HEIC
Efficient HEIF+HEVC container used by iPhones for high-quality, small photo files.
Compression tools
Format details
What is HEIC?
HEIC is Apple's default photo file, a HEIF container that stores images compressed with the HEVC codec. It typically produces files about half the size of a comparable JPG at similar quality and supports features like depth data, live photos, and 10-bit color. Support outside Apple devices has improved but is still not universal on the web.
Specifications
- Typical file size
- iPhone photos: 1-3 MB, often about half the size of an equivalent JPG. Bursts and multi-image HEICs can be larger.
- Quality
- Very good compression efficiency at high visual quality, with cleaner gradients than JPG at similar file sizes.
- Transparency support
- Yes — HEIF supports alpha, though most iPhone-captured HEIC photos are opaque.
- Animation support
- Yes — HEIF can hold image sequences (Live Photos, bursts), but general animation support outside Apple is limited.
- Compression type
- Lossy (HEVC/H.265), lossless HEIF variants exist but are uncommon
- Browser support
- Limited: Safari on Apple platforms supports HEIC; Chrome, Firefox, and Edge generally do not decode it natively.
- Compatibility
- First-class on modern iOS and macOS. Windows and Android often need extensions or apps. Many upload forms and older editors still reject HEIC.
Advantages
- Roughly half the size of JPG at similar quality
- 10-bit color and wide gamut support
- Can store depth maps and multi-image bursts
- Efficient offloading of iPhone photo libraries
Disadvantages
- Limited support on non-Apple platforms and older software
- Many websites and forms reject HEIC uploads
- HEVC licensing complicates broad tooling
- Editing outside Apple apps can be awkward
Common uses
- iPhone and iPad photo capture
- Apple Photos library storage
- Backup and archiving where storage matters
- Sharing between Apple devices
- Depth-aware portrait photos
Common conversions
- Convert HEIC to JPG or PNG on your device before using Konvert image tools
- Then use JPG to PNG, Compress Image, or JPG to PDF as needed
Compression tips
- HEIC is already efficient; further shrinking usually means converting to JPG or WebP at a chosen quality
- For web publishing, convert to JPG or WebP so every visitor can view the image
- Resize to the actually needed dimensions before or during conversion
- For archival, keep the original HEIC and export shared copies as needed
- Keep the original HEIC for your library; export JPG or PNG copies when a website or form rejects HEIC.
Frequently asked questions
HEIC support is not universal outside Apple. Install a HEIF/HEVC extension, use a viewer that supports it, or convert the file to JPG or PNG before sharing.
Yes, because both are lossy. In practice a high-quality JPG export from HEIC looks nearly identical for typical photos, just with a larger file.
Only if you regularly share to platforms or people who cannot open HEIC. Otherwise, keep HEIC for storage savings and convert on export.
Not yet. Konvert does not currently offer a direct HEIC converter in the browser. Export or convert the photo to JPG or PNG on your device first, then use a Konvert image tool if you need another format or a smaller file.