How to Open HEIC on Mac

"After updating to macOS 15, importing photos in HEIC format no longer works. A message appears stating that the HEIC format is not supported."

- Frustrated user on Affinity Forum

This common complaint highlights a growing issue for Mac users. While HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's preferred image format due to its small size and high quality, many users still face problems when trying to open or share HEIC files - especially after macOS updates or when using third-party apps.

So, how do you reliably open HEIC files on Mac, and what should you do when your system or app says they're not supported? This guide will walk you through native solutions and show you how to convert HEIC to JPG/PNG easily for full compatibility.

Part 1: How to Open HEIC Files on Mac (Built-in Solutions)

If you're using macOS High Sierra (10.13) or newer, your system has built-in support for HEIC. That means you can open these images directly through Apple's native apps - no extra software needed.

1. Open HEIC Files on Mac Using the Photos App

Apple's Photos app is the default gallery viewer for macOS. It handles HEIC files natively.

• Step 1.Open the Photos app on your Mac.

• Step 2.Drag and drop the HEIC files into the Photos window or import them via File > Import.

  

• Step 3.Once imported, you can view, edit, or organize your HEIC images as normal.

Note: If your macOS version is outdated, Photos might not recognize HEIC files properly.

2. Open HEIC Files via the Preview App

Preview is another built-in macOS utility that offers quick access to image files, including HEIC.

• Step 1.Locate your HEIC file in Finder.

• Step 2.Right-click the file and select Open With > Preview.

  

• Step 3.The image will open, and you can choose File > Export if you want to save it in another format.

This method is especially useful when you just need a quick look or basic editing.

Part 2: Common Issues Opening HEIC on Mac

Despite system-level support, many users still run into problems:

• HEIC files won't open at all - You may see error messages, especially after system updates or in older apps like Affinity Photo.
• Apps don't recognize HEIC format - Dragging a HEIC file into unsupported editors results in a blank or error.
• Sharing HEICs to non-Apple devices fails - HEIC is not universally supported, making sharing difficult.

If you work across multiple platforms, the most practical solution is to convert HEIC files into more common formats like JPG or PNG.

Part 3: How to Convert HEIC to JPG/PNG on Mac

The easiest way to ensure universal compatibility for HEIC photos is by converting them to a widely supported format such as JPG or PNG.

HitPaw Univd for Mac is a powerful multimedia toolkit for macOS that supports file conversion, video editing, audio extraction, compression, and much more. One of its most practical features is its Image Converter, which supports HEIC, TIFF, RAW, BMP, and other formats.

Key Features of the Image Converter:

• Batch convert HEIC to JPG, PNG, WEBP, and more
• Preserve original image quality
• Fast conversion speed with GPU acceleration
• Simple drag-and-drop interface
• Additional features include: image editor, image compressor, AI tools, etc.
• Work on both Windows and Mac systems

Steps to Convert HEIC to JPG/PNG with HitPaw UniVD

• Step 1.Download and launch HitPaw Univd on your Mac.

  
  

• Step 2.Launch the program on Mac, and go to the Photo tab in the Home screen. Choose Image Converter feature to get started.

  

• Step 3.Add HEIC files to the Image Converter screen. You can add many files as you want.

  

• Step 4.In the Convert all to option, choose an output image format you like. And define a directory path to save the converted files.

  

• Step 5.Click the Convert All button to start converting HEIC on Mac.

  

Part 4: FAQ

Conclusion

Opening HEIC files on a Mac is generally straightforward with built-in apps like Photos and Preview. However, compatibility issues may still arise, especially with third-party software or when sharing files externally.

For users who frequently handle HEIC images or need to convert them for broader usage, HitPaw Univd offers a simple, fast, and reliable solution. Its dedicated Image Converter handles batch processing with ease, supporting multiple formats and delivering high-quality results every time.