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HEIC file format.

Since the release of iOS11 and macOS High Sierra in 2017, HEIC files have become the standard image format for Apple users across the globe. Find out how to edit and convert your HEIC images and discover how this image file compares to similar formats.

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What is a HEIC file?

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. The HEIC file format is an updated variant of the High Efficiency Image Format (HEIF), traditionally used by Apple across its mobile devices.

When you take a photo on your iOS device like an iPhone or iPad, the image - or images, in the case of dual cameras and live photos - is saved as an HEIC file type.

Apple uses the HEIC format for HEIF images, which helps save storage without compromising image quality. HEIC files store photos in higher resolution and smaller sizes, offering an efficient balance between image quality and file compression. This space-saving file format uses High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) to compress and store images on device drives — taking up half the space of other image file formats, like JPEGs.

Each HEIC file uses the .heic or .heics file extension, depending on the number of images inside. The file also contains the relevant metadata describing each image’s size, resolution, location and more.

The HEIC file format is widely recognised as the default photo format within the Apple ecosystem and is supported by professional editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, allowing users to open and edit HEIC files seamlessly.

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History of the HEIC file.

While HEIC has grown in popularity due to being Apple’s standard file format, the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) originally developed the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) and High Efficiency Image Format (HEIF) technologies that underpin it.

Apple previously adopted MPEG’s Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) standard for iTunes and newer iPhones started using the HEVC/H.265 video format in the mid-2010s. So it was the natural next step for Apple operating systems to move to HEIC files in 2017 as part of the iOS11 and macOS High Sierra updates.

In switching from JPEG to HEIC, Apple improved their space-saving capabilities and kept up with the increasing quality of their iPhone cameras. This transition also encouraged other manufacturers and photographers to explore the benefits of high-efficiency formats in different types of photography. Today, companies such as Microsoft and Canon have also embraced the HEIF and HEIC formats for select devices and software.

What are HEIC files used for?

With their high-quality images and space-saving capabilities, HEIC files are versatile across different types of photography and picture formats. They’re a great option for many personal and professional uses, from creative photoshoots to digital design projects.

Photoshoots.

Whether you’re an online influencer or professional photographer, the HEIC file format give you the flexibility to store many photos in impressive resolution - all on one device. This makes it ideal for genres of photography such as portrait, product, or travel imagery, where image quality and storage efficiency both matter.

Capture the action.

Make the most of your ability to store multiple images in one HEIC file with live photos or the burst mode functionality. With a single click, you can capture multiple high-quality action shots of a moving subject, perfect for sports, wildlife, or event photography.

Creating an animation.

You can also convert HEIC files into GIFs to make moving animations from your stored sequence of images, helping creators develop dynamic visual content for social media or digital art.

Because HEIC files are smaller in size while maintaining high quality, they’re ideal for storing and sharing images through cloud platforms such as Adobe Creative Cloud or mobile photo libraries. This makes it easier for photographers and designers to sync, back up, and access their HEIC images across multiple devices.

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Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of HEIC files.

The HEIC file format has its benefits — but also a few downsides. Whether you’re working with different types of pictures or large photography projects, understanding both sides of the format helps you decide when to use it.

These are the main advantages and disadvantages of HEIC files:

Advantages of HEIC files.

HEIC files are half the size of JPEGs and can hold multiple images in one file. That means less storage taken up with photos on your device or in the cloud.
Despite being smaller than other image file types, HEIC files still offer the same high-quality images — plus the ability to support 16-bit colour for more flexible editing.
From time and location to height and width in pixels, your HEIC files retain important data about your images. HEICs even store your image edits so you can revert to the original at a later stage.
HEIC files are fully supported in Adobe Photoshop, allowing creators to open, edit, and convert them directly using Creative Cloud workflows. This integration makes it easier for photographers to enhance HEIC images, apply creative effects, and export them into other image formats when needed.

Disadvantages of HEIC files.

HEIC haven’t gained widespread usage, especially outside of the Apple ecosystem.
Another potential drawback of using HEIC files is that many platforms haven’t made HEIC files compatible with their software. This could cause issues with practicality since photographers may struggle to edit or upload their images in their original form.
In some cases, converting HEIC to other formats can lead to slight quality loss, so users should ensure they maintain backups of the original files.

