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To open a HEIC photo, use a supported Apple device or Mac, or add the required image support on Windows. To make a copy that works in more places, export or convert it to JPEG. You can also keep the original HEIC and convert only when you need to share or import it.
What HEIC means—and what it does not
HEIF is the image format family Apple refers to for photos; HEIC is a common filename extension for HEIF images. HEVC, also called H.265, is a video format discussed separately from HEIF photos. The terms are related in Apple’s compatibility guidance, but HEIC is not simply another name for HEVC. Apple’s guide to HEIF and HEVC distinguishes photos from video.
Apple says HEIF and HEVC offer better compression than JPEG and H.264, using less storage on devices and in iCloud Photos while preserving the same visual quality. That is Apple’s description of its formats; converting an image to JPEG creates a different file, so keep the original if you want to retain it unchanged.
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HEIF and HEVC support is built into iOS 11 and later, iPadOS, visionOS, and macOS High Sierra 10.13 and later, according to Apple Support. A particular app still needs to support the file. If a HEIC image will not open, update the operating system and app, then try opening it in Photos or Preview on Mac.
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Open a HEIC file on Windows
If the Windows Photos app reports that an extension is needed, Microsoft’s guidance is to install both HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions, even when you are trying to open a photo. Microsoft’s support page lists HEIF Image Extensions as free and HEVC Video Extensions at $0.99; those are page-listed prices, not a guarantee of the current Microsoft Store price or availability. Check the Store listing before installing. See Microsoft’s HEIF and HEVC extension guidance.
Installing local support lets compatible Windows apps decode the files on the PC. If you only need to view a file in a browser, OneDrive’s website can preview HEIF/HEVC files without that being the same as adding local Windows support. Microsoft notes that iOS uploads to OneDrive remain in their original HEIF format, and a Windows download may still require a codec or compatible app to open locally. Microsoft’s OneDrive guidance explains the distinction.
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Convert HEIC to JPEG or PNG on a Mac
On Mac, Preview and Photos can export a HEIC image as a copy in another format, such as JPEG or PNG. In Preview, open the image and choose File > Export, then select the desired format in the export options. The HEIC original remains available unless you replace or delete it yourself.
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Preview can also convert multiple selected images from one window. Select the images, use File > Export Selected Images where available, and choose the output format. Apple’s Preview guide covers supported file formats and conversion; its export instructions describe saving images in another format.
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Choose a workflow that fits the job
| Situation | Workflow | What happens to the HEIC original? |
|---|---|---|
| View on a supported Apple device or Mac | Open with a compatible app such as Photos or Preview | It remains HEIC unless you export or otherwise change it. |
| View locally on Windows | Install the HEIF and HEVC extensions if Windows requests them | Opening does not by itself require converting the file. |
| View in a browser | Use OneDrive web preview | OneDrive can preview the uploaded HEIF/HEVC file; a downloaded copy may still need local support. |
| Send a more compatible copy | Export a JPEG or PNG copy on Mac, or use a sharing method that converts for an unsupported recipient | Keep the HEIC separately if you want the original. |
| Import from iPhone or iPad and preserve the source format | Select Keep Originals for the import | The HEIF/HEVC original is retained during import. |
Keep originals when sharing or importing
The file’s format can depend on how you transfer it. iCloud Photos preserves the original format, resolution, and frame rate. When sharing by AirDrop, Messages, or email with a device that lacks support, Apple says the media may be shared automatically in a more compatible format. Importing from a connected iPhone or iPad into Photos, Image Capture, or a PC may also convert media to JPEG or H.264. To retain HEIF/HEVC during import, choose Keep Originals. Apple details these behaviors in its HEIF/HEVC compatibility guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Set future iPhone or iPad captures to JPEG
On supported models, open Settings > Camera > Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos are then saved as JPEG and video as H.264, rather than using the high-efficiency formats. The setting may not appear on every device. This affects new captures; it does not convert photos already saved as HEIC. See Apple’s format guidance for details.
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Why a HEIC photo may not open
- The app or OS lacks support: Update it or open the photo in a compatible app. Apple lists built-in support by OS generation, but individual apps may differ.
- Windows asks for an extension: Follow the Microsoft Store route for the HEIF and HEVC extensions; check the current listing before purchase or installation.
- You downloaded from OneDrive: Browser preview does not guarantee that a local Windows app can decode the file.
- The file changed during transfer: Some sharing and import workflows convert media for compatibility. Check the destination file extension, and use Keep Originals when retaining the source format matters.
Android and third-party apps
Support can vary by Android device, operating-system version, and app. The platform-specific behavior is not established here, so check the device maker’s documentation or the app’s supported-format information rather than assuming every Android phone opens HEIC files the same way. The same caution applies to third-party converters: verify their current format support and privacy practices before using them.
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