Open photos in HEIF / HEIC format on Windows

With iOS 11, a new feature has entered the Standard. These are the photos in HEIF (o HEIC). This proprietary format from Apple adds a nice layer of quality and compression, much higher than the old format JPEG. However, it can only be read by iOS 11 or MacOS High Sierra. The time has come to understand how we can have these photos read under Windows or other devices.

Index

• So let's see what we can do to read these photos on our Windows PC:
  • Solution # 1: Turn off saving in HEIF / HEIC format.
  • Solution # 2: Convert your HEIF / HEIC content to JPEG.
  • Solution # 3: If you have a MAC switch to MacOS High Sierra

So let's see what we can do to read these photos on our Windows PC:

Solution # 1: Turn off saving in HEIF / HEIC format.

While this eliminates most of the advantages that HEIF can give, it will give you the ability to see your photos anywhere. Go to the settings and then to your Camera options. Under the formats section you will find a couple of very useful settings: one to enable the HEIF (High Efficiency) format and one to save in the old JPEG (Most Compatible) format. This will save all the photos and videos in a more acceptable and more shared format among the many devices on the market. Keep in mind that only what you save from that moment on will be in compatible format, all old content will remain in HEIF.

Solution # 2: Convert your HEIF / HEIC content to JPEG.

This is if you still have old photos left in HEIF or if you want to continue using that format but still occasionally need to see them on your Windows. There aren't many tools out there, but some programs and services are available (read here). With the HEIC to JPG converter you will be able to convert all your photos to the famous JPEG format at no additional cost, just have a little patience as you pass them all through the service.

For videos in HEVC format, on the other hand, we recommend getting a good converter as the ultimate video converter.

Solution # 3: If you have a MAC switch to MacOS High Sierra

Through a Mac of someone you know, or by installing MacOS High Sierra in a virtual machine. High Sierra is the only version currently compatible with the HEIF format and Apple's new video format. While this possibility is one of the most difficult, it is not impossible.

At the moment there are no universal tools provided by Apple or Microsoft to read this new type of File, but who knows: maybe in the future, perhaps through iTunes, we will be given this possibility.

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