Convert HEIC to GIF on Mac
Select the HEIC files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose GIF and press Return. FileFlip saves each GIF next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert HEIC to GIF 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 “GIF” to jump to it.
Choose GIF and press Return
The GIF files appear next to the originals with the same names. The HEIC files stay as they are.
HEIC and GIF
iPhones save photos as HEIC to save space, but many websites, Windows PCs and older apps still can’t open it. GIF animations play everywhere, from chat apps to old email clients.
What changes when you convert
- GIF is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that HEIC compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
- GIF is limited to 256 colors, so photos can look grainy or banded.
| Property | HEIC | GIF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | High Efficiency Image File Format | Graphics Interchange Format |
| Made by | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) | CompuServe |
| Introduced | 2015 | 1987 |
| Compression | Lossy (HEVC) | Lossless, up to 256 colors |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Storing photos on Apple devices | Short animations and simple graphics |
| Opens in | Apple devices; Windows needs the HEIF and HEVC extensions; many websites don’t accept it | Everywhere, including browsers and chat apps |
| File extension | .heic, .heif | .gif |
| 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.
Preview
Open the HEIC in Preview, choose File → Export, pick GIF from the Format menu and click Save. If GIF isn’t listed, hold Option while you click the Format menu. For several files, open them together, select all thumbnails in the sidebar and choose File → Export Selected Images.
Good for a few files now and then.
Terminal
The sips command converts images in place or into a new file.
sips -s format gif IMG_4021.heic \
--out IMG_4021.gifBuilt into macOS and good for scripts. Run sips --formats to see what your macOS version can read and write.
Questions about HEIC and GIF
Does converting HEIC to GIF lose quality?
GIF is lossless, so nothing more is lost, but it can’t bring back detail that HEIC compression already removed. Expect a bigger file.
Can I convert many HEIC files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose GIF. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the GIF file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .gif extension. The HEIC file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert GIF back to HEIC?
Yes, FileFlip converts GIF 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