When was HEIC introduced?

HEIC was introduced by Apple at their Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2017. It was then released to the public in September 2017 as part of iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. This marked the first major implementation of the HEIF standard, which had been finalized by MPEG in 2015.

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is Apple's modern image format used on iPhones and iPads running iOS 11 or later. It offers better compression than JPEG while maintaining higher image quality, allowing more photos to be stored in less space. However, this format isn't universally supported outside the Apple ecosystem, which is why our converter is essential for sharing and viewing these images.

Can HEIC be converted to JPG?

Yes, HEIC files can be easily converted to JPG format using our online converter which processes files directly in your browser for privacy. The conversion maintains excellent image quality while creating files that can be opened anywhere. Simply drag and drop your HEIC files, and our converter will quickly transform them into JPG format that works universally across all devices and platforms.

Why convert HEIC to JPG?

Converting HEIC to JPG ensures universal compatibility across all devices, platforms, and applications. While HEIC offers better compression, JPG is the standard format supported everywhere - from social media platforms to email services, Windows PCs to Android devices. Our browser-based converter provides the simplest way to transform your HEIC files into universally accessible JPG images without sacrificing quality.

Can HEIC files be opened on Windows?

Windows 10 and 11 can open HEIC files after installing additional components, but this approach has limitations and may require payment. The simplest solution is to convert HEIC files to JPG using our converter, which works on any device with a modern web browser without installing additional software. This creates standard JPG files that open perfectly on Windows and can be used with any application.

When Was HEIC Created? The History of Apple's Image Format

Q: When was HEIC created?

HEIC was officially introduced to the public in 2017 when Apple announced it would be the default image format for iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. The underlying HEIF standard was finalized in 2015 by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), but it was Apple's implementation as HEIC in 2017 that brought the format into widespread use.

Q: When did HEIC come out?

HEIC came out in September 2017 with the public release of iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. Apple had announced the format a few months earlier at their Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2017. From this point forward, photos taken on iPhone 7 and newer devices would be saved in HEIC format by default, rather than JPEG.

The Short Answer: HEIC Was Introduced in 2017

HEIC was officially introduced to the public in 2017 when Apple announced it would be the default image format for iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra. However, the development of the underlying technology began several years earlier.

HEIC Timeline at a Glance

2013-2015: Development of the HEIF standard by MPEG
2015: HEIF standard officially finalized and published
June 2017: Apple announces HEIC at WWDC 2017
September 2017: Public release with iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra
2018-Present: Gradual improvement and wider adoption

The Development of HEIF: The Foundation of HEIC

To understand when HEIC was created, we need to look at the development of HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format), the standard upon which HEIC is based.

2013-2015: Development Phase

The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), the same organization responsible for popular video formats like MP4, began developing the HEIF standard around 2013. The goal was to create a more efficient image format that could leverage the advances in compression technology that had been developed for video.

2015: HEIF Standard Finalized

In 2015, the HEIF standard was officially finalized and published as MPEG-H Part 12 (ISO/IEC 23008-12). This established the technical specifications that would later be implemented as HEIC.

Apple's Adoption of HEIF as HEIC

While the HEIF standard was created in 2015, it wasn't until Apple adopted it that the format gained widespread attention.

June 2017: WWDC Announcement

Apple officially announced their implementation of HEIF, which they called HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container), at their Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2017. They revealed that HEIC would become the default image format for photos taken on iOS devices.

September 2017: Public Release

HEIC was officially released to the public with iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra in September 2017. From this point forward, photos taken on iPhone 7 and newer devices would be saved in HEIC format by default, rather than JPEG.

The introduction of HEIC in iOS 11 marked one of the most significant changes to how photos are stored on mobile devices since the adoption of JPEG in the early days of digital photography.

Why Did Apple Create HEIC?

Apple didn't create the underlying HEIF standard, but they were the first major company to widely implement it as HEIC. Their reasons included:

Storage efficiency: HEIC files are about half the size of equivalent JPEG files, allowing users to store more photos on their devices
Better quality: HEIC supports higher color depth and better detail preservation than JPEG
Advanced features: Support for transparency, multiple images, and depth information enabled new features like Live Photos and portrait mode effects
Future-proofing: Adopting a more modern format positioned Apple at the forefront of imaging technology

Evolution and Adoption Since Creation

Since its introduction in 2017, HEIC has evolved in several ways:

2018: Wider Apple Ecosystem Integration

Apple expanded HEIC support across their ecosystem, improving integration with Photos app, iCloud, and macOS.

2019-2020: Improved Compatibility

As HEIC became more common, other platforms began adding support. Microsoft added native HEIC support to Windows 10, and various third-party applications began supporting the format.

2021-Present: Mainstream Awareness

HEIC has become increasingly mainstream, with more users aware of the format and its benefits. However, compatibility remains a challenge outside the Apple ecosystem.

HEIC Today: Widespread but Not Universal

Today, HEIC is the default image format for billions of Apple devices worldwide. However, despite being created several years ago, HEIC still faces compatibility challenges with many non-Apple platforms and services.

This is why our free online HEIC to JPG converter remains an essential tool for many users. It allows you to easily convert HEIC files to the universally compatible JPG format without installing any software or compromising your privacy.

The Future of HEIC

Since its creation in 2017, HEIC has established itself as an important image format, particularly within the Apple ecosystem. Looking forward, we can expect:

Continued improvements to the format and its implementation
Gradually increasing support across more platforms and applications
Potential competition from other modern formats like AVIF

However, for the foreseeable future, there will likely continue to be situations where converting HEIC to JPG is necessary for compatibility reasons.

Conclusion: HEIC's Creation and Evolution

HEIC was created and introduced to the public in 2017 as Apple's implementation of the HEIF standard (which was finalized in 2015). In the years since its creation, HEIC has become the default image format for billions of Apple devices, offering significant advantages in terms of file size and image quality.

While HEIC continues to gain support across more platforms, our free online HEIC to JPG converter provides a simple, secure solution for those times when you need to convert HEIC files for compatibility with platforms and services that don't yet support this relatively new format.