Can't Open HEIC Files? Why & How to Fix It?

Part 1. What Is a HEIC File and Why Can Programs & Devices Open It?

A HEIC file is an advanced image format released in 2017. HEIC is an abbreviated form of High Efficiency Image Container, also called High Efficiency Image Coding. It is built around the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) interval created by MPEG. With iOS 11, Apple became the first company to make HEIC the default photo format across iPhones and iPads.

The key advantage of HEIC is its high compression efficiency. HEIC images consume approximately half the storage capacity compared to JPEG files but with the same or even better image quality. More than just the image data, HEIC files may contain valuable information like date, location, transparency, and depth data that are suited to modern photography.

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HEIF vs HEIC: Understand Differences & Which Format You Should Use

Why Can Programs & Devices Open HEIC Files?

HEIC is supported, but only on modern systems or with the right codecs.

Devices That Can Open HEIC Files

• iPhone & iPad (iOS 11+)
• Mac (macOS High Sierra 10.13+)
• Windows 10/11 (with HEIF image extensions installed)
• Android 9+ (limited support)

Programs That Can Open HEIC Files

• Apple Photos and Preview
• Windows Photos (with HEIF extension)
• Google Photos
• Adobe Lightroom
• Adobe Photoshop (open only, limited save support)
• Affinity Photo
• GIMP
• Paint.net
• IrfanView (with HEIC plugin)
• Cloud services like Google Photos and Dropbox

If support is missing, users face issues like Windows Photos not opening HEIC files or IrfanView not opening HEIC.

⚡ Part 2. Can't Open HEIC Files on Windows 10/11 or Android? N Fixes Here (Most Common Case)

Windows users frequently encounter frustration when they cannot open HEIC files on their computers. This compatibility issue stems from several key factors. Windows 10 versions before the April 2018 Update (version 1803) lack native HEIC support entirely. Moreover, even newer Windows versions require additional codecs to interpret this format properly. Without these codecs installed, Windows simply cannot decode HEIC images.

Below are the most effective and practical fixes, explained step by step.

Fix 1: Install HEIF Image Extensions

This is the most important fix for Windows users. Windows 10 and Windows 11 require a codec called HEIF Image Extensions to decode HEIC images. Without it, Windows Photos won’t open HEIC files. Once installed, Windows Photos can open HEIC files normally.

Steps:

• Open the HEVC Video Extensions page in the Microsoft Store.

• Click the “Get in Store app” button

• The Microsoft Store will open automatically

• Click "Get" or 'Install'

• Wait for the installation to complete.

  

This free solution enables Windows Photos to display HEIC files directly without conversion.

Fix 2: Batch Convert HEIC to JPG Using 4DDiG Image Format Converter (Fast & Safe)

If you still can’t open HEIC file on PC or don’t want to deal with codecs and plugins, converting HEIC to JPG is the most stable and universal solution. JPG works on all devices, apps, and operating systems without any extra requirements.

This is where 4DDiG Photo Repair becomes extremely useful. 4DDiG Photo Repair comes with a built-in but powerful Image Format Converter that lets you convert HEIC, BMP, CR2, PNG to JPG quickly, safely, and in batches. Even better, it works even when Windows Photos not opening HEIC files or when HEIC previews fail.

Why use a 4DDiG Image Format Converter?

• Batch conversion supported
• Convert dozens or hundreds of photos at once
• Keep original image quality with no compression loss
• Convert HEIC even if the file won’t open on Windows
• Work with multiple formats: BMP, HEIC, CR2, and PNG

Steps:

• Download and launch 4DDiG Photo Repair, then go to "More Repair Tools," and select "Image Format Converter."

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• Click "Add Files" or simply drag and drop one or multiple HEIC images into the program.

  

• Choose "JPG" as the output format and click "Convert." The tool will instantly start batch converting all HEIC files without losing quality.

  

• Once finished, preview the converted JPG images to make sure everything looks correct. Click “Save” and choose a location on your computer to export all converted images together.

  

This method is ideal if you’re facing issues like heic file not opening in Windows 10/11, can’t open HEIC file on PC, or need a quick, long-term solution for HEIC compatibility.

Fix 3: Use Third-Party HEIC Viewers

If you only need to view HEIC files and don’t want to convert them, third-party HEIC viewers are a practical option. Some Windows image viewers can open HEIC files once the correct plugin is installed.

• IrfanView: Install both the main application and its HEIC plugin
• CopyTrans HEIC: Enables HEIC support on Windows and allows right-click conversion
• XnView: Supports numerous file formats including HEIC.

Steps to Open HEIC in IrfanView

• Install IrfanView on your Windows PC.

• Download and install the "CopyTrans HEIC codec."

• On Windows 10/11, you can also install the HEIC codec from the Microsoft Store.

• Restart your computer if needed.

• Right-click the HEIC file and open it with "IrfanView."

  

This fix helps when Windows Photos not opening HEIC files, but you still want a lightweight viewing solution.

Fix 4: Open HEIC Files Using Google Photos (for Android Users)

Android users often face HEIC compatibility issues after receiving images from iPhone users.Google Photos provides a cloud-based solution that supports HEIC automatically. It’s a convenient option if you don’t want to install extra software or codecs.

Steps: Steps:

• Install and open Google Photos on your Android phone.

• Find the images under Library or Photos.

• Tap to preview the HEIC files.

• View or download in more compatible formats if needed.

  

This cross-platform solution works especially well within the Google ecosystem.

