.heic is High Efficiency Image File
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| File extension | .HEIC |
| Developer | Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) |
| Format type | Image container format |
| Compression | HEVC |
| File size | Smaller than JPEG files |
| Image quality | Higher than JPEG files |
| Color depth | 16-bit |
| Transparency | Yes |
| Multiple images | Yes |
| Additional metadata | Yes |
| Support | Not as widely supported as JPEG |
What's on this Page
HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image File and is a file format for storing digital images and image sequences. It was developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and is based on the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard. HEIC files are typically much smaller than JPEG files, while maintaining the same level of image quality. This is because HEIC uses a more efficient compression algorithm.
HEIC files are supported by most modern devices and software. However, some older devices and software may not support HEIC files natively. In these cases, you may need to convert the HEIC file to a different format, such as JPEG or PNG.
Here are some of the advantages of using HEIC files:
HEIC files are the default image format on iPhones and iPads running iOS 11 or later. They are also supported by many other devices, including Android devices, Macs, and Windows PCs.
If you are using a device or software that does not support HEIC files natively, you can convert HEIC files to a different format using a variety of free and paid tools.
HEIC files are a relatively new image format, so not all devices and software support them natively. However, there are a number of ways to open HEIC files, even if your device or software does not support them.
On iPhone and iPad
HEIC files are the default image format on iPhones and iPads running iOS 11 or later, so you should be able to open them directly in the Photos app.
On Mac
HEIC files are also supported by the built-in Preview app on Macs. To open a HEIC file in Preview, simply double-click on it.
On Windows
If you are using a Windows PC, you can open HEIC files using the Microsoft Photos app. To do this, simply double-click on the HEIC file. If the Microsoft Photos app is not installed on your PC, you can download it from the Microsoft Store.
On other devices
If you are using a device that does not support HEIC files natively, you can use a third-party app to open them. There are a number of free and paid apps available for both Android and iOS devices, such as:
Android:
iOS:
If you need to convert a HEIC file to JPEG, there are a number of ways to do this.
On iPhone and iPad
To convert a HEIC file to JPEG on an iPhone or iPad, open the HEIC file in the Photos app and then tap the Share button. In the Share menu, scroll down and tap the Save Image option. This will save the HEIC file as a JPEG file.
On Mac
To convert a HEIC file to JPEG on a Mac, open the HEIC file in the Preview app. Then, click on File > Export. In the Export dialog box, select JPEG as the format and then click Save.
On Windows
To convert a HEIC file to JPEG on a Windows PC, you can use the Microsoft Photos app. To do this, open the HEIC file in the Microsoft Photos app and then click on the three dots in the top right corner. In the menu that appears, select Save as and then select JPEG as the format.
If you want to edit a HEIC file, you can use a variety of photo editing software. However, not all photo editing software supports HEIC files natively. If your photo editing software does not support HEIC files, you can convert the HEIC file to JPEG before editing it.
Here are a few photo editing software programs that support HEIC files:
Yes, you can print HEIC files. However, some printers may not support HEIC files natively. If your printer does not support HEIC files, you can convert the HEIC file to JPEG before printing it.
If you are sharing HEIC files with others, make sure that they have a device or software that supports HEIC files. If they do not, you can convert the HEIC files to JPEG before sharing them.
Here are a few ways to share HEIC files with others:
If you are sharing HEIC files with someone who does not have a device or software that supports HEIC files, you can convert the HEIC files to JPEG using the methods described above.