HEIF/HEIC
Also written: HEIF, HEIC
HEIF/HEIC are image file formats, often used by Apple devices, that offer better compression than JPEG.
HEIF and HEIC are modern image file formats. They are designed to store images more efficiently than older formats like JPEG. This means you can have higher quality images or the same quality images using less storage space.
Many newer smartphones, especially iPhones, use HEIC by default for photos. This helps save space on your device and makes sharing photos online faster. You can usually convert HEIC files to more common formats like JPEG if needed.
HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) and its primary profile HEIC (High Efficiency Image Coding) are container formats developed by MPEG. They leverage modern compression techniques, often based on HEVC (H.265) video compression, to achieve significantly better compression ratios than JPEG for comparable image quality. HEIF supports features like transparency, HDR, and sequences of images (like bursts or animations).
This term is relevant because AI models like Anthropic's Claude are being used to identify security vulnerabilities. This includes potential weaknesses in how data, including image files like HEIF/HEIC, is handled or secured by various systems.
- Researchers used Anthropic’s Claude to hack into OpenAIAnthropic · TechCrunch AI ·
- Anthropic Claude
- Anthropic's Claude was mentioned in the context of researchers using it to find security flaws, which could potentially involve image file formats like HEIF/HEIC.
- JPEG
- A widely used older image format that HEIF/HEIC generally offer better com
- PNG
- An image format known for lossless compression and transparency, often used
- GIF
- An older image format primarily used for simple animations and graphics wit
HEIF and HEIC were developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) as part of the MPEG-H standard. They were introduced as a more efficient alternative to JPEG. Source ↗
Take a photo on an iPhone and check its file size. Then, try taking a similar photo and converting it to JPEG using a built-in conversion option or a third-party app. Compare the file sizes to see the storage efficiency of HEIC. You can also try uploading a HEIC photo to a service that doesn't support it natively to see if conversion is needed.
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Questions people ask
- What is the main advantage of HEIF/HEIC over JPEG?
- HEIF/HEIC files offer better image compression, meaning they can store higher quality images or the same quality images in smaller file sizes compared to JPEG.
- Why don't all devices use HEIF/HEIC?
- While increasingly common, especially on Apple devices, older devices or software might not have native support for HEIF/HEIC, requiring conversion to more universal formats like JPEG.
First seen on Subvolts Sep 18, 2026. Updated Sep 25, 2026. Written by an AI model from the items above and reviewed against them weekly; report an error.