What is HEIC image format ?

What does HEIC mean?

HEIC = High Efficiency Image Container

It’s based on the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) standard and commonly uses HEVC (H.265) compression.

Why HEIC is used

📉 Smaller file size (about 40–50% smaller than JPG)

🖼️ Better image quality at the same size

🎨 Supports 16-bit color (JPG is 8-bit)

🌈 Supports transparency

📸 Can store multiple images (bursts, Live Photos)

🧭 Can store metadata (EXIF, GPS, depth info)

How to Open ?

Linux (Ubuntu)

Install support:

sudo apt install heif-gdk-pixbuf libheif-examples

Then open with Image Viewer, GIMP, etc.

Windows 10/11

HEIF Image Extensions

HEVC Video Extensions (from Microsoft Store)

Convert HEIC to JPG/PNG

On Linux:

heif-convert photo.heic photo.jpg

Or batch convert:

for f in *.heic; do heif-convert "$f" "${f%.heic}.jpg"; done