[Solved 2024] Why is HEIC Not Opening on iPhone?

HEIC stands for High-Efficiency Image Codec, which is Apple’s default photo format. This format contributes to taking up less room on iPhones while retaining high detail of photos, optimizing image quality. When Apple adopted HEIC, millions of users stored their photos in this format. Meanwhile, many iOS users encountered problems with HEIC, like HEIC not opening on iPhones. This difficulty may affect users when they want to view, transfer, or share these HEIC files. In this article, we’ll explore possible reasons why this happens and list some useful solutions.

Why is HEIC Not Opening on iPhone?

Before discussing solutions for HEIC files not opening on iPhones, users in trouble need to learn about the reasons. Knowing why you cannot open HEIC photos on the iPhone can help you solve the problem in a more targeted way. Let’s learn the possible reasons below:

• Outdated iOS Version: Apple adopted the HEIC format starting with iOS 11, which means versions older than iOS 11 may not fully support HEIC images.
• File Corruption During Transfer: If HEIC files get corrupted during transferring via AirDrop, email, or third-party apps, they will be unopenable on the target iPhone.
• Unsupported Apps or Settings: Some third-party apps may not be compatible with the HEIC format. Similarly, incorrect photo settings on your phone can interfere with HEIC functionality.
• Outdated iOS Software: iOS software without necessary updates and improvements for handling HEIC files may also cause the problem of HEIC not opening on iPhone.
• Disabled iMessage: iPhones may be unable to receive complex HEIC formats through traditional text messaging when iMessage is not enabled.
• Sync Issues with iCloud: If your HEIC files are synced to iCloud but not downloaded locally, you may see only placeholders that can’t be opened without an internet connection.

Having known some possible reasons for  HEIC not opening on iPhone, it’s time to move to the Solutions to Fix the “HEIC Not Opening on iPhone” Problem.

How to Fix HEIC Not Opening on iPhone Problem

We have mentioned most possible reasons why HEIC not opening on iPhone above. Different methods exist to deal with different reasons. Now we will walk you through some solutions in the following article. You can choose the most suitable method for your iPhone according to different scenarios.

Way 1. Update Your iPhone’s iOS Version

We have mentioned that only iOS 11 and above versions support HEIC files. Therefore, if your iPhone version is older than iOS 11, you can try to update your iPhone’s version in the below step:

Step 1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Step 2. Tap Download and Install.

In these steps, you can update your iPhone to ensure it has the latest bug fixes and format support, including for HEIC files. And then, you can open HEIC photos normally on your iPhone. If your iPhone has been with the latest version, you can try other methods.

Way 2. Check Your Photo Settings

As we have discussed, incorrect photo settings can also make HEIC not open on iPhones. You can check your photo settings in the following steps to help you open HEIC files successfully.

Step 1. Open Settings > Camera > Formats.

Step 2. Choose High Efficiency for HEIC. If you encounter repeated issues, switch to Most Compatible (JPEG).

This method can ensure your future photos are saved in a compatible format for all apps. If this way also does not work, you may need some third-party assistance.

Way 3. Convert HEIC to JPG/PNG via AnyTrans

If the problem persists, converting the photos from HEIC to JPG might solve the HEIC not opening on iPhone problem, and  AnyTrans is your best choice. AnyTrans is an all-in-one iOS manager software designed to help users handle data transfer across devices, and it has been updated to support the latest iOS 18. Its powerful ability to convert HEIC files to JPG is one of its standout features, which can perfectly solve the HEIC not opening on iPhone problem. Besides, Anytrans contains various effective functions. Whether you’re transferring data between iPhones, Android phones, or computers, AnyTrans can simplify the process for you without privacy invasion.

The stepwise guidance on how to convert HEIC to JPG via Anytrans is as follows:

Step 1. Download and install AnyTrans on your computer. Launch Anytrans after installation.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and transfer the HEIC photos you want to convert to your computer.

Step 3. Click Image Converter in the Utilities section.

Step 4. Drag and drop the HEIC files or click to select multiple files for batch conversion.

Step 5. Choose the correct output format.

Step 6. Click Convert and select the output folder as you want.

Step 7. After the conversion is completed, you can see the interface below and view the converted photos in the selected folder.

With its user-friendly interface and easy steps, AnyTrans is a good choice for iOS users to convert HEIC to JPG or other file formats. As a versatile data manager, AnyTrans is safe and professional, and you don’t need to worry about malware and privacy invasion.

Way 4. Enable Low Quality Image Mode

Device or settings compatibility is not the only reason HEIC is not opening on iPhones. Sometimes, iMessage tries to download high-quality HEIC files, which can cause delays or opening issues, especially with poor network connections. Enabling Low-Quality Image Mode ensures smaller, faster-loading images that may bypass this issue. You can try to enable Low Quality Image Mode using the following steps to fix HEIC not opening on your iPhone.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Scroll down and tap Messages.

Step 3. Scroll to the bottom and turn on Low Quality Image Mode.

Step 4. Restart your iPhone and try opening the HEIC image again.

This setting ensures smoother image loading, especially in messaging apps like iMessage.

Way 5. Sign Out and Sign Back into Apple ID

Problems with iCloud syncing can affect the loading of HEIC files. Signing out and back into your Apple ID again may help fix sync issues that might block access to photos. These are steps:

Step 1. Go to Settings.

Step 2. Tap your name at the top to open the Apple ID menu.

Step 3. Scroll down and tap Sign Out.

Step 4. Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off to disable iCloud syncing temporarily.

Step 5. After signing out, restart your iPhone.

Step 6. Go back to Settings and sign in.

FAQs

Q1. Why are my HEIC files showing a question mark icon?
This typically means the file is not properly downloaded or has been corrupted during transfer. Re-downloading from iCloud or converting the photo might fix the issue.

Q2. Can I open HEIC files on a Windows PC?
Yes. Although HEIC files are adopted by Apple, there are still methods to open HEIC files on a PC. You can download and install AnyTrans to view, convert, and transfer HEIC files on Windows.

Conclusion

The HEIC not opening on iPhone problem is annoying but is easy to solve. This article covered common reasons for this problem and also provided several effective solutions to fix HEIC cannot be opened on iPhones. If you need to convert HEIC to JPC, AnyTrans contains a powerful image converter feature to help you with a few clicks, protecting your data security and personal privacy. This function is available in the trial version. Download it for free, try it now!