Why can't I open HEIC files on Windows 10?

Windows 10 does not support HEIC natively in its base version. You typically see a blank screen or a generic icon. To fix this, you either need to install the HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store or use a free online converter like HeicPro to change them to JPG.

How to open HEIC files in Photoshop?

Older versions of Photoshop do not support HEIC. On Windows, ensure you have the HEIF/HEVC codecs installed. On Mac, ensure your OS is updated. If it still fails, the fastest workflow is to convert the batch of HEIC files to JPG using HeicPro before importing them.

Why are my iPhone photos HEIC instead of JPG?

Apple introduced HEIC in iOS 11 to save storage space (about 50% smaller than JPG). To switch back to JPG: Go to Settings > Camera > Formats and select 'Most Compatible'.

How to fix 'File format not supported' in Premiere Pro?

Adobe Premiere Pro requires HEVC codecs to read HEIC files. If you are on Windows, you might need to pay for the HEVC extension. A free alternative is converting your assets to JPG or PNG using our tool before adding them to your timeline.

Troubleshooting Hub

Fix Common HEIC Problems & Errors

Can't open a file? Black screen? Photoshop errors? Here is the ultimate guide to fixing every HEIC compatibility issue in 2025.

💻

Windows Won't Open It

Fix black screens & missing thumbnails.

🎨

Photoshop Error

Fix "Could not complete your request".

🌐

Website Upload Failed

Fix "Invalid file type" on forms.

The Universal Fix 🛠️

99% of these problems are caused by software not having the expensive HEIC patent license. The fastest, free solution is to convert the file to a universal format.

Convert to JPG Now →

1 Windows 10/11: "We can't open this file"

If you see a generic mountain icon instead of your photo, or get an error message in the Photos app, your Windows is missing the HEIF codec. Microsoft sometimes charges $0.99 for this.

Free Fix: Use our online converter. It's faster than installing system drivers.
Paid Fix: Go to MS Store and buy "HEVC Video Extensions".

2 Photoshop & Premiere Pro Errors

Designers often face the "Could not open because the file-format module cannot parse the file" error.

For Photoshop (Windows): You rely on the OS codecs. If Windows can't open it, Photoshop can't either. Convert to JPG first.
For Photoshop (Mac): Update to macOS High Sierra (10.13) or later.
For Premiere Pro: HEIC often causes "Media Offline" or green glitches. Always convert to JPG or PNG for video editing stability.

3 "Invalid File Type" on Websites

Trying to upload a passport photo or ID for a visa application? Most government and banking websites do not accept HEIC. They only accept JPG or PDF.

Solution: Drag your file to the tool above, click Convert, and upload the resulting JPG. It works 100% of the time.

Detailed Q&A

Is converting HEIC to JPG bad for quality? ▼

Technically, yes, because JPG is a lossy format. However, HeicPro uses high-quality compression (0.85) which makes the difference indistinguishable to the human eye while ensuring maximum compatibility.

Why does Discord or Slack show a download link instead of the image? ▼

Discord and older Slack versions do not render HEIC previews. To share an image that everyone can see immediately without downloading, convert it to JPG before sending.

Can I print HEIC files at Walmart/CVS/Walgreens? ▼

Many photo printing kiosks utilize older software that does not recognize HEIC. It is highly recommended to convert your photos to JPG and put them on your USB drive to ensure the printing machine recognizes them.

Still having issues?

The easiest fix is to stop fighting the file format and convert it.

Convert Now for Free