With the version of its operating system iOS 11, Apple He then used the HEIC file format for his photos on iPhone and iPad. This decision aimed to reducing file sizes, as well as being able to have more than one photo in a file (burst, for example), among other goals.
Android 9 (Pie) also added support for this very efficient format and it is worth using it on your mobile if you haven’t already.
The big problem is that your laptop or PC may not be able to open these HEIC files when you import them from your mobile. Microsoft introduced HEIC (and HEIF) support in version 1809 (the October 2018 update), but it’s not as obvious as it sounds.
What is a HEIC file?
If you copy photos from any of the latest iPhone or iPad models to a Windows computer or laptop, most likely many of these files will appear as unknown, with the typical blank photos and videos icon.
This file format was developed by MPEG, not Apple, so we cannot blame Apple. In fact, HEIC is gradually being replaced in importance by the popular (but obsolete and defective) JPG format.
Images in .heic format are compressed using HEVC, the high efficiency video codec. These images are then stored in a HEIF file, which means High efficiency file format.
There are several reasons why HEIF is a great format:
- It takes up almost half the space of the JPG format but retains the same quality.
- You can store multiple photos in a single file, such as live photos or bursts.
- It supports transparent backgrounds like GIF files.
- It can store the image changes, such as cropping and rotations, so that you can undo the changes.
- It supports 16-bit color depth, while JPG is only 8-bit.
How to open a HEIC file in Windows 10?
Make sure Windows 10 version 1809 or later is installed. If the installed version is earlier than 1809, then you will need to update your computer by going to Setting, followed by Update and security and Update Windows.
Next, you will need to install the supported utility, available from the Microsoft Store, called HEIF Image Extensions. It’s free, but you might have already installed it on your device.
You also need to install the HEVC video extensions, with which you will gain functionality.
With all of this installed, you should see that double clicking on a .heic file will open the Windows Photos app by default. Otherwise, you need to select the option that will appear to always use Photos app to open HEIC files.
How to convert HEIC to JPG
When opening a HEIC file, it will work as a normal JPG. You can edit it using the tools available in the Photos app. You will see that even if you do not make any changes after clicking Edit and create, there will be a button to save a copy which you can use to save it in another format, such as JPG.
This method is suitable if you want to convert photos every now and then, but there are easier ways to convert multiple photos to JPG at once.
You can use free apps like IMazing HEIC Converter or the Apowersoft HEIC to JPG Converter. You also have the option of using online converters like this one from HEIC and JPG, although you can find more by searching any search engine.
Each of them has a different interface, but the idea is the same. You need to upload the HEIC images to the server, choose the format you want to convert them to, JPG or PNG, and choose the folder on your computer where you want them saved.
If you want more control like JPG compression level, renaming, and other features, we recommend you try the HEIC to JPG – The HEIC Image Converter program in the Microsoft Store.
How to share JPF images from your iPhone
If you want to avoid having to convert images on your computer, you can select and share the photos from your iPhone or iPad (as long as you still have them saved) and share them with the Photos app by mail or storage. cloud service.
When you do, they will automatically be converted to JPEG. When you choose to share them by email, you will have to choose the size: always go for the original size if you want to keep the best quality.
And if you are going to upload them to a cloud service like Google Drive, you should see that these photos are saved with the .jpeg extension.
How to let iPhone save photos in HEIC format?
Go to ‘Settings“From your iPhone, scroll down and press the option”Camera‘. Then select the ‘Formats‘and in the new screen you can uncheck’ High efficiency ‘choose’The most compatible‘.
.
Table of Contents
