HEIF, HEIC, and HEIV Format Support

What Are HEIF, HEIC, and HEIV Formats?

HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) is a modern image format that offers superior compression and image quality compared to traditional formats like JPEG. HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the most common file extension for HEIF-encoded images on Apple devices, while HEIV is used to store sequences, such as Live Photos or bursts.

These formats are built on the HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding, or H.265) standard, which enables them to store more visual information at a fraction of the size of older formats.

Why These Formats Matter

• Smaller File Sizes: HEIF and HEIC offer dramatically reduced file sizes without sacrificing visual quality — ideal for mobile capture and efficient cloud storage.
• High Quality: Better dynamic range and color depth support.
• Rich Media Capabilities: Support for image sequences, depth maps, and live photo metadata.

HEIC and HEIV in Apple Ecosystem

On Apple devices, when users take photos:

• A single image is stored as a .heic file.
• A Live Photo is stored as:
  • A .heic image (still photo), and
  • A paired .mov file (video component).

When exporting or syncing via cloud services (e.g., iCloud), these may be bundled or extracted separately depending on user settings.

HEIF/HEIC/HEIV Support in Picsart Creative APIs

✅ Supported as Input Formats

Picsart’s Programmable Image API accepts .heic and .heif images as input formats, allowing users to upload and process photos captured on Apple devices or exported in modern HEIF-compatible tools.

• .heic – Supported
• .heif – Supported
• .heiv – Not currently supported for animated sequences or Live Photos (see limitations below)

❌ Not Yet Supported as Output Formats

Currently, Picsart Creative APIs do not support HEIF/HEIC/HEIV as output formats. Processed images can be exported in standard formats such as:

• JPG
• PNG
• WEBP

You can specify your desired output format using the "format" parameter in your API request.

Live Photos: What’s Supported

Live Photos contain both a still image and a short video. When working with Live Photos in Picsart:

• Only the image portion (.heic) is supported at this time.
• The video component (.mov) is not processed or stored by the Creative APIs.

How to Locate the Still Image for Live Photos

To use a Live Photo with the API:

• On iOS/macOS, locate the .heic file in your file manager or export it manually using Apple Photos.
• Upload only the still image .heic file to the API.
• Once uploaded, use the returned file ID or path for further image processing.

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Tip: Use tools like Apple’s Photos app, macOS Finder, or third-party apps to extract and confirm the .heic file before upload.

Best Practices for Working with HEIC Images

• Convert if Needed: If your application or integration requires JPG or PNG output, use the "format" parameter to request conversion.
• Validate Input: Ensure the HEIC file is not encrypted, DRM-protected, or corrupted.
• Monitor File Size: Although HEIC files are efficient, ensure the image is under 100 MB to comply with API limits.
• Beware of Animations: Avoid uploading .heiv or .heic files that contain sequences or motion; only static images are supported.

Why HEIC Isn’t Used as Output (Yet)

Despite its advantages, HEIC is not yet widely supported across all browsers and image viewers, especially outside Apple ecosystems. To ensure compatibility and minimize friction, Picsart focuses on delivering outputs in formats with broader adoption. As platform support grows, output in HEIC or HEIF may be introduced.

Conclusion

HEIF, HEIC, and HEIV formats are powerful, efficient options for modern image capture and storage, particularly on Apple devices. Picsart Creative APIs fully support .heic and .heif images as input formats, allowing you to process high-efficiency images easily. While output in these formats is not currently available, the flexibility to convert to standard formats ensures smooth integration into most workflows.

For the latest on supported formats, limits, and roadmap plans, always refer to the API documentation or contact our support team.