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Troubleshooting

HEIC troubleshooting

A file that will not open is usually a compatibility problem rather than a broken file. These guides help you tell the difference before you act.

Start with what you see

  • It opens on my iPhone or Mac but not elsewhere. The file is almost certainly fine and the software lacks HEIC support. Read why a HEIC file won't open, or just convert it to JPG.
  • It won't open anywhere, or only part of the picture shows. Run the health check to see whether the structure is intact, then try the repair tool and read about corrupt or damaged HEIC files.
  • The file is tiny, or the extension looks wrong. Many "corrupt HEIC" files are really a renamed JPEG, a cloud placeholder or an error page saved under the wrong name; the repair tool identifies and renames them.
  • I just want to know what the file is. The file info tool explains it in plain English, and what is HEIC explains the format.
Can't open a HEIC file

HEIC file won't open? Find out whether it is a missing codec, an unsupported browser or a damaged file, and the quickest fix for each on Windows and Mac.

Why HEIC files get corrupted, and how to recover them

How to tell whether a HEIC is really damaged or just unsupported, what typically corrupts one, and how much of a damaged file can realistically be recovered.

HEIC thumbnails not showing in Windows 10/11

HEIC photos show plain icons in File Explorer? Fix the Store extensions, the 'Always show icons' setting, the thumbnail cache and OneDrive placeholders.

HEIF Image Extensions installed but not working

Installed HEIF Image Extensions and HEIC still won't open in Photos or Paint? Check for HEVC, Windows N, a blocked Store and repair steps, or convert instead.

HEIC file type not supported? Fix photo uploads

A site says HEIC isn't supported? Why uploads fail, what Instagram, Facebook, eBay, Etsy, Canva and WordPress officially accept, and the quickest fix.

Print or email HEIC photos: why it fails, and the fix

Can't print or email HEIC photos? What Walgreens, Shutterfly, Snapfish and others say, what iPhone sharing converts, and the quickest fix: a JPG copy.

HEIC not showing in Gallery? Android and iPhone fixes

HEIC photo not showing in Gallery, Google Photos, WhatsApp or Messages? Check the download, folder, permission and decoder, with fixes for Android and iPhone.