HEIF Viewer
Open HEIF photos in any browser, check the details and save a copy.
Drop HEIF photos here or click to browse
Processing happens on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
100% Private
Files are processed locally in your browser. They never touch our servers.
Smart Defaults
Sensible settings are applied automatically. Fine tune them only if you want to.
Batch Processing
Drop multiple images at once and download everything together as a ZIP.
How to use HEIF Viewer
- Drop your images onto the page, or click to pick them from your device
- Use the default settings, or adjust the options for your file type and target result
- Download the finished images one by one, or save the full batch as a ZIP
What HEIF Viewer is for
Use this tool when you just need to open and check a .heif file, especially on Windows where the format often will not open. It decodes the photo in your browser, shows its dimensions and size, and lets you save a copy, with nothing uploaded.
- Open and view a .heif file on any device, including Windows and Chromebooks.
- Check a HEIF photo's dimensions and file size before converting it.
- Preview HEIF photos someone sent you without installing codecs.
- Save a quick PNG copy of a HEIF photo you only needed to look at.
Best practices for better results
Image optimization works best when you choose the right balance between file size, visual quality, dimensions, format compatibility and privacy. These tips help you get a cleaner result.
- Use the viewer to confirm a file really is HEIF before converting a whole batch.
- On Windows, the viewer avoids the paid HEVC extensions entirely.
- Save a PNG copy from the viewer when you want to keep what you opened.
- For many files, the converters are faster than opening them one at a time.
What happens to your images?
When you choose a file, your browser reads it locally and creates the processed version on your own device. CompressImage.ca does not receive the original image or the finished file.
That local-first approach is useful for personal photos, client work, screenshots, documents, product images and other files you do not want to upload to a third-party server.
When to use another tool
The best tool depends on what you are trying to fix. Compression reduces file size, resizing changes dimensions, conversion changes format, cropping changes framing, and metadata removal cleans hidden information from the file.
| Goal | Best tool |
|---|---|
| Make a file smaller | Compress Image |
| Hit an exact file size | Compress Image to Size |
| Change image dimensions | Resize Image |
| Create WebP files for websites | Convert to WebP |
| Convert iPhone photos | HEIC to JPG |
| Remove hidden photo data | Remove EXIF |
Related image tools
These tools solve similar image optimization problems and work the same way: locally in your browser, with no required upload.
- JFIF to JPG: Rename JFIF photos to standard JPG files
- JPEG to JPG: Save JPEG files with the standard .jpg extension
- SVG to JPG: Rasterise SVG vector files into JPG images
- GIF to JPG: Save the first frame of a GIF as a JPG
HEIF Viewer FAQ
What is a HEIF file?
HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) is a modern image container that stores photos at about half the size of a JPG. Many Android phones and cameras save in it, and Apple's HEIC is a version of the same standard.
How do I open a HEIF file on Windows?
Use this viewer to open it right in your browser, with no codecs or extensions to install. For a permanent fix, convert the photo to JPG or PNG once and it opens in every Windows app.
Can I view HEIF photos on Android, Mac or a Chromebook?
Yes. The viewer runs in any modern browser on any operating system, so the same link works on Android, ChromeOS, Linux, Mac and Windows.
Is my HEIF photo uploaded when I view it?
No. The file is decoded entirely in your browser using WebAssembly, so it never leaves your device, which makes the viewer safe for private photos, IDs and documents.