HEIF Image Extensions is the official extension for Windows that allows you to open photos in HEIF format. This format uses the same encoding algorithm as HEVC— the most widely used format for 4K videos and movies on the Internet. Thanks to it, a photo can be compressed in half the space occupied by a traditional JPEG while maintaining the same quality. At the same time, a file can be twice the quality while occupying the same amount of space as a JPEG.
Files using the HEIF codec are in .HEIF or .HEIC format. For the latter to work, the HEVC video codec must also be installed. With HEIF and HEIC, it is possible to encode photos, text, audio, interactive photos, and animations.
Many devices already offer the option to take photos in HEIF format by default. For example, iPhones use this format to take pictures that take up half the space while maintaining a very high level of quality. In order to be able to open these photos natively in Windows, it is necessary to install HEIF Image Extensions.
Therefore, if you want to use this format natively in Windows, you can download HEIF Image Extensions. You can also use other non-native programs that support different formats, but with HEIF Image Extensions, you can view these images in the Photos app.
