Images conversion
Convert HEIF to AVIF
Updated Jul 2026
HEIF is the photo format many Apple devices save images in, and AVIF is a newer image format built for the web that gets similarly small files with support in modern browsers. To convert HEIF to AVIF, open the file in a converter and export it as AVIF. Doing this on your own computer means the photo never has to be uploaded anywhere first.
- Extension
- .heif
- Type
- Images
- Typically
- Apple devices
- Compression
- Lossy
- Transparency
- None
- Metadata
- Carries EXIF
- Extension
- .avif
- Type
- Images
- Typically
- Next-gen web images
- Compression
- Lossy
- Transparency
- Supported
Convert HEIF to AVIF on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert HEIF to AVIF
- Open Morphjet and drag in the HEIF photo, or a whole folder of them, to convert in one pass.
- Choose AVIF as the output format.
- Convert. The AVIF files are written next to your originals, and nothing leaves your machine.
HEIF vs AVIF: what actually changes
| HEIF | AVIF | |
|---|---|---|
| Opens everywhere | No, mainly Apple devices and recent software | Growing, supported in current browsers and some apps, but not universal yet |
| File size | Small, efficient compression | Often smaller still, especially for web-sized images |
| Quality | High, modern compression | Very good, with a small one-time loss on export |
| Transparency | No | Yes |
| Keeps date and location (EXIF) | Yes | Yes, unless you strip it |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert HEIF to AVIF when you're putting images on a website or app and want small files that current browsers can display natively, or when you need transparency in a compact format.
Keep the HEIF original if the photo needs to open reliably on an Apple device or in an app that doesn't yet support AVIF, since AVIF support still isn't as widespread.
Why not just use an online converter?
HEIF photos from Apple devices often carry EXIF data, including the date, camera details, and sometimes the exact location where the picture was taken. An online converter would receive that photo, and everything embedded in it, the moment you upload it. Converting on your own computer keeps the photo and its metadata on your machine the whole time.
Questions
Does converting HEIF to AVIF lose quality?
A little. AVIF re-encodes the image on export, so there's a small, one-time quality loss. At typical settings it's hard to notice, but if you're archiving your best shots, keep the HEIF original.
Will the AVIF keep the photo's date and location?
Yes, the metadata from the HEIF carries over to the AVIF unless you strip it deliberately. Worth removing before sharing publicly.
Can everything open an AVIF file?
Not yet. Current versions of major browsers display AVIF natively, but some older software, apps, and devices still can't open it, so check where the image needs to work before you convert.
Why convert to AVIF instead of just keeping HEIF?
HEIF works well on Apple devices but isn't widely supported on the web. AVIF is built for that use case, so it opens in browsers without a plugin and often produces a smaller file.
Can I convert HEIF to AVIF without uploading the file?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file on your own computer, so it never travels over the internet. You can do it with your wifi off.
Morphjet converts HEIF, AVIF, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.