HEIF Image — High Efficiency Image Format container standardized by MPEG.
Quick facts
What is .heif
A .heif file is a HEIF Image — High Efficiency Image Format container standardized by MPEG.
In the mime-db registry it maps to image/heif. When serving .heif over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to image/heif — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .heif files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: image/heif
Common software that reads/writes .heif:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Common uses
How to edit .heif files
How to create .heif files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include Preview, Photoshop. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.
Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .heif extension.
image/heif is the media type identifier used for .heif files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-08-18
Explore this reference