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How to open a HEIC file.

If you’ve captured or received an image in the HEIC format, you can open it easily on most modern devices. This section explains how to open HEIC files on Apple, Windows, and Android, so you can view your images clearly across platforms.

How to open a HEIC file on Apple devices.

• HEIC files open automatically on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

• To view one, just double-click the file or select Open with Preview. You can also access your HEIC images in the Photos app or via iCloud.

• If your files are synced with Adobe Creative Cloud, you can view them from any connected device without conversion.

How to open a HEIC file in Windows.

• To open HEIC files on Windows 10 or Windows 11, first ensure your system is updated. Then, download the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store.

• If your HEIC files contain live or motion elements, install the HEVC Video Extensions as well. Once installed, you can double-click the HEIC file to open it in the Photos app.

• For users working across platforms, Creative Cloud ensures HEIC images can be viewed consistently without format issues.

How to open a HEIC file in Android.

• Most Android devices now natively support the HEIC file type.

• If you’re using an older version of Android, install the Google Photos app or a third-party HEIC viewer from the Play Store. These allow quick access to HEIC images without conversion.

• Alternatively, upload your HEIC photos to Adobe Creative Cloud for easy viewing on any device.

How to edit a HEIC file in Photoshop.

You can edit HEIC files easily in Adobe Photoshop, part of Creative Cloud. Once opened, Photoshop allows you to adjust colour, tone, and lighting, apply filters, or convert your images into other formats while preserving detail.

Here’s how to start editing your HEIC file format images on different operating systems.

How to edit a HEIC file in Photoshop on macOS.

To start editing a HEIC image in Photoshop for Mac, follow these steps:

1. Open Photoshop, then go to Edit > Preferences > Camera Raw.

2. Click the File Handling tab.

3. In the JPEG and TIFF Handling box, select Automatically open JPEGs and HEICs with settings or Automatically open all supported JPEGs and HEICs.

4. Your HEIC images will now open directly in Photoshop, ready for editing and enhancement.

Once opened, you can use tools such as the Crop Tool or Adjustment Layers to refine your photo.

How to edit a HEIC file in Photoshop on Windows.

If you’re using Photoshop on Windows, first ensure the correct support tools are installed:

1. Download the HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions from the Microsoft Store.

2. Restart Photoshop once installed.

3. Open or drag your HEIC file into Photoshop.

4. Begin editing using familiar tools such as the Spot Healing Brush Tool, Clone Stamp Tool, or colour adjustments.

After editing, select File > Save As to export your image in your preferred format, including JPEG or PNG.

HEIC files: frequently asked questions.

What is a HEIC file and how do I open it?

An HEIC file is a space-saving image format that uses High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) to compress and store images across your devices. Because Apple regularly uses HEIC files, you can easily open them on your Mac with Preview or Photoshop. If you are a Windows 10 or later user, you’ll need to install the HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions support tools from the Microsoft Store.

Is HEIF and HEIC the same?

HEIC files are a variant of the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) that store images on the latest Apple devices. HEIC specifically uses High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) to compress its images, whereas HEIF can use a variety of compression methods.

How do I convert HEIC files to JPEG?

You can easily use Adobe Photoshop to convert your HEIC files to JPEGs. Just import your HEIC images into Photoshop, then go to Save As and choose the Save as JPEG option.

How to convert HEIC to PDF?

You can easily convert a HEIC file to PDF using Adobe Acrobat. Learn more in the “How to convert HEIC to PDF in Adobe Acrobat” guide.

Why are iPhone photos HEIC?

Apple uses HEIC images across iPhones and iPads that run on iOS 11 or later. This ensures that users can make the most of the high-quality 4K cameras on the devices, plus the live photo and burst mode functions. The smaller sized files leave you with plenty of storage on your device.

Which is better - HEIC or JPEG?

HEIC and JPEG both have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages, depending on what you’re using them for. HEIC files tend to take up the half the space of JPEG files and still produce the same — if not better — quality images. However, HEIC is limited to certain platforms and software due to its lack of compatibility. In these instances, you'd need to convert them to JPEGs.