What is HEIC?
Understanding the photo format used by iPhones
HEIC is the photo file extension most commonly used by iPhones. It usually means the image is stored using HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format)—a modern, standardized image container format (ISO/IEC 23008-12) designed to store a single image, collections, or sequences, along with metadata.
In simple terms:
- HEIF = the format/container
- HEIC = a common filename extension for HEIF photos (often used on iPhone)
Apple also defines HEIF as a recognized media/file type across its platforms and frameworks.
Why does iPhone use HEIC?
Starting with iOS 11, Apple adopted HEIF (for photos) and HEVC (for video) as "High Efficiency" media formats. The biggest reason: better compression than older formats like JPEG, so you get similar visual quality at smaller file sizes.
That saves storage on your iPhone and can also reduce iCloud Photos storage usage.
Need JPEG instead?
HEIC is great for efficiency, but not every app, device, or website accepts it. If you need broader compatibility, you can:
- Switch iPhone camera capture to "Most Compatible" (JPEG) in Settings
- Convert HEIC to JPG when sharing or uploading
Need to convert HEIC files right now?
Convert HEIC to JPGRuns locally in your browser — no uploads required