Convert HEIF to GIF Online & Free

Quickly convert HEIF to GIF with our fast and secure HEIF to GIF converter, designed for simple, high-quality results online and free; upload your HEIF images, get smooth GIFs in seconds, no registration required, and enjoy instant processing with reliable privacy for your files.

More HEIF conversion tools

Looking for more ways to convert your images beyond our HEIF to GIF converter? Explore our other tools to switch HEIF files into formats like JPG, PNG, WEBP, and more—fast, simple, and with excellent quality.

HEIF to GIF Conversion FAQs

Find quick answers to common questions about converting HEIF images to GIF. Learn how it works, what settings to use, supported devices, file size limits, and tips to get the best results. If you’re new to HEIF or GIF, these FAQs will help you convert with ease.

What’s the difference between HEIF and GIF files

HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) is a modern image container that offers higher quality at smaller file sizes than JPEG or PNG. It supports features like HDR, alpha transparency, depth maps, and even image sequences, making it great for high-quality photos and bursts. However, compatibility varies: it’s widely supported on iOS/macOS and newer software, but may need conversion for older systems or certain web uses.

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is an older format best known for simple animated loops. It uses an 8‑bit color palette (256 colors), so static images look banded and larger compared to modern formats, and it lacks true alpha transparency and audio. GIFs are universally supported across browsers and platforms, but for static images or high-fidelity content, HEIF delivers far better quality and efficiency.

Will the conversion keep animation or live photo frames from HEIF

By default, converting HEIF/HEIC to formats like JPEG or PNG will not preserve animation or Live Photo frames; these formats only keep a single still image. If you need to keep motion, you’ll have to export to a format that supports multiple frames or video, such as GIF, WEBP (animated), or MP4.

If your HEIF contains a Live Photo (image + short video), you can extract either the main still frame or the accompanying motion part as a video. For animated HEIFs, choose an output that supports animation and ensure the “preserve animation” or equivalent option is enabled during conversion.

What’s the maximum file size or resolution supported for HEIF to GIF

The maximum file size and resolution supported for HEIF to GIF depend on browser memory limits and GIF format constraints. As a guideline, we recommend HEIF files up to 100–150 MB and images up to about 12–20 megapixels (e.g., 4000×3000) for reliable processing. Larger files may fail to load, time out, or produce excessively large GIFs.

GIFs are limited to 8-bit color (256 colors) and can become very large with high resolutions or many frames. For best results, consider downscaling large images, reducing frame count, or using lossy compression during conversion. If you encounter errors, try a smaller input or lower output dimensions.

Will the GIF quality drop and how can I control frame rate or dimensions

Yes, GIFs can show a perceived quality drop because the format is limited to 256 colors and uses lossy dithering. If your source has gradients or high detail, expect banding or grain. To preserve clarity, start from the highest-quality source, keep animations short, and consider simpler color palettes. Reducing noise and avoiding heavy compression in the source also helps.

You can control playback smoothness and size by adjusting the frame rate (FPS) and dimensions (width/height). Lower FPS (e.g., 10–15) cuts file size and may look more cinematic; higher FPS (20–30) is smoother but heavier. Scaling down dimensions greatly reduces size and can improve visual sharpness in GIF. Aim for even pixel values, and test a few FPS/dimension combos to balance quality and file weight.

Are EXIF metadata and transparency preserved when converting HEIF to GIF

Short answer: EXIF metadata is generally not preserved when converting HEIF to GIF. The GIF format doesn’t have a standard container for EXIF, so information like camera model, GPS, date/time, and orientation is typically dropped during conversion.

Regarding transparency, GIF supports only 1-bit transparency (a single transparent color), not full alpha channels. If your HEIF has smooth or partial transparency, it will be flattened to on/off transparency, which can cause jagged edges or halos. Fully opaque images convert without transparency issues.

If you need to keep metadata or alpha transparency, consider converting to formats that support them, such as PNG (for lossless alpha) or WebP (alpha + optional metadata). For GIF output, expect metadata loss and limited transparency fidelity.

Is the conversion secure and are files deleted after processing

Yes. We use encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS) to protect your files during upload, conversion, and download. This ensures your data remains private and secure while in transit between your device and our servers.

Your files are processed automatically and are not shared with third parties. Only the conversion service accesses them temporarily to complete the task you requested.

To protect your privacy, we delete files automatically after processing. Output files are also removed after a short retention window to allow downloading, after which both source and converted files are permanently erased.

Why is my output GIF large and how can I reduce its size

GIFs get large because they use lossless compression, limited 256-color palettes, and store every frame of animation. High resolution, long duration, high frame rate, and complex visuals (noise, gradients) all increase size. Unlike modern formats, GIF can’t efficiently compress photographic content.

To reduce size, lower the resolution (e.g., 1080p → 720p), cut the duration, and reduce the frame rate (e.g., 30 → 12–15 fps). Limit the color palette (e.g., 256 → 64 or 32), and enable lossy dithering or disable dithering if banding is acceptable. Remove redundant frames and trim loops.

Consider alternatives: convert to MP4/WebM for massive savings with similar quality, or use APNG for higher-fidelity transparency. If you must keep GIF, apply palette optimization, frame difference encoding, and compression passes with tools like gifsicle or ffmpeg’s palettegen/paletteuse.

Can I batch convert multiple HEIF images to a single or separate GIFs

Yes. You can batch convert multiple HEIF images either into a single GIF (animated, combining frames in order) or into separate GIFs (one GIF per image). For a single animated GIF, ensure your tool lets you set the frame order, delay between frames, looping, and optional resize/compression to control file size.

For separate GIFs, choose the batch mode that outputs one file per source image and confirm the naming pattern and destination folder. If supported, enable parallel processing to speed up large jobs, and keep an eye on color reduction options to preserve quality while keeping files small.