Can I open AVIF files on a Mac running macOS Monterey?

No. macOS Monterey does not support AVIF natively. You need macOS Ventura (13) or later for native support. On Monterey, convert the file to JPG or PNG first.

Does Safari support AVIF on all Macs?

Safari 16 added AVIF image support. If you have Safari 16 or later and a supported macOS version, it will display AVIF. Older Safari versions on older macOS will not.

Will AVIF files open on an iPhone with iOS 15?

No. iOS 16 added AVIF support. On iOS 15 or earlier, AVIF files cannot be opened. Convert them to JPG or PNG first.

What is the MIME type for AVIF files?

The MIME type is image/avif. The file extension is .avif.

How to Open AVIF Files on Mac and iPhone

Apple added native support for AVIF images in macOS Ventura (13) and iOS 16, so on a recent device you can open AVIF files on a Mac or iPhone without extra software. On older systems, AVIF files will not display. Convert them first. Here is which Apple systems read AVIF natively and what to do on older ones.

Which Apple Systems Support AVIF Natively

Apple added AVIF support in two major updates: iOS 16 for iPhones and macOS Ventura (13) for Macs. Safari 16 also added AVIF image support. On supported macOS versions, open AVIF files in Preview and use Quick Look to view them. On iPhones running iOS 16 or later, AVIF images open in the Photos app and elsewhere. If your device runs an older operating system, it cannot display AVIF without converting it first.

Open AVIF on a Modern Mac (macOS Ventura or Later)

If your Mac runs macOS Ventura (13) or newer, use one of these built-in ways to open AVIF files.

Using Preview

Preview, the default image viewer on Mac, opens AVIF images directly. Double click an AVIF file and it opens in Preview. You can also drag the file onto the Preview icon.

Using Quick Look

Quick Look shows a file when you press the spacebar on a selected item in Finder. On supported macOS versions, Quick Look opens AVIF images. Select an AVIF file in Finder and press the spacebar to see it.

Safari Browser

Safari 16 and later displays AVIF images in web pages. Drag an AVIF file into Safari to view it.

Open AVIF on an Older Mac (Before MacOS Ventura)

On older macOS versions, AVIF files will not open in Preview or Quick Look. You may see a generic icon or an error. Convert the image to a format your Mac can open.

Convert AVIF to JPG

Converting AVIF to JPG gives you a file that every Apple device and app can open. Use a conversion tool to change the file. After conversion, the JPG opens in Preview, Photos, and any other image viewer.

Convert AVIF to PNG

If the AVIF image has transparency, converting to PNG keeps that transparency. PNG files also open on all Apple devices. The conversion process is the same as for JPG. Just choose PNG as the output format.

Open AVIF on a Modern IPhone (iOS 16 or Later)

iPhones running iOS 16 or later open AVIF files natively. Receive an AVIF file in a message or email, tap it, and it opens in the Photos app. Save the file to your device and open it from the Photos app or Files app. On iOS 16 or later, AVIF support on iPhone is built in. No extra steps needed.

Open AVIF on an Older IPhone (Before IOS 16)

If your iPhone runs an iOS version older than iOS 16, AVIF files will not display. You may see a placeholder or an error. Convert the AVIF to a format your iPhone can open, such as JPG or PNG.

Transfer the AVIF file to a computer or use an online conversion tool.
Convert the file to JPG or PNG.
Send the converted file back to your iPhone.
Open the JPG or PNG in the Photos app.

Converting AVIF to JPG gives you a file every Apple device and app can open. Converting AVIF to PNG keeps transparency if the image has any.

What to Do If AVIF is Not Opening on Mac

If AVIF is not opening on your Mac, the likely cause is an older operating system. Check your macOS version: go to System Settings and look at the version number. If it is older than macOS Ventura (13), your Mac cannot open AVIF natively. Convert the file to JPG or PNG. If you are on a supported version and the file still does not open, try these steps:

Make sure the file has the .avif extension. Some files may be mislabeled.
Try opening the file in Safari by dragging it into the browser window.
Use Quick Look by selecting the file and pressing the spacebar.
If none of these work, the file may be corrupted. Try converting it to JPG using a conversion tool.

Converting AVIF Files What You Need to Know

AVIF files use the .avif extension and the MIME type image/avif. If you need to share an AVIF image with someone on an older device, or use it in an app that does not support AVIF, convert it. JPG is the most compatible format. It opens on every Apple device and app. PNG is a good alternative if you need to preserve transparency. Many free conversion tools exist online. One option is avif.tools, which converts AVIF to and from JPG, PNG and WebP.