What is a HEIC file?
HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It's the default photo format on modern iPhones (since iOS 11, 2017). Think of it as a smarter successor to JPEG: similar quality at much smaller file sizes. That means more photos on your device and less iCloud storage usage, without a visible drop in quality for most shots.
Why photos aren't huge (and how HEIC helps)
A 12MP image (4032×3024) contains just over 12 million pixels. Each pixel stores three values: red, green, and blue. An uncompressed image would be roughly 36 MB.
- JPEG shrinks that by estimating color information across neighboring pixels (lossy compression).
- HEIC does the same job more efficiently, delivering similar quality at smaller sizes.
- Uncompressed TIFF: ~36MB
- JPEG (high quality): ~5.4MB
- HEIC (same quality setting): ~3.4MB
When you zoom into fine details, differences are hard to spot, yet the file is smaller. That is the HEIC advantage.
HEIC vs. JPEG at a glance
| Feature | HEIC | JPEG |
|---|---|---|
| Typical size (same quality) | Smaller | Larger |
| Quality | Comparable at smaller sizes | Good, but needs bigger files |
| Compatibility | Best on Apple devices; mixed elsewhere | Universal |
| Default on iPhone (since iOS 11) | Yes | No |
| Ideal for | Saving space without visible loss | Sharing to any device/service |
"But can everyone open my photos?"
Usually yes, because iOS and macOS auto-convert for sharing.
- When you Mail, Message, or drag a photo out of Photos to the Desktop, your device often exports a JPEG automatically so the recipient can open it.
- Sharing via iCloud Photos links also serves a compatible image in the browser.
Where issues can appear:
- Older Windows systems or some non-Apple apps may not open HEIC natively. If you often send photos to those environments, consider sharing as JPEG, or change the capture format (see next section).
Change your iPhone's capture format (if you want)
Prefer universal compatibility over storage savings? On iPhone: Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible (JPEG)
- High Efficiency = HEIC (smaller files, modern default)
- Most Compatible = JPEG (larger files, widest support)
Remember: switching to JPEG uses more space on your device and iCloud.
What about video? (HEVC explained)
HEIC's image cousin for video is HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding). Many iPhones save video inside a .mov container using HEVC to reduce size while maintaining quality.
- When exporting from Photos or QuickTime Player, you can choose H.264 (more compatible) or HEVC (more efficient).
Should you convert old JPEGs to HEIC?
No. Those older photos are already compressed. Converting JPEG → HEIC means re-compressing a compressed image, which can degrade quality, like making a copy of a copy. Keep your old photos as JPEGs. Use HEIC to save space on new photos.
When HEIC is ideal vs. when JPEG is better
Use HEIC when:
- You shoot mostly on iPhone and view/edit on Apple devices.
- You want maximum storage efficiency with no visible quality loss.
- You share via iOS/macOS (auto-conversion covers compatibility).
Use JPEG when:
- You frequently send photos to mixed/legacy systems.
- You upload to tools or workflows that require JPEG.
- You need the widest compatibility with zero conversions.
Pro tips for a smooth HEIC workflow
- Export on demand: In Photos (Mac), use File → Export → Export [#] Photos and choose JPEG when needed.
- Batching: Select multiple images and export once. This is useful for large shares.
- Archiving: Keep originals (HEIC) in Photos. Export JPEG copies only for sharing with non-Apple users.
- Editing: Most modern editors on macOS handle HEIC. If a plugin or app fails, export a JPEG or TIFF just for that edit.
FAQs
Q: Will converting HEIC → JPEG ruin quality?
A: Any lossy export discards some data, but at high quality settings the difference is usually minimal for viewing or sharing.
Q: Can I make HEIC the default on Mac cameras/apps?
A: For iPhone camera, yes (High Efficiency). On Mac, it depends on the app; many let you export as HEIC even if capture is another format.
Q: Do Live Photos use HEIC?
A: The still frame is HEIC by default on modern iPhones. The motion part uses efficient video encoding (HEVC).
In Conclusion
HEIC is like JPEG, just more efficient. You get similar quality at smaller sizes, automatic compatibility when sharing from Apple apps, and simple settings to switch back to JPEG if your workflow needs it. If you want to store more photos without changing how they look, HEIC is a clear choice.
