---
title: ".heic file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .heic file is a High Efficiency Image Container. The format an iPhone saves photos in — about half the size of a JPEG at the same quality. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/heic/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .heic files

**.heic file: High Efficiency Image Container**

The format an iPhone saves photos in — about half the size of a JPEG at the same quality.

## What opens a .heic file

- **Windows:** Photos (with HEIF Image Extensions + HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store), IrfanView (with plugins), Adobe Photoshop
- **macOS:** Preview (built in), Photos (built in), Adobe Photoshop
- **Linux:** GIMP, Loupe / Image Viewer (needs libheif), heif-convert (libheif tools)
- **In a browser:** iCloud.com Photos, CloudConvert

## What a .heic file is

HEIC is the file extension Apple uses for HEIF images encoded with HEVC, adopted as the iPhone default in iOS 11 (2017). Apple platforms handle it natively; Windows does not, because Microsoft licenses HEVC separately, so you need the free HEIF Image Extensions plus the paid HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store to view one in Photos. If you only need to send photos to someone else, iPhone Settings > Camera > Formats > "Most Compatible" makes the camera shoot JPEG instead.

## Converting it

A .heic file is commonly converted to .jpg, .png, .pdf, .tiff or .webp. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .heic
- **Full name:** High Efficiency Image Container
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** image/heic
- **Created by:** Apple / MPEG (ISO/IEC 23008-12)
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .heic file?

On Windows use Photos (with HEIF Image Extensions + HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store); on macOS use Preview (built in); on Linux use GIMP. The format an iPhone saves photos in — about half the size of a JPEG at the same quality.

### What is a .heic file?

High Efficiency Image Container. HEIC is the file extension Apple uses for HEIF images encoded with HEVC, adopted as the iPhone default in iOS 11 (2017). Apple platforms handle it natively; Windows does not, because Microsoft licenses HEVC separately, so you need the free HEIF Image Extensions plus the paid HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store to view one in Photos.

### Can I convert a .heic file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .jpg, .png, .pdf, .tiff or .webp, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.jpg — JPEG Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/jpg/)
- [.png — Portable Network Graphics](https://atoneplace.net/file/png/)
- [.jpeg — JPEG Image (four-letter form)](https://atoneplace.net/file/jpeg/)
- [.webp — WebP Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/webp/)
- [.gif — Graphics Interchange Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/gif/)
- [.psd — Adobe Photoshop Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/psd/)
- [.svg — Scalable Vector Graphics](https://atoneplace.net/file/svg/)
- [.ai — Adobe Illustrator Artwork](https://atoneplace.net/file/ai/)
- [.avif — AV1 Image File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/avif/)
- [.tiff — Tagged Image File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/tiff/)
- [.raw — Camera Raw Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/raw/)
- [.ico — Windows Icon](https://atoneplace.net/file/ico/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)