Can Samsung Galaxy phones shoot photos in HEIC?

Yes. In the Camera settings, tap "Format and advanced options" and toggle "High efficiency pictures". This saves photos in HEIC format to conserve storage.

Why do HEIC photos look blank when sent through WhatsApp?

Some messaging apps strip or fail to re-encode HEIC containers on older devices. Converting your photos to JPG first ensures they display properly on all recipients devices.

How to Open and View HEIC Photos on Android

Everything you need to know about opening Apple HEIC files on Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android devices.

Modern Android phones support HEIC natively, but compatibility varies depending on your Android version, gallery app, and whether the files were sent via messaging apps. Here is how to view and handle them effortlessly.

Method 1: Convert Online in Your Android Mobile Browser

Use our free online converter in Chrome, Samsung Internet, or Firefox on your Android device. It converts your HEIC photos to standard JPGs directly in your mobile browser with zero battery drain and complete privacy.

Method 2: Use Google Photos App

Google Photos has native HEIC and HEIF decoding built into the app across virtually all Android versions. Simply open the Google Photos app, locate the transferred photo in your device folders, and view or edit it normally.

Method 3: Native Support on Android 9 (Pie) and Newer

Android 9 (API level 28) and later versions include native operating system support for the HEIC format. Modern Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel devices can view, edit, and even capture photos in HEIC format directly from the default Camera settings.