This is a problem that happens more frequently than you think. In fact, it is likely that you have been in this situation yourself: we have a smartphone whose camera captures images in HEIF format and, when it comes to transfer photos to PC, we ran into compatibility issues. There is no way to open them, not even using external applications. So, how to open HEIF images in Windows?
The curious thing about this problem is that it is a relatively new issue. In its early days, these types of files were perfectly compatible with Windows 10. It was Microsoft who made life difficult for us by extracting the codec and offering it separately for a fee in its app store.
On the other hand, the fact that more and more mobile devices use HEIF files also has a reason. Apparently, there are many who fervently believe that This format will end up replacing the JPG format in the medium term. So it would be something like a bet for the future, although whether this will happen is very debatable.
What is the HEIF format?
The creator of the HEIF format was a company called Motion Picture Experts Group, but when it began to gain relevance was from 2017, when Apple announced its plans to adopt a high-efficiency image file format (High Efficiency Image File) as a standard format for the future. On the purely technical side, HEIF files compress much better than other formats such as JPG, PNG or GIF.
HEIF files also support metadata, thumbnails, and other unique features such as non-destructive editing. On the other hand, Apple's HEIF images have the extension HEIC for audiovisual files. They are widely used on Apple devices, such as iPhone and iPad, although they also work on some Android devices.
No matter how good the invention is, the harsh reality is that it generates numerous incompatibility problems. And not only on Windows, but also on old versions of iOS, specifically those prior to iOS 11. But since this blog is dedicated to issues related to the Microsoft operating system, we will discuss below the solutions we have to open HEIF images on Windows:
With Dropbox, Google Drive or One Drive
To open a HEIF file without complications, the easiest thing to do is resort to the services of programs such as Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive, which we probably already use for other purposes. Here we are not going to find any compatibility problem, since these platforms are true "all-rounders" that incorporate compatible viewers.
All of them can open and display images in the HEIF format (and many others) without problems. You just have to select the file and use the open option.
Through online converters and applications
Web pages to convert formats online are a very practical resource that can be very useful in certain occasions. If you're trying to go from HEIF to JPG, here are some good options:
Convertio
the way to use Convertio To convert HEIF files to JPG is very simple: first we select the files from the computer, then we choose the output format (there are up to 200 possibilities) and finally we download the converted file
Link: Convertio
AnyConv
Another good option is AnyConv, an online converter that we have already referred to other times in this blog. It works in a similar way to Convertio, very quickly and with good results.
Link: AnyConv
But if it is to open HEIF images in Windows from the mobile phone, it is more practical use apps. In general, they are free and very easy to use. One of the best we can use is this: HEIC to JPG Converter.
Change phone settings
The great advantage of HEIC files over JPG is that they take up less space on our devices without losing any quality. But if the question of space is not decisive for us, there is a solution that can work: access the mobile configuration settings and disable images in high efficiency. In the "Formats" section we will choose the most compatible type (JPG) instead of the demanding HEIC.
Last resort: Download the codec
Finally, we present the most direct, simple and safe way to eliminate incompatibilities in Windows when downloading HEIC files: download codec. The only downside is that it will cost us money, although not too much. Only 0,99 euros, which is what Microsoft charges for it.
Being the native solution, its main advantage over classic converters is that any photography application installed on our computer will be able to open HEIF images without having to do anything.
It must be explained that this is an extension designed so that manufacturers can install the codec in their products before they go on sale. The main problem is that, at the moment, it is only possible to download it through a gift code.