.HEIC

High Efficiency Image Container

Learn about .heic files - High Efficiency Image Container. Find software to open, compatibility information, and alternatives.

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.HEIC
High Efficiency Image Container

What is a .heic file?

File Extension Details

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is a modern image file format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). It's a container format that typically holds images encoded using HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), also known as H.265. This encoding allows for significantly smaller file sizes compared to JPEG, often achieving similar image quality with roughly half the storage space. HEIC can also store image sequences, audio, and metadata, making it a versatile format. Apple adopted HEIC as the default image format for iPhones and iPads starting with iOS 11, contributing to its widespread use. While HEIC offers superior compression, compatibility issues can arise as not all operating systems and software natively support it. Converting HEIC files to more universally supported formats like JPEG or PNG is often necessary for sharing or editing on different platforms. The format's ability to store multiple images in a single file makes it suitable for Live Photos and burst photos, where a short sequence of images is captured.

Software Compatibility

Programs that can open and work with .heic files

Windows

Compatible Applications

Microsoft Photos (with HEIF Image Extensions) Compatible
CopyTrans HEIC for Windows Compatible
IrfanView (with plugins) Compatible
XnView MP Compatible
Adobe Photoshop (with plugins) Compatible

macOS

Compatible Applications

Apple Photos Compatible
Preview Compatible
IrfanView (via Wine) Compatible
XnView MP Compatible
Adobe Photoshop Compatible

Linux

Compatible Applications

GIMP (with plugins) Compatible
ImageMagick Compatible
XnView MP Compatible
gThumb Compatible

Mobile

Mobile Applications

Apple Photos (iOS) Compatible
Google Photos (Android) Compatible
Luma: HEIC to JPG Converter (iOS/Android) Compatible
HEIC Converter (Android) Compatible

Frequently Asked Questions

About .heic files

To open a .heic file, you need compatible software. Here are some options:

  • Microsoft Photos (with HEIF Image Extensions)
  • CopyTrans HEIC for Windows
  • Apple Photos
  • GIMP (with plugins)
  • Apple Photos (iOS)

To convert a .heic file to another format, you can:

  1. Use compatible software Many programs that open .heic files also allow you to save or export them to different formats.
  2. Try online conversion services: Websites like Zamzar, CloudConvert, or Online-Convert allow you to convert files between different formats without installing software.
  3. Specialized conversion tools: Search for '.heic converter' to find tools specifically designed for this file type.

  1. Verify the file extension is correct:
  2. Update your software:
  3. Try alternative software:
  4. Check for file corruption:

Like any file type, .heic files can be safe or potentially risky depending on their source:

  • Always scan files with antivirus software before opening
  • Keep your operating system and applications updated.
  • Be especially cautious with executable file types

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