What is a .HEIC file? (How to open & convert)
Learn what .HEIC is, how to open it, and use an embedded local-only tool for common tasks.
Overview
.HEIC HEIC is a photo format commonly used by Apple devices. It’s efficient (smaller files for similar quality), but Windows may not open it by default unless the right codecs are installed.
Basic info
- Full name: High Efficiency Image Container
- Developer: Apple ecosystem (HEIF standard)
- Category: Image
How to open a .HEIC file
On macOS: Preview/Photos usually open HEIC natively.
On Windows: Windows may require HEIF/HEVC codecs. If your browser/OS can decode HEIC, the embedded converter below can convert it locally.
On mobile: iOS/iPadOS support is built-in; Android support varies by device.
Try a related tool
Use a local-only tool (no uploads) for common tasks.
Related extensions
Browse similar formats in the Wiki.
Technical characteristics
- Efficient modern compression (often HEVC-based image coding inside HEIF)
- Good size/quality tradeoff compared to JPG
- Can store EXIF and metadata
Common scenarios
- iPhone photos shared to Windows PCs
- Email attachments where JPG is more compatible
- Photo archiving with smaller file sizes
Security notes
Images are generally safe to view, but only open files you trust and keep your OS/browser updated.