[5 Ways] How to Open HEIC Files on Android

What is a HEIC file?

A HEIC (High-Efficiency Image Container) file is an image file format developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) for storing photos and images. It was introduced by Apple and is commonly used on iOS devices, such as iPhone and iPad, as the default image format.

HEIC vs. JPG, which is better? HEIC files may include features like transparency, multiple images, and metadata while JPG files don’t. And HEIC files use advanced compression algorithms to significantly reduce file size while maintaining high image quality.

This means that HEIC files can store more visual information in a smaller file size compared to other formats, resulting in more efficient storage and faster sharing of images. However, one limitation of HEIC files is that they may not be natively supported on all devices and platforms, particularly older Android devices.

In such cases, additional software or conversion methods may be required to view or work with HEIC files.

Open HEIC Files on Android

Similar to Microsoft's approach with Windows, Google has also taken steps to support the new format introduced by Apple. So if you have an Android device running Android 9 Pie or later, you don't need to do anything to view HEIC files. Android has native support for HEIC files, allowing you to read and view them without any issues.

If your mobile version still doesn’t support HEIC files, the quickest response to the problem is based on downloading HEIC view applications. Besides, you can also solve the problem “how to open HEIC files on Samsung or other Android devices” with Google Photos and Gmail.

Method 1. Open HEIC files via Google Photos

Many Android users prefer Google Photos over the native gallery app due to its pre-installed presence on the home screen of most Android phones. The Google Photos app provides a convenient way to open and edit HEIC files directly on your Android device. The steps below show how to open HEIC files on Android phones via Google Photos.

Step 1. Launch the Google Photos app and click the Library option.

Step 2. Locate the folder where the HEIC file is saved and Open the specific folder.

Step 3. Tap on the HEIC image file, and you can preview it directly in the app itself.

Method 2. Open HEIC files on Gmail

Gmail serves as a valuable tool for our daily communication needs, allowing us to effortlessly sync Android contacts, messages, and more. Is it possible to open HEIC files on Android through Gmail? Absolutely! Once you send an email containing HEIC photos, you can directly access them from the inbox on the designated Android device. Now you can follow the detailed steps to make it.

Step 1. Launch the Photos app on your iOS Device.

Step 2. Choose the specific images you wish to view on your Android.

Step 3. Select share followed by Gmail.

Step 4. Compose a new email to yourself, attaching all the desired HEIC files.

Step 5. Send the email using Gmail.

You can simply open your Android inbox to gain access and download the files onto your device.

Method 3. View HEIC on Android with Dropbox

If Gmail is not your preferred option, you can choose Dropbox as an alternative for opening HEIC files on Android. Dropbox serves as a creative cloud storage platform widely used for file sharing and collaboration among different teams. It also supports syncing and previewing HEIC images on Android devices.

Here's how to open HEIC files on Android using Dropbox:

Step 1. Download and install the Dropbox app on your Android device.

Step 2. Sign in to your Dropbox account with your passcode on a computer.

Step 3. Upload your HEIC files to the Photos folder.

Step 4. Log in to the Dropbox app on the Android device.

Step 5. Hit on the Photos folder to access and view the uploaded HEIC files.

Method 4. Browse HIEC images through OneDrive

OneDrive provides another method for browsing HEIC files on Android. It is a popular platform used for file sharing and collaboration among teams. Additionally, you can sync and preview HEIC photos within the OneDrive Android app. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to open HEIC files on Android:

Step 1. Install the OneDrive app, and access the Account option on your Android device.

Step 2. Look for the button that allows you to open photos on your Android phone.

Step 3. If you have already uploaded the HEICs, tap on the Camera upload selection to open the HEIC photos directly on your phone.

Note:✎...

You have the option to choose JPEG as the output format when saving OneDrive HEIC photos. It always keeps pace with the latest updates and works more efficiently on the Android device.

Method 5. View HEIC on Android through Luma

Luma is a handy app that goes beyond being a HEIC photo viewer and converter. It also captures the extended color range offered by a camera's 10-bit color output. Here's how to view HEIC files on Android using Luma:

Step 1. Download the Luma HEIC viewer app, and launch it on your Android device.

Step 2. Tap on the Plus button located in the bottom right corner.

Step 3. Choose either the "Open single image" option or the "Open image folder" option to select the HEIC photos you want to view or edit.

Note:✎...

It's recommended to save the HEIC pictures in one folder to simplify the process and save time when browsing and editing them on your Android device.

Once you've selected the images, you can apply the desired filters for colors, brightness, and other editing options.

The best way to convert a HEIC file to JPG/JPEG/PNG

If you don’t want any of the above solutions, then converting HEIC files to JPGs will be a simple way to view the photos directly. And FoneTool can be an excellent option. you can easily convert HEIC photos to JPG/JPEG/PGN format by conveniently dragging and dropping the pictures into the tool.

In addition to converting HEIC files without data loss, it’s also a user-friendly iPhone data management tool. You can restore your iPhone to factory settings without Apple ID and passcode, and it can also help you to back up and transfer your iPhone data. Follow the steps below and you can see how to convert HEIC files on Android with the app.

Step 1. Transfer HEIC photos you need to convert from Android to PC with a USB cable.

Step 2. Open FoneTool. Tap on “Toolbox” > “HEIC Converter”.

Step 3. Upon launching the converter program, Choose the “Add Photos” option and select the specific photos that you wish to convert.

Step 4. Specify the format, quality, speed, and storage path. Then choose “Start Converting”.

Once the conversion is complete, you can navigate to the specified storage path where the converted photos are located. There, you will be able to view your photos in the new format.

After the process, if you need to airdrop your photos from Android to iPhone, then the FoneTool for Android can also help you make it. With this handy app, you can easily move files from Android devices like Pixel, Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei, etc. to iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. For more information, find answers in this Android-to-iPhone file transfer guide.

Conclusion

This comprehensive guide has provided all the essential information on how to open HEIC files on Android. Additionally, if you require HEIC to JPG conversion on Windows PCs, FoneTool can give you great help.

FAQs