Convert your HEIF files to any format easily

With HEIF 2.0 (heif20.com), converting your HEIF images is effortless, fast, and secure—simply upload, choose your preferred format, and download in seconds. Our smart converter supports a wide range of outputs like JPG, PNG, WEBP, TIFF, PDF and more, delivering high-quality results while keeping file sizes optimized for web, print, or sharing. Designed for productivity, it runs smoothly in the browser with no installation required, preserves essential metadata, and handles batch conversions to save you time. Whether you’re a designer, developer, marketer, or everyday user, our tool offers clean, loss-aware processing, robust privacy with automatic file deletion, and an intuitive interface built for speed. Choose HEIF 2.0 to convert your HEIF files to any format easily and maintain the perfect balance of quality, compatibility, and convenience.

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Frequently asked questions about HEIF file conversion

Find clear, quick answers about converting HEIF files, including supported formats, quality settings, privacy, and troubleshooting, so you can convert your images smoothly and with confidence.

What is a HEIF file and what is it used for?

A HEIF (High Efficiency Image File) is a modern image format that stores photos and graphics with high quality and small file size, using advanced compression (based on HEVC/H.265) to save space without losing detail; it supports single images, image sequences (like bursts or live photos), transparency, depth maps, HDR, thumbnails, and rich metadata, making it ideal for smartphones, especially iPhone and iPad, and many newer Android and desktop systems; it is commonly used for capturing, storing, sharing, and editing photos with more efficiency than JPEG, while keeping colors and details sharper, and it can also bundle multiple images and edits in one file, although for broad compatibility on older devices or the web, users sometimes convert HEIF to JPEG, PNG, or WEBP.

Why do iPhones use the HEIF format instead of JPG?

iPhones use the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File) format instead of JPG because it delivers the same or better image quality at a much smaller file size. HEIF uses advanced compression (based on the same tech as HEVC video), which keeps details, colors, and textures sharp while saving storage space. This helps you store more photos, send them faster, and back them up quicker without losing visible quality. In short, HEIF is a smarter, more modern way to save photos than older JPG.

HEIF also supports richer features that JPG can’t handle well. It can store things like multiple images in one file (great for Live Photos and bursts), transparency, depth data for Portrait Mode, and wide color gamut for more accurate colors. These extras make iPhone photos more flexible for editing and effects while keeping everything in a single, efficient container. With HEIF, your photos are not only smaller, they’re also more capable.

What about compatibility? Apple designed iOS to auto-convert HEIF to JPG when needed—like when you share to apps or devices that don’t support HEIF. On modern systems (iOS, macOS, Windows 10/11 with codecs, most Android phones, and many web tools), HEIF is widely supported. But if you ever need maximum compatibility, you can change your iPhone camera settings to save as Most Compatible (JPG) or use a converter to switch from HEIC/HEIF to JPG quickly. This way, you get the benefits of HEIF without losing the option to share universally.

What is the difference between HEIF and HEIC?

HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) is a modern container format for images and image sequences, designed to store photos, bursts, Live Photos, HDR, depth maps, and even audio and metadata with excellent compression; it’s a flexible standard created by MPEG and can hold different codecs inside, most commonly HEVC (H.265) for still images and animations while keeping file sizes small without losing visual quality.

HEIC is simply a specific file extension that indicates a HEIF container using the HEVC codec; in other words, every HEIC file is a type of HEIF file encoded with HEVC, but not every HEIF file has to be HEIC because HEIF could theoretically use other codecs or carry different kinds of media, so HEIC = HEIF + HEVC in a practical, Apple-friendly package.

In real-world use, Apple devices save photos as .heic to reduce storage and preserve quality, while the term HEIF is broader and used in standards and technical contexts; compatibility differs across platforms, so if you face issues opening HEIC, you can convert it to JPEG or PNG for wider support, or to AVIF or WebP for modern compression on the web—knowing the difference helps you choose the right format for quality, size, and compatibility.

What advantages does the HEIF format offer over JPEG?

HEIF offers several key advantages over JPEG, starting with much smaller file sizes at the same or even better visual quality, thanks to more efficient compression based on advanced codecs like HEVC. This means you can store more photos without losing detail, with cleaner edges, better gradients, and reduced banding and noise. HEIF also supports 10-bit color and wide color gamuts, preserving richer tones and smoother color transitions than the 8-bit limit of most JPEGs. As a result, images look more natural on modern displays, with improved highlights and shadows, all while using less storage and bandwidth.

Beyond compression and color, HEIF is more flexible: it can store multiple images in one file (great for bursts, live photos, and animations), keep alpha transparency, embed depth maps for portrait effects, and include non-destructive edits, thumbnails, and rich metadata without creating extra files. It also supports HDR imagery and advanced features like tiles and overlays for faster loading and smart editing. In short, HEIF delivers higher quality, more features, and smaller sizes than JPEG, making it ideal for modern photography and web or mobile workflows.

Does HEIF have better quality than JPG?

Yes—HEIF can deliver better quality than JPG at smaller file sizes thanks to a newer compression method (based on HEVC) that preserves more detail, smoother gradients, and fewer visible artifacts at the same or lower bitrate. This means photos often look sharper and cleaner with more accurate colors, especially in complex areas like skies, foliage, or low-light scenes where JPG can show banding and blockiness. HEIF also supports 10-bit color, transparency, and multiple images per file (like bursts or Live Photos), giving it more headroom for quality and features compared to the older JPG format.

However, real-world results depend on how the image was encoded, the source quality, and your viewing device. While HEIF usually wins for quality-to-size, JPG still has broader compatibility across websites, apps, and older devices. If you need maximum compatibility or are sharing images widely, JPG remains a safe choice. If you want the best balance of quality and small size—especially for modern devices and workflows—HEIF is typically the better option.

