HEIC is a modern image format developed by Apple that uses efficient HEVC compression. Unlike standard JPEGs, it stores higher quality photos in smaller file sizes but requires royalty-bearing licensing. Android's default software often lacks the necessary decoders to read HEIC files. This limitation exists because HEIC support depends on both the device manufacturer implementing the codec and, sometimes, hardware capabilities.

You typically encounter HEIC files when transferring photos taken on recent iPhones to an Android device via email or cloud services like iCloud Photos. Many social media and messaging apps automatically convert HEIC files to JPEG for broad compatibility, but file-sharing solutions like Google Drive might retain the original format.

The primary advantage of HEIC is its efficiency, yet its patent licensing restricts universal adoption on open-source platforms like Android. Common limitations include blank previews or error messages on unsupported Android versions. Users can overcome this by installing compatible gallery apps or converting HEIC files to JPEG before transferring. Future Android versions and devices increasingly include support, driven by growing iPhone user interaction.