Source: https://mactoolbox.app/glossary/heic

# What is HEIC?

By Nikhil Barik · Published November 3, 2026

## Quick answer

HEIC is an image format that stores photos at about half the size of a JPEG at similar quality. iPhones save photos as HEIC by default, and Macs open them natively.

## What HEIC is

HEIC is Apple's name for images saved in the HEIF container, which usually holds HEVC-compressed pictures. It also supports transparency, 16-bit color and storing several images in one file.

Apple devices have saved photos as HEIC by default since iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra.

## Why it matters on a Mac

Preview, Photos and Quick Look open HEIC without extra software. The trouble starts when you send a photo to a website, a Windows PC or an older app that does not read it.

## How to check or change it on macOS

1. To see a file's format, select it in Finder and press Command-I. The Kind line says HEIF Image or similar.
2. To make an iPhone shoot JPEG, go to Settings > Camera > Formats and choose Most Compatible.
3. To convert a file on the Mac, open it in Preview and choose File > Export, then pick JPEG.

## How Toolbox handles it

Convert Images turns HEIC photos into JPEG, PNG, TIFF or WebP, a whole folder at a time, and also writes HEIC. Compress Images can save as HEIC to make photos smaller. Both run on your Mac and leave your originals alone.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is HEIC better than JPEG?**

HEIC usually gives a smaller file at similar quality. JPEG is still the safer choice when a photo must open everywhere.

**Why will my HEIC photo not upload?**

The site or app probably does not accept HEIC. Convert the photo to JPEG first.

**Does converting HEIC to JPG keep the date and location?**

Only if Keep metadata is on in Convert Images. Turn it off to drop that information.

## Tools mentioned

- [**Convert Images**: Save photos as JPEG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF or WebP.](https://mactoolbox.app/heic-to-jpg-mac)
- [**Compress Images**: Make photos smaller without visible loss in quality.](https://mactoolbox.app/compress-images-mac)
- [**Remove Metadata**: Strip location, camera and date info from photos.](https://mactoolbox.app/remove-exif-data-mac)

## Keep reading

- [Convert Images](https://mactoolbox.app/heic-to-jpg-mac)
- [Compress Images](https://mactoolbox.app/compress-images-mac)
- [HEVC (H.265)](https://mactoolbox.app/glossary/hevc-h265)
- [JPEG](https://mactoolbox.app/glossary/jpeg)