The HEIC format was developed by the Moving Pictures Expert Group. However, it is particularly associated with Apple, which adopted the format for iPads and iPhones in 2017. Photos taken on iPhones and iPads will automatically be saved as HEIC files. The name stands for High Efficiency Image Container, and like the name suggests, they are container files that can hold images, videos, and even audio and captions. HEIC files also include metadata and the ability to revert to the original image after editing.

Apple adopted the HEIC format because it can save high quality photographs in a much smaller file size than the JPEG format. This allows users to save many more photos, and also to share them easily. The ‘burst’ feature on iOS takes multiple images in the same HEIC file. You can open HEIC files on any Apple device, but also in Windows 10 and later using Microsoft Photos with the HEIF Image Extensions browser extension, and with most photo editors, such as Adobe Photoshop and GIMP.