what is an heic file photo

HEIC (High Efficiency Image File Format) is a file format for storing digital images, designed by Apple Inc. It’s a newer image format that’s intended to replace the more common JPEG format. HEIC files use a more efficient compression algorithm, which allows for higher quality images at the same file size or smaller file sizes at the same quality level.
The HEIC format is part of the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) standard, which also supports other types of media, such as video and metadata. HEIC files are commonly used on Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs, starting with the introduction of the iPhone 6s and iOS 9 in 2015.
Some of the advantages of HEIC files include:

1. Better compression: HEIC files can be up to 25% smaller than JPEG files with the same image quality.
2. Support for more metadata: HEIC files can store more metadata, such as copyright information, camera settings, and location data.
3. Lossless compression: HEIC supports lossless compression, which means the image quality remains the same after compression and decompression.
4. Files are backwards compatible: Although HEIC is a newer format, older devices and software that don’t support HEIC can still open these files using a built-in converter or third-party software.
   Despite these advantages, HEIC files may not be supported on all devices or software, which can lead to compatibility issues. As a result, some users may choose to convert HEIC files to the more widely supported JPEG format.