When retrieving images from Google Photos, users may encounter files saved with the .heic extension. This file format represents High Efficiency Image File Format, a modern container for image data that offers enhanced compression capabilities compared to older formats like JPEG. As a result, HEIC files can store images with equivalent quality at a smaller file size.
The adoption of HEIC aims to optimize storage space on both Google’s servers and users’ devices, and to reduce bandwidth consumption during uploads and downloads. This efficiency translates to lower operational costs for Google and potentially faster transfer times for individuals. Furthermore, HEIC is designed to support a wider range of image data, including multiple images, image sequences (like Live Photos), and metadata.