HEIC and HEVC Compatibility

Updated May 6, 2026 5 min read

iPhones save photos as HEIC and videos as HEVC by default. These formats save space at high quality, but many Windows PCs, older Macs, and editing apps still expect JPG photos and H.264 MP4 videos.

Simple Transfer lets you choose: keep originals when you want maximum fidelity for archive, or save Windows-compatible versions when you want files that just open. You do not have to decide upfront. Convert the format per transfer.

1

Why your computer struggles with iPhone formats

HEIC and HEVC are efficient Apple-friendly formats, but support depends on the OS version, installed codecs, graphics hardware, and the app opening the file. The same video can play on the iPhone but show no sound, no preview, or an error on a PC.

On Windows, the symptom is usually "video plays but has no sound," which means the HEVC codec is not installed.

2

When to keep originals

You are archiving the library and want the source file.
Your tools (Mac Photos, modern Lightroom, Capture One) understand HEIC and HEVC.
You want to preserve maximum quality and metadata.
You may revisit edits years from now.
3

When to convert

Windows cannot open the file or video plays with no sound.
You are sending files to family or friends who do not have iPhones.
You are importing into a workflow that expects JPG or H.264 MP4.
You want easier preview on older computers.
4

For photographers: metadata and dates

Capture date, GPS, and EXIF are preserved on transfer for both originals and converted files. For Lightroom, Bridge, or any catalog tool, run a test on a small batch and confirm the dates and sorting come in the way you expect before importing thousands of files.

If a converted video does not preserve the date you expect in your editor, tap Settings › Help › Report a Bug in the Simple Transfer app and describe what you see. The report includes your iOS version and device model automatically.

5

Best practice: keep both

For libraries you care about, keep an original archive and create compatible copies for everyday use. That gives you the safest archive plus files that are easy to view, edit, and share.

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