Convert HEIC to AVIF on Mac
Select the HEIC files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose AVIF and press Return. FileFlip saves each AVIF next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert HEIC to AVIF with FileFlip
Select the HEIC files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from HEIC. Type “AVIF” to jump to it.
Choose AVIF and press Return
The AVIF files appear next to the originals. To make them smaller first, press ⇥ and lower the quality or size.
HEIC and AVIF
iPhones save photos as HEIC to save space, but many websites, Windows PCs and older apps still can’t open it. AVIF makes some of the smallest image files available, which is ideal for websites.
What changes when you convert
- AVIF can store the image either lossy or lossless.
| Property | HEIC | AVIF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | High Efficiency Image File Format | AV1 Image File Format |
| Made by | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) | Alliance for Open Media |
| Introduced | 2015 | 2019 |
| Compression | Lossy (HEVC) | Lossy or lossless (AV1) |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Storing photos on Apple devices | Small, high-quality images on the web |
| Opens in | Apple devices; Windows needs the HEIF and HEVC extensions; many websites don’t accept it | Current versions of Chrome, Firefox and Safari; macOS 13 and later; many apps can’t open it yet |
| File extension | .heic, .heif | .avif |
| In FileFlip | Opens and saves | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format avif IMG_4021.heic \
--out IMG_4021.avifBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about HEIC and AVIF
Does converting HEIC to AVIF lose quality?
AVIF can store the image either lossy or lossless.
Can I convert many HEIC files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose AVIF. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the AVIF file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .avif extension. The HEIC file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert AVIF back to HEIC?
Yes, FileFlip converts AVIF to HEIC as well.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert a whole folder of images at once
FileFlip also handles video, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac