Back to Tools

Compress HEIC Image

Reduce the file size of your HEIC/HEIF images by optimizing quality while keeping visual fidelity.

Supports HEIC and HEIF formats. Adjust quality settings to balance file size and visual quality.
Privacy Note: Images are uploaded to our servers for processing and immediately returned - they are not stored. Your files are processed securely and deleted right after compression completes.
Drop HEIC files here or click to browse
Select HEIC or HEIF image files to compress

Compress HEIC files online without losing detail

HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container) is the photo format iPhones have used by default since iOS 11. It stores images using HEVC-based compression, which means a typical iPhone photo already sits at a smaller size than an equivalent JPEG at the same visual quality. Even so, HEIC files from modern high-resolution sensors can reach 5 MB to 12 MB each, and batches of them add up fast. This tool re-encodes each file at your chosen quality level, producing a smaller HEIC output while keeping the format intact.

No account is needed. Files are processed in memory on the server and returned to your browser immediately. They are never written to disk or retained after the response is sent.

Why shrinking HEIC files still matters

HEIC's built-in efficiency does not eliminate the need to reduce size further. There are several situations where a smaller file makes a real difference:

A quality setting of 82 percent (the default) typically cuts file size by 30 to 60 percent with no visible degradation at normal viewing sizes. Dropping to 60 to 70 percent pushes savings higher while remaining acceptable for web or social use.

How the HEIC size reducer works

When you upload a file, the server decodes the HEIC image into raw pixel data, then re-encodes that data as a new HEIC file using the quality value you set. The quality slider controls the compression strength: lower values discard more detail during encoding, producing a smaller file; higher values preserve more detail at a larger size. The range is 10 to 100 percent, with 82 as the default.

The output stays in HEIC format. Dimensions are not changed unless you deliberately adjust the quality slider to an extreme. The response includes the compressed file, the original and compressed sizes, and the image dimensions, so you can compare before downloading.

How to use the tool: Step-by-step

  1. Open the tool at this page. The dropzone reads "Drop image files here or click to browse".
  2. Drag one or more HEIC or HEIF files onto the dropzone, or click to open a file picker. The 40 MB per-file limit applies.
  3. Adjust the Quality slider between 10 and 100 percent. The default of 82 percent is a good starting point for most photos.
  4. Click "Compress Images".
  5. A "Processing images..." progress bar appears while the server encodes your files.
  6. When results appear, review the original versus compressed size for each file, then click the download button to save.

Multiple files can be processed in one batch. Each file is handled independently, so a failure on one does not block the others.

When to use this tool versus converting to JPG

Keeping the output as HEIC makes sense when the recipient or destination supports the format natively, such as other Apple devices, recent versions of Windows 11, or services that accept HEIC uploads. The format retains its efficiency advantages over JPEG at comparable quality levels.

If compatibility is the priority, such as sending to an Android user, uploading to a platform that rejects HEIC, or embedding in a document, converting to JPG is the better choice. The JPG compressor handles that workflow. For a broader look at all supported image formats, the general image compressor accepts HEIC alongside PNG, WebP, AVIF, and others.

FAQ

The server decodes your HEIC image into raw pixel data, then re-encodes it as a new HEIC file at the quality level you selected. The quality value controls how aggressively the HEVC-based encoder discards fine detail during compression. Lower quality values produce smaller files by allowing more information loss; higher values retain more detail at a larger file size. The output format remains HEIC throughout.

The default of 82 percent is a reasonable balance for most photos. At that level, compression artifacts are rarely visible at normal screen sizes, and file size typically drops by 30 to 60 percent compared to the original. For photos destined for social media or messaging, 65 to 75 percent often works well. For archiving where quality must be preserved, stay at 85 to 90 percent. Values below 50 percent produce noticeable softening and blocking.

No. Files are processed entirely in server memory and returned to your browser as part of the response. They are never written to disk and are not retained after the request completes. Once your browser receives the compressed file, no copy exists on the server. No account or login is required, so no file metadata is associated with a user profile either.

Each individual HEIC or HEIF file can be up to 40 MB. That covers the vast majority of iPhone photos, including ProRAW-derived HEIC exports and panoramas. If your file exceeds 40 MB, you will need to split the batch or reduce the file before uploading. Multiple files are accepted in a single session, and each is evaluated against the 40 MB limit independently.

Compressing HEIC re-encodes the file using the same HEVC-based codec at a lower quality setting, keeping the output in HEIC format. The file stays efficient and retains any metadata the format supports. Converting to JPG decodes the HEIC pixel data and re-encodes it using the older DCT-based JPEG algorithm, which is less efficient per byte but universally supported. JPG conversion trades some quality and file size efficiency for compatibility with apps and platforms that do not accept HEIC. Use the JPG compressor when compatibility matters more than format efficiency.

Yes. HEIC and HEIF refer to closely related container formats that both use HEVC-based image encoding. HEIC is Apple's specific implementation; HEIF is the broader standard. The dropzone accepts both. The compression process is identical for both types: the server decodes the image data and re-encodes it at your chosen quality level, returning a file in the same container format.

HEIC support varies by platform. Windows 11 with the HEVC Video Extensions installed can open HEIC files. Most Android devices and browsers do not support HEIC natively. If the recipient uses Android, or if you are uploading to a web service that does not accept HEIC, the compressed file may not open or display correctly. In those cases, converting to JPG before sending is the more reliable option.

Yes. The dropzone accepts multiple files in a single session. You can drag a folder of HEIC images onto the dropzone or select several files using the file picker. Each file is compressed independently using the same quality setting. Results are listed individually, showing the original size, compressed size, and dimensions for each, with a separate download button per file.

No. The quality slider controls encoding quality only, not resolution. The output file has the same pixel dimensions as the input. If you need to reduce dimensions as well as file size, you would need to resize the image before or after using this tool. The results panel displays the dimensions of the compressed file so you can confirm they match the original.

Yes, the tool is free. No account, subscription, or payment is required to upload, compress, and download HEIC files. There are no watermarks added to the output. The 40 MB per-file limit and the requirement that files be HEIC or HEIF format are the only restrictions in place.

This page is the HEIC-specific view of the SimpleSize image compression engine, which restricts accepted file types to HEIC and HEIF. The same quality slider and compression mechanism apply across formats. If you work with PNG, WebP, AVIF, or mixed batches, the general image compressor accepts all of those alongside HEIC. Each format uses its own codec during re-encoding, so the output format always matches the input format.

This can happen when the original file was already compressed very aggressively by the camera app, or when the quality slider is set close to 100 percent. Re-encoding at a high quality value can produce a file slightly larger than one that was originally encoded with a different encoder at a different internal quality target. If this occurs, try lowering the quality slider by 10 to 15 points and compressing again.