HEICVSHEIC
You see both names used. Is HEIC different from HEIF? We explain the Apple confusion.
The Verdict
**HEIF is the Container. HEIC is the Format.** Think of HEIF as the box, and HEIC as the specific way Apple packs the box (using HEVC compression). In practice, they are used interchangeably.
The Name
Winner: Draw
HEIF = High Efficiency Image File Format. HEIC = High Efficiency Image Container (the Apple extension).
Compatibility
Winner: Draw
If you rename .heif to .heic, it usually works. Most systems look at the MIME type, not the extension.
Usage
Winner: HEIC
Apple chose .heic to clarify that the content is HEVC-encoded. Generic .heif files could theoretically contain other codecs (like AVC), but that is rare.