Which MIME types are related to file extension ".heics"?

The .heics file extension is associated with 3 MIME types:

image/heic, image/heic-sequence, image/heif.

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

About .heics Files

HEICS files are a modern image format based on the High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF). They use advanced compression to save space while keeping high quality.
They can store a single image or a sequence of images. This is useful for formats like live photos or bursts.

Main use: Storing high-quality images with smaller file sizes.
Additional use: Handling image sequences or animations.
MIME types: They use image/heic, image/heic-sequence, and image/heif to indicate their content and capabilities.

They are supported by apps such as Apple’s Photos (macOS/iOS) and Windows (with the appropriate codecs or HEIF Image Extensions). Photo editors like Adobe Photoshop and GIMP can also open or edit these files when updated.
Based on information from FilExt.com, HEICS files are ideal for saving storage space while delivering rich image details.

Relationship between file extension and MIME type

A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.

File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.

File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.

Associated MIME types

image/heic, image/heic-sequence, image/heif

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why can one extension have multiple MIME types?

Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.