How to Compress HEIC Files on MacSave 30-60% storage space without losing quality
What Is HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container)?
HEIC is Apple's default photo format on iPhones and iPads since iOS 11. It uses the HEVC (H.265) codec for image compression, delivering the same visual quality as JPG at roughly half the file size. Despite being already efficient, HEIC files can still be further compressed, especially those from high-megapixel cameras.
Why Are HEIC Files So Large?
HEIC files are already more efficient than JPG, but modern iPhone cameras (48MP on iPhone 15 Pro) still produce 2-5MB per photo. With thousands of photos on a typical phone backup, these add up to tens of gigabytes. Live Photos add a 3-second video clip to each HEIC image, further increasing size.
Typical HEIC Compression Results
Before
1.5-5MB per photo
After
500KB - 2MB per photo
30-60%
Smaller
Compression Ratio
1.5:1 to 2.5:1
Codecs
HEVC (H.265) for image data
How to Compress HEIC Files on Mac (Step by Step)
Follow these steps to compress your HEIC files using MediaOptim on macOS:
Open MediaOptim
Launch MediaOptim. It has full native HEIC support on macOS.
Import HEIC photos
Drag your HEIC photos or your entire Photos library folder into MediaOptim.
Configure compression
Select "Balanced" mode. MediaOptim intelligently compresses HEIC files while respecting the format's existing efficiency.
Process photos
Compression is fast thanks to hardware HEVC support on Apple Silicon Macs.
Verify quality
Compare compressed photos side by side. HEIC compression preserves all the detail your eyes can see.
HEIC Technical Details & Compression Tips
Best Quality Settings
HEIC quality 75-80 provides invisible quality reduction with 30-50% savings. Since HEIC is already efficiently compressed, the savings margin is smaller than JPG but still meaningful at scale.
When to Convert vs Compress
Keep HEIC for Apple ecosystem use. Convert to JPG when sharing with Windows/Android users or uploading to platforms with limited HEIC support. Converting HEIC to JPG typically increases file size by 40-80%.
Technical Specifications
- Uses HEVC (H.265) codec for image data
- Approximately 50% smaller than equivalent JPG at same quality
- Supports 10-bit color depth (vs 8-bit for JPG)
- Stores Live Photos as image + embedded video clip
- Native macOS support since High Sierra (10.13)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can HEIC files be compressed further?
Yes. While HEIC is already more efficient than JPG, further compression of 30-60% is possible by reducing the quality parameter from the camera default (near maximum) to a perceptually equivalent level.
How do I compress HEIC photos on Mac?
Use MediaOptim to re-compress HEIC photos at an optimized quality level. The app preserves the HEIC format and metadata while reducing file size by 30-60%.
Should I convert HEIC to JPG to save space?
No. Converting HEIC to JPG actually increases file size because JPG is less efficient. Keep HEIC format and compress it within the same format for best results.
Why does my Mac have so many HEIC files?
HEIC is the default photo format on iPhones since iOS 11. All photos synced from your iPhone to your Mac via iCloud or cable transfer are in HEIC format.
Do HEIC files include Live Photo video?
Yes. Live Photos consist of a HEIC image plus a short video clip. MediaOptim can compress both the image and video components of Live Photos.
Compress Your HEIC Files Now
Save 30-60% on your HEIC files. No quality loss. Everything stays on your Mac.
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