPG quality setting (85–95%), the difference is invisible to the naked eye in normal photos. If you need a lossless copy, convert to PNG instead.
Why is my HEIC photo much larger than I expected after converting to JPG?
HEIC is a very efficient format. When you convert to JPG at a high quality setting, the JPG file can be two to three times larger than the original HEIC file while looking identical. This is normal and reflects the efficiency gap between the two formats.
Can I convert a HEIC file that contains a burst of photos or a Live Photo?
A Live Photo HEIC file contains both a still image and a short video clip. Most HEIC-to-JPG converters (including this one) extract only the still image. The video portion of a Live Photo is stored separately as a .mov file.
Is it safe to use online HEIC converters?
The tools on this page run entirely in your browser — no files are uploaded to any server. For tools on other websites, check their privacy policy before uploading personal photos.