Software for HEIF, when a web page isn't enough

This site is the quick answer. For opening HEIC files straight from File Explorer, converting whole libraries, or editing, these are the programs we'd point a friend to.

None of these links pay us. If that changes, the link will be labelled.

Open HEIC files on Windows

HEIF Image Extensions

Microsoft · Free · Windows 10 and 11

Lets Photos and File Explorer open HEIF files. iPhone photos also need the HEVC Video Extensions, which Microsoft sells separately for about a dollar.

CopyTrans HEIC

CopyTrans · Free for personal use · Windows

Adds thumbnails and a right-click "Convert to JPEG" to File Explorer, without a store purchase.

Convert in bulk, offline

iMazing Converter

DigiDNA · Free · Mac and Windows

Drag a folder in, get JPEG or PNG out. A good fit for thousands of files at once.

XnConvert

XnSoft · Free for personal use · Windows, Mac and Linux

Batch converter with resize, rename and watermark steps you can save and reuse.

Edit and organise

Lightroom

Adobe · Subscription · Mac, Windows, iOS and Android

Imports HEIC directly and keeps the original next to your edits. Worth it if you already edit your photos.

GIMP

The GIMP Team · Free, open source · Windows, Mac and Linux

Opens and saves HEIF and AVIF. More editor than converter.

For developers

libheif

struktur AG · Free, open source · Any

The library this site runs in your browser. Its heif-convert and heif-enc commands work well in scripts.

ExifTool

Phil Harvey · Free, open source · Any

Reads and writes nearly every metadata field in nearly every format, HEIC included.