iPhone Tips

How to Open HEIC File on Mac - 3 Methods

Took a great shot on your iPhone and now wondering how to open HEIC file on Mac? You've come to the right spot! One of the most significant enhancements to Apple's devices is the new picture file format known as HEIC. While iOS devices can currently access this new file type, Mac users may have difficulty seeing these files, especially those running on old OS versions.

And if you're unaware of how to open the HEIC files on Mac, don't worry. This article will discover the finest ways to Open HEIC File on Mac. Let's get going!

open heic file on mac

Part 1: Open HEIC File on Mac Using Photos App

Part 2: Open HEIC Photos on Mac via Preview App

Part 3: Open HEIC on Mac by Cloud Services

Part 4: FAQs

Part 1: Open HEIC File on Mac Using Photos App

If you're a Mac user, you've probably used the Photo app. This software allows you to view and modify HEIC files on the Mac in various ways.

To open the HEIC file on your MacBook using the Photos app, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Start the Photos app on your Mac by clicking on the app icon on your Dock, or you can search for Photos in Launchpad and then open it from there.

click on photos app

Step 2: After the application has started, choose the Import option from the File menu at the top by clicking on it. It will allow you to add new images to the albums that you have.

select import

Step 3: Find the HEIC files you want to add to the app, select them by clicking on them, and then tap the Review for Import button to finish adding the files.

Step 4: The application will import the HEIC files that you choose. After they have been imported, you should be able to view them like you see other photos.

heic photo in the photos app

Part 2: Open HEIC Photos on Mac via Preview App

The preview app on your Mac can be used to open HEIC files. Preview supports HEIC files on the Mac, and you can also set it as the default reader for your HEIC images.

To open the HEIC files on your Mac using the Preview App, follow these steps:

Step 1: Locate the HEIC files stored on your MacBook.

Step 2: Now, right-click on the HEIC file you wish to open.

Step 3: Now, select the Open With option from the menu, and click on Preview from the drop-down menu.

click on preview

Part 3: Open HEIC on Mac by Cloud Services

If the above methods don't work, you can refer to Cloud services to open the HEIC file on your Mac. Cloud services, like Dropbox or Google Drive, now support the HEIC file. So, even if you are not using the macOS High Sierra or any later version, you can go to your browser and view the HEIC file with ease.

To open the HEIC file on your Mac using Cloud services, follow these steps:

Step 1: Refer to your preferred browser and go to Dropbox or Google Drive.

Note: You can also download the Dropbox or Google Drive app on your Mac.

Step 2: Upload the HEIC file you wish to view to the cloud service.

Step 3: Once the file is completely uploaded to your cloud service, click on the HEIC file to open and view it.

click on heic image

Part 4: FAQs

1. How to open HEIC files on Windows?

If you wish to open the HEIC file on your Windows PC, you need to install the HEIF image extensions, but this method only works for Windows 10 and 11 PC. PCs with Windows 7 or 8 installed need a quality converter, such as Wondershare MobileTrans, to convert their HEIC files into JPG format to open and view them.

2. How to Fix can't open HEIC on Mac?

You need to update your macOS version if you cannot open the HEIC file on your MacBook. However, if you're on the latest version, close the file and open it again. And if none of them works for you, use any quality converter to convert the HEIC file to a supported format.

3. How do I stop saving iPhone photos in HEIC format?

Since not every computer supports HEIC format, you must want to stop the iPhone from saving photos in HEIC format. You must switch from the High-Efficiency option to the Most Compatible in your Photos settings.

Conclusion

HEIC format lets you capture high-quality photos in a reduced size. Unfortunately, even though iOS devices are compatible with this version, Mac running on the old macOS version is not able to view them. But you can use the methods discussed in this article to Open HEIC File on Mac without any difficulty.

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