Why Smartphones Use HEIC and How to Handle Them

If you own an iPhone or a recent Samsung Galaxy device, you have likely encountered a file ending in .HEIC. You might have discovered it the hard way: by trying to upload a beautiful vacation photo to a website, only to receive a frustrating "Unsupported File Format" error. While this format feels like an obstacle, it is actually a technical marvel that solves one of the biggest problems in mobile technology: storage limits.

What is HEIC? A Technical Breakdown

HEIC stands for High Efficiency Image Container. It is the file extension used for images saved in the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) standard. While we often use the terms interchangeably, HEIF is the format, and HEIC is the "container" that holds the image data along with metadata and other properties.

Introduced by Apple in 2017 with iOS 11, HEIC was meant to be the successor to the JPEG format, which has dominated the internet since 1992. The goal was simple: create a format that offers better image quality than JPEG but uses significantly less storage space. Thanks to advanced compression algorithms derived from the HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) codec, HEIC successfully achieved this.

The History: Why Did Apple Kill the JPEG?

JPEG was designed for an era when cameras had low resolutions and storage was measured in megabytes. In today's world of 48-megapixel smartphone cameras and 4K Live Photos, the JPEG format began to show its age. It simply isn't efficient enough to handle the massive amounts of data captured by modern sensors. By switching to HEIC, Apple allowed users to store twice as many photos on their 128GB or 256GB iPhones without sacrificing quality. Today, Samsung and other Android manufacturers have followed suit, making HEIC the new mobile standard.

The Hidden Powers of the HEIC Container

One of the biggest advantages of HEIC over JPEG isn't just the file size—it's what the "Container" can hold. Unlike a JPEG, which is a single static image, a HEIC file can store:

• Image Sequences: This is how Apple’s "Live Photos" work. A single .heic file contains multiple frames and a small video snippet.
• Alpha Channels (Transparency): HEIC supports transparency, making it a viable alternative to PNG for logos and graphics.
• Non-Destructive Edits: It can store metadata about rotations, crops, and filters. If you crop a photo on your iPhone, the original pixels are still there inside the HEIC container; the file just tells the phone where to look.
• Depth Maps: For Portrait Mode photos, HEIC stores a map of the distance between objects, allowing you to change the background blur (bokeh) long after the photo was taken.

The Compatibility Gap: Why HEIC Fails on Windows & Web

Despite its technical superiority, HEIC suffers from a "compatibility gap." Because it is a newer format and involves licensing fees for the HEVC codec, many software developers have been slow to adopt it. Windows users often need to download a specific "HEVC Extension" from the Microsoft Store (which sometimes costs money) just to view their own photos. Furthermore, many legacy web applications, government portals, and even social media sites still do not accept HEIC uploads, forcing users to convert their files manually.

How to Manage HEIC Files in 2026

If you find HEIC more annoying than helpful, you have three main ways to manage your workflow:

1. Use a Privacy-First Online Converter

The fastest way to fix a single "Unsupported Format" error is to use an online converter. However, be careful—many converters upload your personal photos to their servers. ImageResizze uses client-side JavaScript to convert your HEIC files directly in your browser. This means your data never leaves your computer, ensuring your privacy stays intact while you get your JPEG in seconds.

2. Force Your iPhone to Use JPEG

If you value compatibility over storage space, you can tell your phone to stop using HEIC entirely. Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and select "Most Compatible." From that point on, your phone will capture photos in the traditional JPEG format. Keep in mind that your photos will take up about 50% more space.

3. Use "Automatic" Transfer Modes

Apple included a clever bridge for PC users. If you go to Settings > Photos and scroll to the bottom, you will find a section called "Transfer to Mac or PC." Ensure this is set to "Automatic." When you plug your phone into a computer to copy photos, the iPhone will convert them to JPEGs on the fly as it sends them to the computer.

Conclusion: Is HEIC the Future?

While the transition has been bumpy, HEIC is undoubtedly the future of personal photography. As our screens support wider color gamuts (HDR) and our storage needs continue to grow, the 30-year-old JPEG format will eventually fade away. Until the entire web catches up, tools like our HEIC-to-JPG converter will remain essential parts of the modern digital toolkit. Embrace the efficiency of HEIC for your storage, and convert to JPEG for the world.