HEIC
Technology & Computing abbreviation · File Format
| Stands for | High Efficiency Image Container |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container, a file format abbreviation.
Image file format used by iPhones and iPads since iOS 11 (2017) for photos, storing HEVC-compressed images at about half the size of equivalent JPEGs. Files end in .heic.
Example: Windows couldn't open my iPhone's HEIC photos until I installed the HEIF and HEVC extensions.
Usage notes
HEIC is Apple's use of the HEIF standard with HEVC compression. It also stores Live Photos, depth maps and bursts. In iPhone camera settings, "High Efficiency" saves HEIC while "Most Compatible" saves JPEG, and iOS converts to JPEG automatically when sharing with many apps. Older Windows versions and some websites still do not accept HEIC uploads.
Related abbreviations
More file format abbreviations
- GIF – Graphics Interchange Format
- glTF – GL Transmission Format
- GPX – GPS Exchange Format
- GZ – gzip compressed file
- H.264 – ITU-T H.264 video coding standard
- H.265 – ITU-T H.265 video coding standard
- HEIF – High Efficiency Image File Format
- HEVC – High Efficiency Video Coding
- ICO – Icon file
- ICS – iCalendar file
- IMG – Disk image file
- INI – Initialization file