lookup> .heic

.HEIC·File Extension

HEIC ImageHigh-efficiency image container used by Apple devices for photos.

Extension.heic
File typeHEIC Image
MIME typeimage/heic
CategoryImage
Charset
Compressible
Format familyheic

What is a .heic file?

A .heic file is a HEIC Image — High-efficiency image container used by Apple devices for photos.

In the mime-db registry it maps to image/heic. When serving .heic over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.

Related entities: it maps to image/heic — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.

  • Use Preview or Photoshop to open and edit .heic files.
  • Any text editor (Notepad, VS Code) can inspect the raw content as text.

When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:

Content-Type: image/heic

Common software that reads/writes .heic:

PreviewPhotoshopCopyTrans HEIC
.heicextension of
format
heicserved as
mime type
image/heicsent via header
http header
  • Web graphics and photos
  • Design assets and icons
  • Print and photography
  • Open the file with Preview, make your changes and save.
  • Most editors preserve the original formatting and encoding — avoid changing the charset.
  • Create a new file and save it with the .heic extension, or export this format from Preview.

What programs can open .heic files?

Common options include Preview, Photoshop, CopyTrans HEIC. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.

How do I create a .heic file?

Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .heic extension.

What is the relationship between .heic and the image/heic MIME type?

image/heic is the media type identifier used for .heic files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).

Updated 2026-08-18

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