ConvertWhat happens when you convert HEIF to ICNS
- HEIF is another name for HEIC; files ending in .heif work here.
- iPhone photos use wide-gamut Display P3 color; it's converted to standard sRGB so colors look right everywhere.
- Works in Safari, Chrome and Edge. Firefox can't open HEIC yet.
- The ICNS file contains every size macOS uses, from 16×16 to 1024×1024 (Retina), stored as PNG.
- For the sharpest icon, start with a square image of at least 1024×1024. Other shapes are centered with transparent padding.
- Transparency is kept.
HEIC vs ICNS
| Feature | HEIC | ICNS |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | No | No |
| Colors | 1B+ | 16.7M |
| Best for | iPhone and iPad photos | Mac app and folder icons |
How to convert HEIF to ICNS
- Drop your HEIF files on the box above, or click it to choose files. You can add many at once.
- Adjust the options if you want. The defaults work well for most files.
- Click Download for each ICNS file, or "Download all" to get a ZIP.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to convert my files here?
Yes. Conversion happens entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server, so nobody else can see them.
Is it free? Are there limits?
It's completely free, with no sign-up, watermarks or daily limits. The only limit is your device's memory for very large files.
Can I convert many HEIF files at once?
Yes. Drop as many files as you like; they're converted one after another and you can download them all as a ZIP.
Will converting HEIF to ICNS reduce quality?
No. ICNS is lossless, so the image is saved exactly as it is. Detail already lost in HEIF can't be restored.
Does ICNS keep transparency?
Yes, ICNS supports transparency and it's kept.
Which browsers does the HEIF to ICNS converter work in?
It works in the latest Safari, Chrome and Edge, on computers and phones.
How do I use the ICNS file?
In Finder, select an app or folder, press ⌘I, then drag the .icns file onto the small icon at the top of the Info window. In an app bundle, it goes in Contents/Resources.