High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIC) is a new image file type that was introduced by Apple in iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. HEIC files offer up to 2x better compression than JPEG files, allowing you to save storage space on your devices. However, since HEIC is relatively new, it has limited compatibility with other platforms like Android.
What are HEIC files?
HEIC (pronounced “heck”) files use the High Efficiency Image Format (HEIF) to store images and image sequences. HEIF was developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) as a new open standard for image compression.
Some key features of HEIC files include:
- High compression ratios – Up to 2x better than JPEG
- Support for high bit-depth images – Up to 16-bits per color channel
- Support for image sequences and animation
- Support for auxiliary data like alpha channel, depth map, audio etc.
The high compression in HEIC is achieved by using advanced compression standards like HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding). This allows HEIC files to offer substantially better compression than older standards like JPEG.
Are HEIC files supported on Android?
By default, most Android devices do not support viewing HEIC image files. This is because Android’s native image codecs do not support the HEIF standards used in HEIC files.
However, newer Android devices running Android 9 Pie or higher come with limited support for HEIC images. This is because Android Pie added native support for HEIF image decoding. So you will be able to view HEIC files on newer Android phones, but editing may be limited.
Here are some examples of HEIC support on major Android versions:
| Android Version | HEIC Support |
|---|---|
| Android 6.0 Marshmallow | No support |
| Android 7.0 Nougat | No support |
| Android 8.0 Oreo | Limited support via third-party apps |
| Android 9.0 Pie | Limited native support |
| Android 10 and above | Improved native support |
As you can see, HEIC has very limited compatibility on older Android versions. You may be able to view HEIC files on some custom Android ROMs that added HEIF support.
How to view HEIC files on Android
Here are some options to view HEIC images and photo sequences on Android:
Use a third-party gallery app
Several third-party Android apps have added support for HEIC files, even on older Android versions. Some apps like Google Photos, QuickPic, Piktures, and Simple Gallery can open HEIC files.
However, support may be limited to viewing only. Most apps don’t allow editing HEIC files.
Install a HEIC codec file
You can manually install a HEIC decoder file on your Android device. The codec allows other apps to recognize and open HEIC files. For example, installing a HEIC codec allows the native Android Gallery app to view HEIF images.
Note that you will need root access on your Android device to manually install a system-level codec file.
Convert HEIC to JPEG or PNG
An easy option is to simply convert your HEIC files to a more compatible format like JPEG or PNG:
- You can use free online HEIC converters to batch convert entire folders.
- On Mac or Windows, you can use Preview or Photos app to export HEIC as JPEG.
- There are also paid HEIC converter tools available.
The downside is that converting from HEIC will lose out on its compression benefits. But it ensures compatibility with Android.
HEIC support in major Android manufacturers
In addition to Android version, HEIC support also depends on individual device manufacturers. Some brands have added native HEIC support in their Android skins and apps.
Samsung
Most modern Samsung phones can view HEIC files in the native Gallery app. This includes flagship models like Galaxy S20 series and above running One UI 2 and newer. Lower-end models may lack HEIC support.
Xiaomi
Xiaomi added HEIC support in their MIUI Gallery app starting from MIUI 11/Android 10 based firmware. So Xiaomi phones like Redmi Note 9, Poco X3, Mi 10 etc. can view HEIC files.
OnePlus
OnePlus 8 series and newer models running OxygenOS 11 have HEIF support in the Gallery app. Older OnePlus phones lack built-in HEIC support.
Google Pixel
Google Pixel devices running Android 9 Pie and above reliably support HEIC due to Google’s native image stack. Pixel 4 and newer can view and edit HEIF images in the Photos app.
Other brands
Many other brands like Oppo, Vivo, Realme, Nokia etc. have also added HEIC support to their Android skins. But it depends on model, Android version and regional firmware. You may need to test view HEIC on your device.
Conclusion
To summarize, HEIC file support on Android is still limited despite being several years old. You will face issues viewing HEIC files, especially on older Android versions and non-flagship models.
For maximum compatibility, it’s best to convert HEIC images to JPEG or PNG before transferring to Android. Or use a cloud storage service like Google Photos that can transcode HEIC automatically.
However, major Android OEMs are steadily adopting HEIC support in system apps. So compatibility should improve in future as more devices upgrade to Android 10 and above.