The High-Efficiency Image Container, popularly known as HEIC, is a relatively new photo file format developed for storing relatively small, high-quality photos on iOS devices. It is a very helpful file format, especially for iOS users, because they can open and share HEIC photos on iOS devices running on iOS 11 and above. But how can you open a HEIC file on Mac computers? Some older macOS versions do not support HEIC files. Fortunately, this article is for you. We introduce how to open HEIC files on Mac in four different ways. Let's learn together.
Tried to open HEIC files on your Mac computer but failed? To open a HEIC photo on your Mac computer, the first way you can try is to convert it into a JPG file format. By doing that, you can open the photo on any Mac computer. But how can you convert a HEIC photo to a JPG? The best solution is to use a professional file converter like the HEIC Converter application.
It can help users easily batch convert HEIC files into JPG/PNG and it is available for both Mac and Windows computers. Additionally, the application allows users to convert the first ten HEIC photos for free and adjust their quality quickly.
Follow the below simple steps to learn how to convert HEIC photos to JPG using the HEIC Converter application:
01Download, install, and launch the application on your computer.
02Add the HEIC photo to the application by clicking the Add HEIC button, navigating through the computer storage, selecting the HEIC file of your choice, and clicking the Upload button. You can also add the HEIC file to the application by dragging and dropping the files into the program's interface.
03Check-mark the file you wish to convert, select the output file format of your choice, choose to Keep Exif Data or not, and locate where you wish to store your converted photo.
04Hit the Convert button to initiate the conversion process. Now, you can view the file on a Mac computer by clicking the Open folder option.
If you don't want to download any software, there are several features on Mac you can apply to open HEIC files. Below is how to open HEIC files using Mac features:
The Preview application on your MacBook can be utilized to open HEIC files. You can also set the application to read the HEIC files by default. To use the Preview app to open HEIC files:
Step 1. Locate the photos you want to open on your MacBook.
Step 2. Right-click on the image, select the Open With option, and then choose the Preview option.
You must have used the Photo application if you have been using a Mac computer for a long period. The application lets you organize and import photos on a Mac computer and also stores HEIC files.
Below is how to open HIEC files on your computer using the Photo application:
Step 1. Launch the Photos application on your Mac, or click your Photos on the Launchpad.
Step 2. Tap the File menu on the upper part of the application's screen, and add a new HEIC file to the devices' album by choosing the Import option.
Step 3. Locate the HEIC photos, select them, hit review, and then import them by hitting the Import button.
Step 4. Your HEIC files will be imported, and you can view them like any other file using the Photos application.
Tips: If you want to turn off HEIC on iPhone, you can read this article.
Cloud services can also help view HEIC files on Mac, such as Dropbox and Google Drive. We're using Dropbox for an instance. Below is how to do so:
Step 1. Open your preferred browser and navigate to Dropbox and then log in to your Dropbox account.
Step 2. Upload the HEIC files you want to back up to Dropbox.
Step 3. Once the files are fully uploaded to your Dropbox, click on a HEIC file to open and view it.
Q1. Can I open HEIC files on Windows and Android devices?
Yes, you can open HEIC files on both Windows and Android devices, but you might need to install additional software or use specific methods to do so. If you want to learn more about how to open HEIC files on Android, you can read this article; to open HEIC on a Windows computer, click here.
Q2. Can I stop saving my iOS devices' photos using the HEIC format?
Yes, you can do that by changing the default photo-saving format from HEIC to your preferred format. Below is how to change your iPhone's default photo-saving format from HEIC to JPG:
Step 1. Launch the Settings application, and click the Camera button.
Step 2. Hit the Formats button, and select Most Compatible as your default photo-saving format.
Apple introduced the High-Efficiency Image Container file format for storing high-quality photos at a smaller size. Although the HEIC file format is beneficial, it is not compatible with multiple platforms. Fortunately, you can use any of the above-discussed methods for opening HEIC photos on a Mac computer. Among these methods, we advise you to use the HEIC Converter application, as it is extremely easy to use, converts the first ten images for free, and is reliable.
Related Articles:
HEIF/HEIC Image Viewer: How to Open/View HEIC Images on Windows/Mac/Android? [Free]
How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Google Drive? [3 Effective Ways]
How to Open HEIC Files in Photoshop? [Quick and Easy Guide]
Streamlining Your Image Workflow: HEIC Viewer Software in the Spotlight
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