Tips to open HEIF file

Can't open the HEIF file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open HEIF files as well as a list of programs that support HEIF files.

HEIF file extension

File Name High Efficiency Image Format Format
File Category Raster Image Files

The HEIF file is supported on 2 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the HEIF files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the HEIF file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is HEIF file?

The file in the HEIF format belongs to the Raster Image Files category. In addition to this file, the Raster Image Files category includes 522 related files. High Efficiency Image Format Format is most often found on 2 operating systems. Although it can be found with greater or lesser success on any operating system, it will only be useful on Mac OS, Windows. The Zoner Photo Studio application is recommended to open the file. It was released by ZONER, Inc.. Alternatively, you can use 4 other programs. Apple Photos, HEIC Converter, iMazing HEIC Converter, CopyTrans HEIC will apply when it is not possible to use Zoner Photo Studio.

How to open HEIF file?

An often recurring problem with High Efficiency Image Format Format is that HEIF is not associated with the correct program file. This causes the file HEIF to open by system applications not designed for this purpose, or to display a message that there is no associated program. This problem can be easily remedied.

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the HEIF file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Zoner Photo Studio

In this case, you should first verify that the Zoner Photo Studio application is installed on the computer. The easiest method is to use the system search engine by entering the program name Zoner Photo Studio in it. If we do not have this program, it is worth installing it, as it will help you automatically associate the file HEIF with Zoner Photo Studio. Below you will find a list of applications that support HEIF files.

Step 2. Create association of Zoner Photo Studio with HEIF files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the HEIF file to open in the Zoner Photo Studio application, but you can set it manually. It is most convenient to call the context menu with the right mouse button and select Properties. Information about the file and the program that the file is associated with are available here. Using the "Change" button we can select the desired program. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. Checking the "Always use the selected program ..." box will permanently associate the HEIF file with the Zoner Photo Studio program.

Step 3. Update Zoner Photo Studio to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Zoner Photo Studio program with the High Efficiency Image Format Format file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. In this case, use the ZONER, Inc. website or update the program from the application.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the HEIF file

Of course, it may happen that despite the above steps, the file still does not work. File problems can be divided into the following:

Very often, the file may be size 0 or incomplete. This suggests truncating the HEIF file contents when downloading or copying. Downloading the file again should fix the problem.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. The scan should cover the entire computer, not only the HEIF file that we want to open. Sometimes virus-infected HEIF files cannot be recovered, so make a backup in advance.
Older version of HEIF file may not always be supported by the latest software version. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
There can be many reasons for the failure. Repairing is very dependent on the file type. Some programs offer the ability to automatically repair HEIF file corruption. The easiest way to restore the file is from a backup or by contacting , but this one can be expensive. Not all damage can be reversed.
When reading, a message appears that the file was encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted HEIF files can be used by the device on which they were encrypted, on any other device it is required to have the appropriate cryptographic key and decrypt the file before its recovery.
Some of the system directories are excluded from modification. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. Copying the HEIF file to another location will fix the problem.
This can happen on a file that does not support multiple access. In this case, the HEIF file is blocked by the first application to open it. Running programs (including those in the background) should be verified. Sometimes it is necessary to wait a while before referencing the HEIF file again. Antivirus programs or a backup being made may lock the file for a while without the user's knowledge. If the problem persists, restart the machine.