What the Heck is HEIC?

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Apple likes to be the pioneer with technology. Everyone else has to play catch up.

The default setting for iPhone and iPad photos using Apple’s iOS 11 and higher is the file format HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format), using the extension .HEIC. Unfortunately, this photo format is not compatible at this time with UNG computers running Windows 10.

What To Do

The simple solution is to ask your students to provide you with JPEG or PNG photographs.

Students can change the camera setting to take JPEG photos on an iPhone or iPad with iOS 11 or higher by following these steps:

  • Open “Setting.”
  • Select “Camera.”
  • Select “Most Compatible.”

All new photos will be taken in JPEG format until returned to the default High Efficiency setting. Keep in mind, JPEG images take up more disk space than photos taken in HEIF.

Photographs taken in HEIF can be automatically converted to JPEG when the image is transferred to a computer using a USB cable.

Follow these instructions:

  • On the iPhone or iPad, go to “Settings.”
  • Open “Photos.”
  • Under “Transfer to Mac or PC,” choose “Automatic.”

HEIF images will be converted to JPEG and can be uploaded from the computer to an eLearning@UNG module.

File conversion can also be preformed on a Mac running macOS High Sierra or later using the photo Preview software. Open the .HEIC file and export as a JPEG.

Of course, HEIF photos can be converted on a Windows 10 computer to JPEG or PNG format using Adobe Photoshop. If that’s not an option, you can at least view the image by uploading the photo to Microsoft’s OneDrive or Google Drive. After the file is uploaded, the image can be opened and viewed. Take a screenshot of the image if necessary.

HEVC Video

In addition to the photo format, Apple’s videos are recorded in .HEVC format. Kaltura, the multimedia platform used by UNG (click the My Media link in eLearning@UNG), works well with .HEVC videos. The smaller file size allows for a quicker upload.

Related Links

Using HEIF or HEVC media on Apple devices (on apple.com)

HEIF Imaging (on android.com)

How to disable Apple’s HEIF and HEVC formats in iOS (on macworld.com)