How to open HEIC files in Photoshop
You drag an iPhone photo into Photoshop and, instead of opening, you get a warning. On Windows this is very common: Photoshop has no HEIC reader of its own and relies on two Microsoft extensions almost nobody has installed. Here is what to install, what it costs, and a free alternative that also works with old versions like CS6.
The error you'll see
According to Adobe's official documentation, opening a .heic on Windows without the codecs shows one of these messages:
- "Additional non Adobe software is needed to open .heic files"
- "Could not open … because Photoshop cannot recognize the file extension"
The file isn't corrupted and your Photoshop isn't broken: Windows is simply missing the codec.
Summary: what you need
| Your setup | What to do |
|---|---|
| Mac | Nothing. macOS 10.13 or later supports it |
| Windows 10/11 | Install HEIF (free) + HEVC ($0.99) |
| Old Photoshop (CS6) | Convert to PNG or JPG first |
| No paying, no installing | Convert to PNG or JPG first |
The Windows fix: two Microsoft extensions
Adobe says you need both, not just one. The first reads the HEIF container; the second decodes the images, because iPhone .heic files are compressed with HEVC. With only the HEIF one installed, Photoshop still won't open them.
- Quit Photoshop completely.
- Install HEIF Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. It's free.
- Install HEVC Video Extensions. It costs $0.99 (€0.99 in Europe).
- Reopen Photoshop and open the file with File > Open.
Watch out for look-alikes. The Store has several third-party apps with near-identical names. Check that the publisher is Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Corporation. More detail in how to open HEIC files on Windows 11.
On Mac you don't need anything
Adobe confirms that on macOS High Sierra (10.13) or later Photoshop opens .heic files with nothing to install, because the system itself provides support. If they won't open on your Mac, the file most likely hasn't fully downloaded from iCloud.
Free alternative: convert before opening
If you'd rather not pay for the extension, use an old Photoshop, or only have a few photos, converting them first is quickest. Photoshop CS6 dates from 2012 and HEIC reached iPhones in 2017, so those versions can't read it even with the extensions.
- Open the HEIC converter in your browser. Photos are never uploaded to a server.
- Choose PNG if you'll be retouching: it's lossless. Or JPG at 100% for lighter files.
- Download and open the result in Photoshop like any other image.
Turn them into PNG with no quality loss, free and without installing extensions.
Convert HEIC to PNG or JPG
Which format to pick for editing
| Format | When to use it |
|---|---|
| PNG | Serious retouching: no loss when saving |
| JPG 100% | Quick edits with lighter files |
| JPG 90% | Sharing only, not editing |
Converting strips EXIF metadata and GPS location. If you need to keep the date or camera details for cataloguing, use Microsoft's extensions instead of converting.
A special case: HEIF files from Canon cameras
Some Canon cameras save photos as .HIF or .HEIC. Adobe warns that Photoshop does not support these Canon files, even with the extensions, and recommends working from the camera's RAW files. This only affects Canon camera photos; iPhone photos work with the steps above.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't Photoshop open HEIC files?
On Windows, Photoshop relies on system codecs to read HEIC. Without Microsoft's HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions installed, it shows an error saying it cannot recognize the file extension.
Do I have to pay to open HEIC in Photoshop?
On Windows, the HEVC extension costs 0.99 in the Microsoft Store and Adobe says it is required along with the free HEIF one. The free alternative is converting the HEIC to PNG or JPG before opening it.
Does Photoshop on Mac open HEIC?
Yes. On macOS High Sierra (10.13) or later the system includes HEIF support and Photoshop opens .heic files with nothing extra to install.
Can Photoshop CS6 open HEIC?
No. CS6 dates from 2012 and HEIC arrived on iPhones in 2017. With older versions, convert the file to PNG or JPG first.
Which format should I convert HEIC to for editing in Photoshop without losing quality?
PNG, which is lossless, or JPG at 100% quality. PNG is larger but keeps every detail for retouching.
Sources
- Adobe: Install Windows HEIF and HEVC codecs for Photoshop (updated February 23, 2026).
- Microsoft Store: HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions (prices checked September 27, 2026).
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