Guides
How to View HEIC Files on Any Device
A quick reference for opening HEIC photos on iPhone, Mac, Windows, Android, Linux and Chromebooks — plus a universal option that works in any browser.
· 2 min read
HEIC Viewer
Open and view HEIC photos in any browser — no app or codec to install. See dimensions, camera details and whether the photo contains a location.
Processed locally in your browser
Converted on your device. Your photos never leave this browser.
How to use the HEIC Viewer
- 1
Open a HEIC file
Drop a .heic or .heif photo onto the viewer or choose it from your device.
- 2
View and zoom
The photo is rendered in your browser. Switch between fit-to-screen and actual size.
- 3
Check details or save
Review the camera, date and location data, and download the photo as a JPG if you like.
Why use this tool
- Nothing to installWorks on Windows, Chromebooks, Linux and Android where HEIC often doesn't open.
- See the metadataCamera model, lens, exposure, date taken and colour profile at a glance.
- Location checkFind out whether a photo stores GPS coordinates before you share it.
- Completely privateThe file is opened locally; it is never uploaded.
Open HEIC files on any computer
Windows needs extra extensions to display HEIC images, and many Android apps, Chromebooks and Linux programs can't open them at all. The HEIC.IS viewer decodes the file inside your browser, so it works anywhere a modern browser runs.
What the viewer shows
Along with the full-resolution image, the viewer lists the information stored in the file:
- Dimensions and megapixels of the primary image;
- Camera and lens, such as the iPhone model and which of its cameras took the photo;
- Date and time taken;
- Exposure settings — shutter speed, aperture, ISO and focal length;
- Colour profile — whether a profile such as Display P3 is embedded;
- Location — whether GPS coordinates are stored in the photo.
The viewer only reads this information; it doesn't send it anywhere.
Why check for location data?
If location services are enabled for the Camera app, every photo stores the exact place it was taken. That's useful in your own library, but it can reveal your home or workplace when you share photos online. Use the viewer to check, then convert with Remove location in the HEIC to JPG converter to share a clean copy.
Files with multiple images
HEIC is a container that can hold several images, such as bursts or image sequences. The viewer shows the primary image and tells you how many images the file contains.
Frequently asked questions
How can I open a HEIC file without installing software?
Drop it onto the HEIC viewer on this page. The image is decoded in your browser and displayed immediately.
Can I see where a photo was taken?
The viewer tells you whether GPS coordinates are stored in the file. It doesn't upload the file or look up the address.
Can I save the photo as JPG from the viewer?
Yes. After the photo opens, use the Download JPG button. For batches, use the HEIC to JPG converter.
Does the viewer work on Android?
Yes, it works in Chrome and other modern browsers on Android.
Related guides
Image formats
What Is HEIF? The High Efficiency Image File Format Explained
HEIF is the image container standard behind HEIC, AVIF and camera .HIF files. Learn what it is, who created it, what it can store and where it's supported.
· 2 min read
Image formats
Why Does the iPhone Use HEIC Instead of JPG?
Apple switched the iPhone camera to HEIC in 2017. Here's why — storage, image quality, modern camera features and hardware support — and what it means for you.
· 2 min read