HEIC, explained
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the photo format Apple devices use by default. It’s a container based on the HEIF standard (High Efficiency Image File Format) that stores images compressed with the HEVC codec (also known as H.265). In plain terms: it keeps roughly the same quality as a JPG while taking up about half the space.
Quick facts
| Full name | High Efficiency Image Container |
|---|---|
| Extension | .heic (sometimes .heif) |
| Introduced | Apple, iOS 11 (2017) |
| Based on | HEIF container + HEVC/H.265 codec |
| Color depth | Up to 10-bit, wide gamut, HDR |
| Main benefit | ~50% smaller than JPG at similar quality |
| Main drawback | Limited compatibility outside Apple devices |
Why Apple uses it
Modern iPhones take enormous photos, and storage fills up fast. HEIC lets Apple cut file sizes dramatically without a visible quality drop, while also supporting modern features like 10-bit color, HDR, depth maps and image sequences (Live Photos). It’s a genuinely better format than JPG on a technical level.
The compatibility problem
HEVC is patent-encumbered, which is why support outside Apple is patchy. Windows needs paid
extensions to open HEIC, many Android phones and apps don’t support it, and plenty of websites
reject .heic uploads. That’s why most people end up needing to convert HEIC to a
more universal format.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Much smaller files than JPG | Poor support on Windows/Android/web |
| Higher color depth & HDR | Patent-encumbered (HEVC) |
| Stores Live Photos & depth data | Harder to edit in older software |
How to open or convert HEIC
The simplest fix is to convert HEIC to a format that opens everywhere. SnapHEIC does this privately in your browser:
- HEIC → JPG — Turn iPhone HEIC photos into universally compatible JPG images.
- HEIC → PNG — Lossless PNG output — great when you need maximum quality or transparency support.
- HEIC → PDF — Combine one or many HEIC photos into a single PDF, entirely in your browser.
- HEIC → WebP — Modern WebP output for small, fast-loading web images.
- HEIC Viewer — Open and preview HEIC photos instantly — no conversion or download required.
To stop new photos being saved as HEIC, see how to make your iPhone shoot JPG.