.HEIC File

.heic is High Efficiency Image Format

Key Features: .HEIC File Extension

Features	Description
File Extension	.heic
Format	Binary
Created by	Moving Picture Experts Group
Category	Raster Image

What's on this Page

How to open:
How to convert:

What is an .HEIC file?

File extension heic is related to the High Efficiency Image File Format, a picture image file format based on HEVC (High Efficiency Video Compression - H.265), developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) in 2013.

The heic file contains:

Image Items
Image Derivations
Image Sequences
Auxiliary Image Items
Image Metadata

The HEIC images requires less storage space than JPG images without quality loss.

HEIC (also known as HEIF) format is supported by iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra operating systems.

By default, iOS 11 uses HEIC format as a default format to store digital photos. However users can change HEIC format back to JPG by:

Settings → Camera → Formats and select Most Compatible option

heic MIME types:
image/heic
image/heic-sequence

Files with heic extension are high quality images in High Efficiency Image File Format, a picture image format, developed by Moving Picture Experts Group.

How to open:

Use compatible tools to view content of .heic files.

How to convert:

The .heic files can be exported to other picture image file formats.

High Efficiency Image Format - File openers

Windows

File Viewer Plus
Adobe Photoshop CC 2019
Dropbox
CopyTrans HEIC for Windows
iMazing HEIC Converter
Apowersoft Photo Viewer
TunesBro HEIC Converter

Mac

Apple Preview
Apple Photos
Adobe Photoshop CC 2019
Dropbox
iMazing HEIC Converter
TunesBro HEIC Converter

Linux

Dropbox

iOS

Apple iOS
Dropbox
Google Drive
Google Photos

Android

Dropbox
Simple Soft Alliance Luma: HEIF Viewer and Converter

Windows Phone

Dropbox

Web

Dropbox
Google Photos
Google Drive

How to solve problems with HEIC files

Associate the HEIC file extension with the correct application. On :
Windows: Right click on any HEIC file and then click "Open with" > "Choose another app". Now select another program and check the box "Always use this app to open *.HEIC files". Mac: Right click (or Ctrl-click) the HEIC file, then click "Open with" > "Other...". Then choose another program and check the "Always Open With" box. Linux: Right click on the file, and select "Open with" and choose another program. iPhone: Tap the file. If you do not see an app to open the file, then tap Share "Share" and choose an app. Alternatively, save the file. Then open the Files app Files app. There long-press on the file, then release your finger. You will see a black menu bar. Then tap "Share" and select an app. Android: Tap the Settings icon on your smartphone, then tap on the Apps section. There tap the Options icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen to change the default apps.
Update your software that should actually open .HEIC is High Efficiency Image Format. Because only the current version supports the latest HEIC file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Moving Picture Experts Group manufacturer website after an available .HEIC is High Efficiency Image Format update.
To make sure that your HEIC file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with antivirus software.