HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container)
.heic .heif · image/heic · 2015 · MPEG / Apple (adoption)
HEIC is the format iPhones have shot in by default since iOS 11 (2017). It stores HEVC-compressed images at roughly half the size of equivalent JPEG, with HDR, depth maps and live photos. The catch is compatibility: Windows needs paid codecs, many websites reject uploads, and most browsers will not display it. Converting HEIC to JPEG (photos) or PNG (screenshots) remains the #1 fix for "why won't my iPhone photo open". EditItAll decodes HEIC locally in your browser — your photos never leave your device.
Compression
Lossy
Transparency
Yes
Animation
Yes
Browser display
Partial
Strengths & limitations
Strengths
- ~50% smaller than JPEG from your iPhone
- HDR, depth data, bursts, live photos
- 10-bit color support
Limitations
- Poor support outside Apple devices
- Websites and older software often reject it
- Licensing (HEVC) limits adoption
Best used for
- iPhone camera originals
- Apple ecosystem storage