Why won't my HEIC photos open in Windows?

Usually because the HEVC Video Extensions codec isn't installed. HEIF Image Extensions alone isn't enough for iPhone photos.

Why are HEIC photos not showing in Messages or other apps?

The receiving app or device doesn't support HEIC. Send the photo as JPG instead — convert it first or change your iPhone's camera format to Most Compatible.

What if the HEIC file is corrupted?

If the file is 0 KB or much smaller than other photos, the transfer probably failed. Copy it again from the iPhone or iCloud.

Can't Open HEIC Files on Windows? How to Fix It

You double-click an iPhone photo and Windows says it can’t open it — or shows a blank thumbnail, or asks you to buy something. Here’s how to fix it, in order from most to least likely cause.

Need the photo right now? Convert it with the HEIC to JPG converter in your browser. It works on any Windows PC, without installing codecs and without uploading the photo.

Fix 1: Install the HEVC codec (most common cause)

iPhone HEIC photos need two Microsoft add-ons:

HEIF Image Extensions (free)
HEVC Video Extensions (usually a small fee; some PCs have a free manufacturer version)

Many people install only the first and wonder why nothing changes. Open the Microsoft Store, install both, then restart the Photos app. The difference between the two is explained in HEIF Image Extensions for Windows.

Fix 2: Update the Microsoft Store, Photos and Windows

Old versions can fail to load the extensions.

Open Microsoft Store → Library and click Get updates.
Run Windows Update and install pending updates.
Restart the PC.

Fix 3: Repair or reset the Photos app

Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
Find Microsoft Photos → … → Advanced options.
Click Repair. If that doesn’t help, click Reset.

Fix 4: Check the default app

Right-click the HEIC file → Open with → Choose another app, select Photos, and tick Always use this app. Sometimes an old viewer that doesn’t support HEIC has claimed the file type.

Fix 5: Check the file itself

Size 0 KB or unusually small? The copy failed. Transfer it again.
Name ends in .heic but came from a website or messaging app? It may not be a real image. Try opening it in the converter — it detects the actual file type and tells you if it isn’t HEIC.
Renamed from another format? Renaming doesn’t convert files; see How to convert HEIC to JPG on Windows.

Fix 6: Use a different viewer

Apps such as XnView MP and GIMP have their own HEIC decoders and don’t depend on Windows’ codecs. Our comparison: Best free HEIC viewers for Windows.

Unable to open HEIC files in Windows 11 for work?

On managed office PCs you often can’t install Store apps. Options:

ask IT to deploy the HEIF and HEVC extensions, or
convert the photos in your browser with the HEIC to JPG converter — no installation or upload involved.

iPhone HEIC photos not showing in Messages or other apps

If photos you send appear blank or as attachments that won’t open on the other side, the recipient’s device doesn’t support HEIC. iMessage converts automatically for Android, but other apps and email clients may not. Convert the photos to JPG before sending, or set your iPhone to Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible. Why this happens is explained in Why are my iPhone photos saving as HEIC?

Prevent the problem

Set your iPhone to Settings → Photos → Transfer to Mac or PC → Automatic so photos copied by cable arrive as JPGs. For everything else about viewing HEIC on Windows, see How to open HEIC files on Windows 11 and 10.