Have you ever been confused by an unfamiliar file extension like ".heic" when transferring photos taken with an iPhone to your computer? HEIC is a highly efficient image format adopted by Apple that allows you to store high-quality photos in smaller file sizes than JPEG.
However, it may not open on older computers or certain applications, leaving many people troubleshooting issues like "cannot display HEIC" or "want to convert HEIC to JPEG."
- What HEIC is
- Differences from JPEG
- Pros and cons
- Reasons why HEIC won't open
- How to convert to JPEG/PNG
What Is HEIC?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is an image format that can save high-quality images in a small file size. Since 2017, Apple has adopted HEIC as the default photo format for iPhones and iPads.
HEIC is an image container built on the "HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format)" standard, primarily using HEVC (H.265) technology for image compression. As a result, it compresses images much more efficiently than JPEG.
Features of HEIC
High Quality but Small File Size
One of HEIC's biggest advantages is its capability to significantly reduce file sizes while maintaining high image quality. Generally, it can provide the same image quality at about half the file size of a JPEG.
Adopted as Standard on iPhone
On modern iPhones, photos taken with default settings are saved in HEIC format. Therefore, Many iPhone users use HEIC without even realizing it.
Capable of Storing More Color Information
HEIC can store more color data than JPEG, resulting in more natural gradients and brightness levels. It is an image format that is well suited for photo editing and HDR photography.
Differences Between HEIC and JPEG
While both HEIC and JPEG are image formats widely used for saving photographs, they differ in compression methods, image quality, and device compatibility. HEIC is a newer image format that delivers both high quality and storage efficiency, whereas JPEG's great strength lies in its universal device compatibility.
① File Size
Because HEIC utilizes the latest compression technologies, it can achieve smaller file sizes than JPEG when compared at the same image quality. It is adopted as the standard format on iPhones to help users save storage space on their smartphones.
② Image Quality
HEIC easily maintains image quality even at high compression rates, smoothly preserving gradients and subtle color shifts. Conversely, JPEG can exhibit noticeable noise or blocky artifacts when compression rates are turned up high.
③ Device Compatibility
JPEG can be used on almost all computers, smartphones, browsers, and image editing software. On the other hand, because HEIC is a relatively new format, it may not open on older Windows or Android devices, or inside certain software.
④ Ease of Editing
JPEG is supported by almost all image editing tools. While supported software for HEIC is growing, depending on your environment, you may still need to convert it to JPEG before editing.
⑤ Website Compatibility
Even today, JPEG and WebP remain the mainstream formats for most websites. Since HEIC support varies across web browsers, it is not very suitable for websites as-is.
Pros and Cons of HEIC
Pros
- Uses less storage space than JPEG
- Easy to maintain high image quality
- Excellent color reproduction
- Adopted as the standard on iPhone and iPad
- Works well with features like Live Photos and HDR
Cons
- May not open on older computers
- Unsupported by some software applications
- Not ideal for direct use on websites
- May require conversion to JPEG when sharing with others
Reasons Why HEIC Won't Open
Since HEIC is a relatively new image format, older operating systems and applications may not support it. Particularly on older Windows PCs, you may need to install an extension to view HEIC images.
Additionally, because some web services and image editing software do not support HEIC, it is quite common to convert them to JPEG or PNG before use.
How to Open HEIC on Windows
- Windows 11 may support it natively by default.
- Windows 10 may open it if you install the "HEIF Image Extensions" from the store.
- If it remains unsupported, converting it to JPEG is the easiest solution.
Can You Open HEIC on Android?
An increasing number of recent Android devices natively support HEIC. However, older Android models or specific apps might fail to display it. If you don't know the device environment of the person you are sharing photos with, it is safest to convert them to JPEG before sending.
Comparison Table: HEIC vs JPEG
| Item | HEIC | JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| Image Quality | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| File Size | Extremely Small | Small |
| Compression Efficiency | ◎ | ○ |
| Compatible Devices | △ | ◎ |
| Editing Software Support | △ | ◎ |
| Website Usage | △ | ◎ |
| iPhone Support | ◎ | ○ |
| Ease of Sharing | △ | ◎ |
Which One to Choose When in Doubt?
The optimal image format depends on your specific use case. Use the guidelines below to help make your selection:
| Use Case | Recommended | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Saving photos on an iPhone | HEIC | Provides high image quality while saving storage space |
| Sending to family or friends | JPEG | Ensures it can be opened easily on any device |
| Posting on a website | JPEG・WebP | Offers high compatibility with web browsers |
| Printing photos | JPEG | Supported by a vast majority of printing services |
| Maximizing storage savings | HEIC | Compresses data more efficiently than JPEG |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I convert HEIC to JPEG?
If your purpose is sharing or use on the web, converting to JPEG is much more convenient. Especially when you don't know the recipient's environment or when dealing with older devices, JPEG will reliably open.
Is HEIC superior in image quality?
HEIC is characterized by its ability to save photos with equal or greater quality than JPEG at a smaller file size. Therefore, it can be described as a format that stores images efficiently without sacrificing quality.
Can I use HEIC on the web as-is?
Basically, it is not recommended. Because it may not display depending on the browser and user environment, JPEG and WebP remain the standards on the web.
Does converting HEIC to JPEG degrade the image quality?
While the native quality of HEIC is high, minor compression occurs during the conversion to JPEG, so a slight degradation is possible. However, it is at a level that is barely noticeable for regular use.
Summary
HEIC is a modern image format that achieves "high quality + storage savings," and functions as the standard format particularly for iPhone users.
- Choose HEIC if you want to save storage space
- Choose JPEG if you prioritize compatibility
- JPEG or WebP is a safer choice for web use
- JPEG is standard if you share files frequently
By selectively using HEIC and JPEG depending on your purpose, you can balance storage conservation with cross-platform compatibility.
Related Tools
HaruTools Lab offers free tools to easily convert HEIC images.
- Convert Image to JPG : Convert PNG, WebP, AVIF, BMP, etc., to JPG
- Convert Image to PNG : Convert JPG, WebP, AVIF, BMP, etc., to PNG
- Convert Image to WebP : Speed up your site with next-gen format
- Convert Image to AVIF : Achieve high compression and quality with next-gen image format