HEIC to HEIF Converter
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Supports: HEIC
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Need help?How to Convert HEIC to HEIF
- Upload Your HEIC File — Click "Choose Files" or drag and drop your HEIC image (the default photo format on iPhones since iOS 11). Only HEIC files are accepted.
- Set Image Quality — Under Image Compression, choose a Quality Preset (Highest, Very High, High, Medium, Low). "Very High" is the default and recommended. You can also set a Specific File Size in MB or KB for precise control.
- Adjust Resolution (Optional) — Under Image Resolution, keep the original dimensions or choose a Preset Resolution (4320p/8K down to 144p), set a custom Width or Height in pixels or percentage, or specify exact Width × Height.
- Convert & Download — Click "Convert" and download your HEIF file. Batch convert multiple HEIC photos at once.
Why Convert HEIC to HEIF?
HEIC and HEIF are closely related — both use HEVC (H.265) compression for high-efficiency image storage. HEIC is Apple's specific implementation (the container used on iPhones), while HEIF is the broader standard defined by MPEG. Converting HEIC to HEIF can improve compatibility with non-Apple software that supports the HEIF standard but not Apple's HEIC container, ensure files conform to the open HEIF specification for archival purposes, and maintain the same compression efficiency and image quality since both formats use identical underlying compression.
HEIC vs HEIF Comparison
| Feature | HEIC | HEIF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | High Efficiency Image Container | High Efficiency Image Format |
| Developed by | Apple (container) | MPEG (standard) |
| Compression | HEVC (H.265) | HEVC (H.265) |
| Quality at same size | Identical | Identical |
| iPhone default | Yes (since iOS 11) | No |
| Non-Apple support | Limited | Broader |
| Live Photos support | Yes | Yes |
| 10-bit color depth | Yes | Yes |
When to Use HEIF vs Other Formats
| Scenario | Best Format | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing with anyone | JPG | Universal compatibility |
| Archiving iPhone photos | HEIF | Preserves quality, open standard |
| Web publishing | WebP or AVIF | Smaller files, browser support |
| Professional printing | TIFF or PNG | Lossless, wide color gamut |
| Editing in Photoshop/GIMP | JPG or PNG | Broadest editor support |
| Keeping smallest file size | HEIF or HEIC | ~50% smaller than JPG |
Are HEIC and HEIF the same thing?
They are closely related but not identical. HEIF is the open standard (ISO/IEC 23008-12) that defines the image format. HEIC is Apple's specific implementation that uses HEIF with HEVC compression. In practice, the image data is encoded the same way — the difference is in the container metadata. Some software recognizes .heif but not .heic, which is why conversion can help.
Will converting HEIC to HEIF lose quality?
No. Both formats use the same HEVC compression. When you convert with the "Very High" or "Highest" Quality Preset, the image quality is preserved. The conversion primarily changes the container format, not the underlying image data.
Can I batch convert my entire iPhone camera roll?
Yes. Upload multiple HEIC files at once and convert them all to HEIF in a single session. Each file is processed with your chosen quality and resolution settings, then available for individual download.
Why can't Windows open my HEIC files?
Windows requires the "HEIF Image Extensions" and "HEVC Video Extensions" from the Microsoft Store to open HEIC files. Converting to HEIF may help with some applications, but for universal compatibility, converting to JPG is the safest option. See also HEIC to JPG.
Should I convert to HEIF or JPG for archival?
For archival, HEIF preserves more detail at a smaller file size than JPG (roughly 50% smaller at equivalent quality). However, JPG has universal support across every device and application. If long-term compatibility is your priority, JPG is safer. If storage efficiency matters more, HEIF is the better choice.