What Is HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format)?

Q: Is HEIF the same as HEIC?

Not exactly. HEIF is the underlying file format standard. HEIC is Apple's specific implementation that uses HEVC (H.265) compression inside an HEIF container. All HEIC files are HEIF files, but HEIF can also use other codecs.

HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) is a modern image standard developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and finalized in 2015. HEIF stores images using advanced compression that produces files roughly half the size of JPEG at equivalent quality, making it the underlying standard behind iPhone's HEIC photos.

How HEIF Works

HEIF is a container format, meaning it stores image data, metadata, thumbnails, and even multiple frames inside a single file. The format was designed for efficiency from the start, supporting modern compression codecs (most commonly HEVC/H.265) that significantly outperform the decades-old JPEG standard. A typical HEIF photo from an iPhone is 1–3 MB compared to 2–5 MB for the same JPEG.

HEIF vs HEIC

HEIF is the underlying standard. HEIC is Apple's specific implementation that pairs HEIF with HEVC compression. The .heic file extension is essentially a branded version of HEIF. Other codecs can also live inside HEIF containers (such as AV1 in some Android implementations), but on iPhone you'll only see HEIC.

Features Beyond JPEG

Image sequences: Store multiple images in one file (used for Live Photos)
Depth maps: Embedded depth data for Portrait mode editing after capture
Transparency: Supports alpha channels (JPEG does not)
16-bit color: Wider color depth than JPEG's 8-bit limit
Lossless option: HEIF can store images without quality loss
HDR support: Native handling of high dynamic range scenes

Compatibility

All Apple devices on iOS 11 / macOS High Sierra or newer support HEIF natively. Windows 10 supports HEIF with a free codec from the Microsoft Store. Android 9 and later opens HEIF files natively. Most modern web browsers and major cloud services (Google Photos, Dropbox, OneDrive) handle HEIF without conversion.

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HEIF stand for?

HEIF stands for High Efficiency Image File Format. It is a standard developed by MPEG for storing still images, image sequences, and image-related metadata.

Is HEIF the same as HEIC?

HEIF is the underlying standard. HEIC is Apple's specific implementation using HEVC compression in an HEIF container.

Why does iPhone use HEIF?

iPhones use HEIF (as HEIC) because it produces files about half the size of JPEG at equivalent quality, saving significant storage.

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