Why iPhones save photos as HEIC

iPhones use HEIC as part of Apple's High Efficiency media approach, balancing storage use with image capabilities.

Choose the format for future captures

Apple documents the choice at Settings > Camera > Formats. In Apple's camera-format guidance, High Efficiency uses HEIF/HEVC and Most Compatible uses JPEG/H.264. Changing this setting affects photos and videos you take after the change; it does not change existing photos.

Why High Efficiency exists

Apple's HEIF session describes formats that can represent more than a simple still image. That flexibility can be useful on compatible devices, while also explaining why support differs between apps.

When Most Compatible is useful

Choose it for future captures if you routinely send new photos to older software or services that reject HEIC. The trade-off is storage and format features; it does not improve existing HEIC files. If compatibility problems are occasional, keep the original and create a JPEG copy only when needed.