What Is the HEIC Format?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default photo format on iPhones and iPads since iOS 11. It stores images using the HEIF standard and HEVC compression, packing roughly twice the quality into about half the file size of a JPEG.
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Supports .heic and .heif files
🔒 🔒 100% local processing — files never leave your device
Why Apple Switched to HEIC
HEIC shrinks file sizes without visible quality loss, so your iPhone can store more photos. It also supports modern features JPEG can’t: transparency, 16-bit color, and embedded Live Photo or depth data.
HEIC vs JPEG: The Key Differences
JPEG is smaller in compatibility but larger in file size; HEIC is the opposite. A HEIC photo is typically 40–50% smaller than an equivalent JPEG, yet holds more detail. The trade-off is that HEIC needs a compatible decoder, which most non-Apple devices lack by default.
Where You’ll Encounter HEIC Files
Any photo shot on an iPhone or iPad (unless you changed the camera format), images exported from macOS Photos, or pictures shared via AirDrop and iCloud are usually HEIC. Windows PCs and most Android phones can’t open them without help.
How to Convert HEIC to a Compatible Format
The easiest fix is to convert. Use the free converter above to turn HEIC into PNG, JPG, or WebP — entirely in your browser, with no upload and no software to install. Your files never leave your device.
HEIC is excellent on Apple devices but limited elsewhere. Converting to PNG or JPG is the simplest way to make your photos usable everywhere.