HEIC files: frequently asked questions.
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is an image file format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and adopted by Apple as the default format for photos taken on iPhones and iPads running iOS 11 and later.
- HEIC files use High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) to compress images, allowing them to take up about half the storage space of equivalent quality JPEG files.
- HEIC supports storing multiple images in a single file, such as for Live Photos and burst mode shots.
- HEIC files can contain additional metadata like location, camera settings, and more.
- The file extensions used are .heic for single images and .heics for image sequences.
Advantages of HEIC: HEIC is Apple's space-saving image format that produces high-quality photos while taking up less storage on iOS devices.
- Smaller file sizes while maintaining image quality
- Ability to store multiple images in one file for Live Photos and burst mode
- Improved storage efficiency on iOS devices.
Disadvantages of HEIC:
- Limited compatibility outside of Apple's ecosystem. HEIC is not natively supported on Windows, Android, or most web browsers.
- Requires additional software or codecs to open and view on non-Apple devices.
HEIC files are the default format for images across your Apple devices, so it should be easy to open them on your Mac. Just right-click on the file and select Open with Preview – the file should then launch in the Preview program. Alternatively, you can import the files to your Photos app or upload them to Dropbox.
To open an HEIC file in Windows, you will need to update to version 18.09 of Windows 10 or later. You can then install the HEIF Image Extensions support tool from the Microsoft Store. To ensure your HEIC files retain their video functionality, you will also need to purchase the HEVC Video Extensions tool. Once these are all installed, you should be able to double-click on an .heic file, and it will open in the default Photos app.
No need to consider Mac or Windows; the most convenient method is to use the HEIC viewer at heicx.com to open HEIC files.
It is very safe to use this online HEIC viewer tool. Upload HEIC files to this HEIC viewer. The data is stored locally in your browser and is not uploaded to the server. It will be automatically deleted after 2 hours.