Can I open HEIF files on Windows 10 or Windows 11 without installing anything?

Short answer: Not completely. Windows 10 and Windows 11 can show HEIF/HEIC thumbnails in Photos, but to fully open and view HEIF images, you usually need Microsoft’s free “HEIF Image Extensions” and often the separate “HEVC Video Extensions” (sometimes paid) for photos that use HEVC compression. Without these add-ons, you may see errors or blank previews, especially with HEIC files from iPhones.

Windows 11 sometimes installs the HEIF Image Extensions automatically through updates, but this isn’t guaranteed on all devices or builds. If it’s not present, double-clicking a HEIC file prompts you to get the extension from the Microsoft Store. Windows 10 more often requires you to install both extensions manually. If your images were saved using non-HEVC compression, the HEIF extension alone may be enough—but many HEIC photos rely on HEVC.

If you want to avoid installing anything, use a browser-based converter to turn HEIC/HEIF into JPG or PNG and open them instantly in Windows. This is the quickest no-install workaround. Otherwise, install the official extensions once and you’ll be able to open, view, and share HEIF/HEIC across Photos and most apps without extra steps.

Can I upload HEIF photos to platforms like Squarespace or WordPress?

Yes, but with limits. Most platforms like WordPress and Squarespace do not natively support HEIF/HEIC uploads in all themes or setups, which can lead to upload errors or images not displaying correctly. WordPress may allow the file to upload on some hosts, but browsers still struggle to show HEIF directly. Squarespace typically recommends using web-friendly formats. To avoid broken images and ensure consistent display across devices and browsers, it’s safer to convert your HEIF photos before uploading.

Best practice: convert HEIF to a widely supported format like JPEG, PNG, or even better, modern WebP for smaller size and great quality. This guarantees compatibility with WordPress media libraries, Squarespace image blocks, and most themes, while also improving page speed and SEO. If you use image optimization plugins on WordPress, check if they auto-convert to WebP after upload; otherwise, convert beforehand to keep control over quality and file size.

Quick workflow: Convert HEIF to WebP or JPEG, keep dimensions optimized (e.g., max 2560 px on the long side), and compress images to balance clarity and speed. Then upload to WordPress or Squarespace using their standard media tools. This ensures your photos look great, load fast, and display reliably everywhere—no surprises for your visitors or your site’s performance.

Does the HEIF format take up less space than JPG or PNG?

Yes—HEIF usually takes up less space than JPG or PNG while keeping equal or better visual quality. HEIF uses modern compression (often HEVC/H.265) to pack more detail into smaller files, especially for photos with complex textures or gradients. Compared to JPG, you’ll often see 30–60% smaller file sizes at the same perceived quality, and compared to PNG (which is lossless and large for photos), HEIF can be dramatically smaller. HEIF also supports 10-bit color, transparency, burst shots, Live Photos, and depth data, making it a smart choice for high-quality images with efficient storage. In short, if your device and tools support it, HEIF is the space-saving winner for photos.

However, compatibility matters. JPG and PNG are supported almost everywhere, while HEIF support varies across older apps, browsers, and some operating systems. If you need maximum compatibility or truly lossless graphics (logos, icons, screenshots with crisp edges), PNG or high-quality JPG may still be better. For personal libraries, modern websites, or Apple/Android ecosystems that support HEIF, you’ll benefit from smaller files, faster uploads, and reduced bandwidth without a visible drop in quality. When in doubt, test the same image across formats and compare size vs. quality for your workflow.

What is the relationship between HEIF and Apple RAW or ProRAW formats?

HEIF is a modern image container and compression format that Apple uses for efficient storage of photos and videos, while Apple RAW and ProRAW are capture formats that retain rich, unprocessed sensor data for maximum editing flexibility; in practice, ProRAW combines the advantages of RAW (full dynamic range, detailed color, non-destructive editing) with Apple’s computational photography, and then can be stored inside a HEIF container or exported as JPEG, HEIF, or TIFF for sharing, meaning HEIF is primarily about how the image is packaged and compressed, whereas Apple RAW/ProRAW is about the quality and depth of the captured data; on iPhone, standard photos are typically saved as HEIF (small file, ready to share), while ProRAW files are much larger (often .DNG) and are meant for editing, and after editing you can convert them to HEIF to reduce size; in short, HEIF handles efficient storage and delivery, and Apple RAW/ProRAW handle maximum image quality and editability, and they can work together when ProRAW content is exported or wrapped in HEIF for space-saving distribution without re-capturing the photo.

Why don’t some Android devices recognize HEIF files?

Some Android devices don’t recognize HEIF because of inconsistent support across versions, chipsets, and apps. HEIF/HEIC is a newer image format that uses advanced compression (HEVC/H.265) to save space with high quality, but older Android versions, budget phones, or devices without the proper codecs and system libraries can’t decode it. Even on newer phones, the default gallery, camera, or social apps may not include full HEIF handling, causing images to show as unsupported or fail to open. Manufacturers also customize Android, so brand-specific software may enable or disable HEIF differently, leading to mixed results between models.

To fix this, make sure your phone and apps are fully updated, and install a gallery or editor that explicitly supports HEIF/HEIC. If issues continue, convert the files to a widely supported format like JPEG or PNG for sharing and compatibility with older apps and devices. In camera settings, you can disable “HEIF/HEIC” capture to save future photos as JPEG. For best results when sharing, use cloud services or messaging apps that auto-convert HEIF to JPEG, or use an online converter to keep quality while ensuring your images open everywhere.