HEIC stands for High-Efficiency Image Container file, a new or next-generation container file format developed by Apple Inc. for new models of iPads and iPhones. The container format can store and transfer image sequences and individual digital images. A HEIC file or image covers rich multimedia files, including other media streams like video, audio, and time texts. The file format uses high-efficiency video coding (HEVC) to compress images, significantly saving space and bandwidth. HEIC advanced compression technology preserves image quality, resulting in small and high-quality photos compared to PNGs and JPEGs.
An ICNS (Icon Container Resource) file encodes a pool of images, usually various versions of an identical icon named the icon family at varying resolutions. It comprises a short header followed by a series of data blocks known as icon elements. Each ICNS icon element has a header, a four-byte identifier signifying the type of data in the component, and a blob of binary data. Images in the ICNS are encoded either as a single icon element or multiple elements, typically one for the alpha mask and one for the color data.
To convert files from HEIC to ICNS use an online tool that supports mass conversion, like Convertjack. Such a tool transforms single or bulk images at once to save time.
Go to Choose File, and select any HEIC photos you want to convert. If you want to do a bulk conversion, click Choose File and select all the HEIC pics you want to convert.
After uploading the HEIC image, click the “Select Format” button at the center. A drop-down menu will pop up; select ICNS.
On the bottom right corner of the display, click the “Convert” button. Your converted ICNS file will be ready for download.
Click the “Download” button on the right side of the ICNS file, and the converted image will be downloaded. If you convert multiple files, each file will have a “Download all” button in front of it, and you can click each button to download all the converted files.
To save a HEIC file as a ICNS file, you first convert it to ICNS and then download it.
Instead of converting a file manually from HEIC to ICNS, use an online tool like Convertjack to convert the file without losing any details.
After converting the HEIC file, Download the ICNS file and save it in the default folder for all your downloads on the desktop or mobile.
One of the advantages of ICNS is its specific use in macOS for storing icon images, ensuring that icons are displayed consistently across Apple devices. The main disadvantage of HEIC is they are only used for photo storage and high-quality image rendering. Therefore, converting HEIC images to ICNS formats will make storing macOS icons and user interface design easier. Check this HEIC vs. ICNS comparison to determine which image format best suits your intended use.