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HEIC

High Efficiency Image Container

HEIC is a modern image format developed by Apple, used in iOS and macOS since 2017. Based on HEVC (H.265) codec, it provides 50% better compression than JPEG while maintaining high quality. Supports 16-bit color and transparency.

Technical Specifications

Extensions:
.heic, .heif, .hif
MIME Type:
image/heic, image/heif
Compression:
Lossy (HEVC/H.265)
Transparency:
Supported
Animation:
Supported
Year Created:
2017

Advantages

  • ✓ Excellent compression (50% smaller than JPEG)
  • ✓ High image quality
  • ✓ HDR and wide color gamut support
  • ✓ Transparency support
  • ✓ 16-bit color depth

Disadvantages

  • ✗ Limited browser support
  • ✗ Compatibility issues on Windows/Android
  • ✗ Not supported by many web services
  • ✗ Requires conversion for web use

When to Use

  • iPhone/iPad photography
  • When storage space is limited
  • HDR photography
  • Within Apple ecosystem

When Not to Use

  • Websites and web applications
  • Sharing with non-Apple users
  • When universal compatibility is needed
  • Professional printing

Convert HEIC Images

Use our free online converter to convert HEIC to JPEG or PNG

Go to Converter