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How to open .HEIF files on Mac

To open .HEIF files on Mac, control-click the .HEIF file and choose Open With.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Control-click the .HEIF file and choose Open With.
  2. Select Preview or another compatible app.

Common issues

HEIF file won't open

The file may not open due to missing support in the current application.

  1. Ensure the app supports HEIF format.
  2. Update the app or use an alternative app that supports HEIF.

Poor image quality

Images may appear low quality if viewed in unsupported apps.

  1. Use a viewer that fully supports HEIF features.
  2. Check the file for corruption or incomplete download.

Still can’t open your .HEIF file?

Recover a deleted or lost .HEIF file

If the file was deleted by mistake or the drive was formatted, data recovery software may be able to get it back. Stop writing to that drive right away, because new data can overwrite what you want to recover.

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Security note

Open HEIF files only from trusted sources.

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