Why Can't I Open HEIC Photos on iPhone? - 7 Quick Fixes Inside!

"Receiving HEIC photos - can't open. I checked my settings in Camera, and "Most Compatible" is selected for camera capture format, not High Efficiency, which is what I read in a chat to check. I don't want to receive HEIC photos. What do I need to do?"

- from Apple Community

HEIC is an efficient image format that has been widely adopted by Apple on iPhone and iPad devices since iOS 11. It saves storage space without sacrificing image quality, which is why more and more iPhone users are using the HEIC format to save their photos. However, users may sometimes encounter the issue of the HEIC image not opening on their iPhones, which can be confusing. Why can't I open HEIC photos on iPhone? This article will explore the reasons behind this issue and provide solutions to help you successfully open HEIC photos.

Part 1. Why Can't I See HEIC Photos on iPhone?

Before discussing solutions, it's crucial to understand the possible reasons why HEIC won't open on iPhone. Here are a few common reasons:

• iMessage Disabled: Turning off iMessage can prevent the iPhone from receiving complex file formats like HEIC through standard text messaging, potentially causing issues with picture downloads in iMessage.
• Insufficient Storage: A lack of available storage on your iPhone can interfere with the proper opening and processing of HEIC files.
• High Efficiency Mode Disabled: If the "High Efficiency" setting in your camera settings is turned off, the iPhone may struggle to handle HEIC files effectively.
• Outdated iOS Version: Running an outdated version of iOS might mean missing critical updates needed to properly manage HEIC files.
• iCloud Sync Issues: Problems with iCloud syncing, especially related to Messages or Photos, can prevent HEIC files from being accessed correctly on your iPhone.

Part 2. How to Fix Can't Open HEIC on iPhone

After we know the reason for HEIC won't open on iPhone, it's time to take measures to solve this problem. Here are seven fixes you can try when you can't open HEIC file on iPhone.

Fix 1. Force Restart iPhone

If an iPhone encounters a glitch or software bug that prevents it from handling HEIC images, performing a force restart can often resolve the issue. A force restart clears the device's temporary memory (RAM) and restarts the operating system, helping to eliminate these glitches and restore normal functionality, including the ability to open HEIC files.

Fix 2. Re-enable iMessage in Settings

iMessage may sometimes fail receiving HEIC photos on iPhone properly due to software errors or network issues. Therefore, if you can't view HEIC files on iPhone, you can try re-enabling iMessage to resolve this problem.

To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Scroll down to the "Messages" option and turn off "iMessage".

Step 3. Wait a few seconds, then re-enable iMessage.

Fix 3. Re-sign in Apple ID

Sometimes, temporary glitches or authentication issues with your Apple ID may cause iPhone not showing HEIC photos. To fix this, sign out of your Apple ID and sign back in. This process can help clear any misconfigurations or conflicts that might be affecting how your iPhone handles HEIC images.

Here is how to re-sign in your Apple ID:

Step 1. Open "Settings" on your iPhone.

Step 2. Tap your "Apple ID profile", then select "Sign Out". (Can't sign out of your Apple ID?)

Step 3. Enter your password to log out, then log back into your Apple ID.

Step 4. Once the sync is complete, check if you can open the HEIC photos properly.

Fix 4. Enable Low-Quality Image Mode

If you still can't open HEIC on iPhone 11/12/13/14/15/16, it might be due to limitations in processing power or storage, especially with large files. Enabling "Low-Quality Image Mode" can help by compressing images, making them easier for your device to manage.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" and tap on "Messages".

Step 2. Scroll down and find "Low-Quality Image Mode".

Step 3. Turn on this option, then check the HEIC photos again.

Fix 5. Update iOS Version

Although most iPhones have supported the HEIC format since iOS 11, a lower system version or bugs can sometimes prevent HEIC photos from opening. Therefore, updating iOS to the latest version usually resolves the issue.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Open "Settings" and tap on "General".

Step 2. Select "Software Update" to check for available updates. (iPhone software update failed?)

Step 3. Download and install the latest iOS version, and after installation, try reopening the HEIC photos.

Fix 6. Convert HEIC to JPG/JPEG/PNG

If you still can't open HEIC photos, you can use third-party tools to convert them to JPG or PNG formats for better compatibility. Coolmuster HEIC Converter is a user-friendly tool that can quickly batch-convert HEIC photos to more common formats while maintaining image quality. After conversion, you can easily view these photos on any device.

Highlights of HEIC Converter:

• Convert HEIC to JPG/JPEG or PNG on your Windows PC without losing image quality.
• Preview HEIC images directly on your computer.
• Add, delete, and search for HEIC files or folders easily.
• Preserve Exif data during conversion without any loss.
• Adjust image quality settings before conversion.

Here is how to convert HEIC photos on iPhone using HEIC Converter:

01First, transfer your photos from your iPhone to the Windows computer. Then, download and install this tool on your PC.

Free Download for PC

02Click the "Add HEIC" button or drag your images into the dashed box, then click the "Drop and drop here" icon to add your HEIC photos.

03Once you've imported the HEIC photos, select the images you want to convert and choose "JPEG/JPG" or "PNG" for the "Output Format". If needed, enable the "Keep Exif Data" option to retain the original information of the images.

04Adjust the Quality settings, specify an output folder on your computer for the converted files and then click the "Convert" button to change HEIC to PNG or JPG.

After the conversion is successful, you can click here to learn how to transfer pictures from your PC back to your iPhone.

Video Tutorial:

Fix 7. Check If the Photo File is Corrupted

If the HEIC image is still not opening on iPhone, the last step is to check if the file itself is corrupted. You can try sending the photo to a computer or another device to see if it opens there. If the file won't open on other devices either, it may be damaged. In this case, you can attempt to re-obtain the photo from the source or use data recovery tools to fix the corrupted file.

Bonus: How to Turn Off HEIC on iPhone

Earlier, we discussed all the possible methods to access HEIC images on your iPhone. If you want to avoid future issues with opening HEIC format files, you can choose to disable HEIC and switch to the more compatible JPG format.

To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > tap on "Camera" > select "Formats".

Step 2. Set the format to "Most Compatible" so that new photos will be saved in JPG format.

In a Nutshell

Why can't I open HEIC photos on iPhone? We have introduced the possible reasons and provided some effective solutions to solve this problem in this guide. Among them, Coolmuster HEIC Converter is the best solution, allowing you to put your worries about HEIC format issues aside. This tool helps you easily convert HEIC files to more compatible formats, ensuring that your photos can be viewed seamlessly on all devices.

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