HEIC (High Efficiency Image Codec) or HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format), is a newer image format that was introduced by Apple in 2017 with the release of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. It offers several benefits over the older JPEG format, including smaller file sizes and improved image quality. However, it is not enabled by default on all iPhone models, so you may need to take a few extra steps to enable it. Here’s how to do it:
- First, make sure you have the latest version of iOS installed on your iPhone. HEIC support was introduced in iOS 11, so you’ll need to be running at least that version. To check which version of iOS you have, go to the Settings app, then tap General and Software Update. If an update is available, install it.
- Once you have the latest version of iOS, open the Settings app and tap Camera.
- Scroll down to the Formats section and tap Most Compatible.
- In the Formats menu, you should see an option to enable High Efficiency. Toggle this switch to the on position.
From now on, your iPhone will automatically save new photos in the HEIC format, rather than JPEG. If you have any older photos that you’d like to convert to HEIC, you can do so using a third-party app like iMazing HEIC Converter.
If you turn on HEIC, your iPhone will automatically save new photos in the HEIC format instead of JPEG. This can help save storage space on your device, as HEIC files are typically smaller than JPEG files.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all devices and software support HEIC. If you plan on sending a photo to someone who may not have a device or software that can open HEIC files, you may want to consider turning off HEIC and using JPEG instead.
To turn off HEIC and switch back to JPEG, simply follow the steps above and tap on Most Compatible instead of High Efficiency or read the in-depth guide HERE.
There are also several third-party apps available that can help you convert HEIC files to JPEG or other formats if needed. Some of these apps even offer the ability to batch convert multiple HEIC files at once, which can be convenient if you have a large number of photos that you need to convert.
In summary, turning on HEIC on your iPhone is a simple process that can help you save storage space and improve the quality of your photos. Just keep in mind that not all devices and software support HEIC, so you may need to convert your files if you plan on sharing them with others.
