What Is HEIC?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's default photo format since iOS 11 (2017). It uses the HEVC (H.265) codec, achieving approximately twice the compression of JPEG at equivalent visual quality: a 4 MB JPEG becomes ~2 MB HEIC with the same perceptible quality.
HEIC vs JPEG
| Feature | HEIC | JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| File size (same quality) | ~50% smaller | Baseline |
| Color depth | Up to 16-bit HDR | 8-bit |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| Windows native support | Requires codec | Universal |
| Browser support | Safari only | Universal |
How to Open HEIC Files on Windows
- Convert to JPEG using our HEIC to JPG converter (free, no installation).
- Install "HEIF Image Extensions" from the Microsoft Store.
- Use VLC or GIMP (both open HEIC on Windows).
Preventing HEIC on iPhone
Settings → Camera → Formats → "Most Compatible" saves new photos as JPEG.