Part 3. HEIC Files Not Opening on iPhone? (4 Proven Fixes)

Ironically, even on Apple's native platforms, users occasionally struggle with HEIC files not opening properly.

Several factors contribute to this issue on iPhones and Macs. Outdated iOS/macOS versions lacking proper HEIC support, corrupted image files, incorrect camera settings, and iCloud syncing problems frequently cause these difficulties.

Fix 1: Check Camera Settings & Restart

Sometimes, HEIC images not opening on iPhone are caused by minor system glitches or misconfigurations of the camera format. Restarting the device refreshes system processes, while confirming the camera format ensures HEIC files are saved and recognized properly. This is one of the easiest and safest fixes to try first.

• Open “Settings,” tap “Camera,” then choose“Formats.”

• Select “High Efficiency” for HEIC format support

• If problems persist, toggle to “Most Compatible” (JPEG).

  

• Quickly press Volume Up, then Volume Down. After that, hold the Side button until the Apple logo shows up.

This combination ensures your device captures images in a compatible format while clearing temporary memory issues.

Fix 2: Convert HEIC to JPG Directly on iPhone

If HEIC photos still won’t open, converting them to JPG is a quick workaround. JPG is universally supported, so converting can instantly resolve cases where you can’t open HEIC file on iPhone or when sharing photos across devices. iOS offers built-in ways to convert without extra apps.

Steps:

For problematic existing HEIC files:

• Open the Files app and go to "On My iPhone" (or iCloud Drive).

  

• Create a "new folder" and name it.

  

• Open the Photos app and choose the HEIC images you want to convert.

• Tap "Share" and then "Copy Photos."

• Return to the Files app, open the new folder, long-press an empty area, and then tap "Paste."

  

That’s it! The photos will be pasted and automatically converted from HEIC to JPG, ready to open or share.

Fix 3: Open HEIC Files Using the Preview or Photos App (Native Support)

On macOS, HEIC files are supported natively. However, users still report cases where they cannot open HEIC file on Mac, often due to app conflicts or minor file errors. Using Apple’s built-in apps is the safest solution.

Steps on Mac:

• Right-click the HEIC file

• Select “Open With” and then choose “Preview.”

• At the top menu, click "File," then "Export."

• Choose "JPEG" from the Format list.

• Use the "Quality slider" to adjust image quality (higher quality means a larger file size).

  

• If you want, rename the file and choose where to save it.

• Finally, click "Save."

If Preview fails, the HEIC file may be corrupted or your macOS version may be outdated. This uses Apple's built-in HEIC support to handle files natively.

Fix 4: Restart & Update iOS/macOS

Outdated software is one of the biggest reasons users report heic images not opening on iphone or HEIC files failing on Mac. Apple continuously improves HEIC decoding with system updates. Restarting clears memory conflicts, while updating ensures full format support.

Steps:

• For iOS: Navigate to “Settings,” then tap “General,” then choose “Software Update.”

  

• For macOS: Click the Apple menu, then choose “About This Mac,” then click “Software Update.”

• Download and install available updates.

• Restart your device after updating

Furthermore, signing out and back into your Apple ID can resolve iCloud syncing issues that block HEIC access. This fix resolves most cases where users can’t open HEIC file on iPhone or Mac due to outdated system components.

Part 4. Advanced Tip: Repair Corrupted HEIC Files When It Is Not Opening

HEIC and HEIF files, widely used by iPhones and modern cameras, deliver high image quality with smaller file sizes, but they can become corrupted due to transfer failures, storage issues, system crashes, or compatibility problems, especially on Windows, making them unopenable in standard viewers. 4DDiG Photo Repair, not only an image format converter but also an AI-powered tool, effectively fixes severely damaged photos, with its Advanced Repair feature capable of restoring even completely unopenable HEIC/HEIF files.

Steps to repair corrupted HEIC files:

• Download and start 4DDiG Photo Repair on your computer. Choose “Photo Repair.” Click on the “Add Files” button to upload your damaged HEIC files.

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• Choose "Repair All" to start analyzing and fixing the images.

  

• Preview the repaired files before saving. Click on “save” to export the successfully recovered images.

  

TIP:

HEIC files often will not open on a device. To reduce such problems in the future, it may be advisable to repair and convert them into JPG using 4DDiG Photo Repair.

The innovative approach can render 4DDiG Photo Repair a simple, efficient means of restoring corrupted HEIC pictures without any technical expertise.

People Also Ask about Can't Open HEIC Files Issue

Yes, Windows 10 (1803+) and Windows 11 can open HEIC files, but you may need to install HEIF Image Extensions (and sometimes HEVC Video Extensions) from the Microsoft Store.

No, not all computers support HEIC by default. MacOS High Sierra (10.13+) supports HEIC natively, while Windows and Linux systems usually need extra extensions or third-party software.

Yes, Android 10 and newer versions can open HEIC photos natively using apps like Google Photos or Files by Google. Older Android versions may need third-party apps.

Yes, Photoshop can open HEIC files if the required system support is installed. Windows needs HEIF extensions, while macOS supports HEIC natively.

Conclusion

If you can’t open HEIC file on Windows 11/10, iPhone, or Mac, the issue is usually compatibility or corruption. Installing codecs, using supported apps, or converting files solves most cases. 4DDiG Photo Repair is highly recommended for damaged images or persistent errors. It is one of the most reliable solutions for converts, repairs, and restores HEIC photos quickly and safely.