Images conversion
Convert TIFF to HEIF
Updated Jul 2026
TIFF is the format scanners and print software save at full quality, and HEIF is the compact format Apple devices use for photos. To convert, open the TIFF in a converter and export it as HEIF. Doing this on your own computer means the scan, and any metadata attached to it, never gets uploaded anywhere.
- Extension
- .tiff
- Type
- Images
- Typically
- Scans, print, archival
- Transparency
- None
- Metadata
- Carries EXIF
- Extension
- .heif
- Type
- Images
- Typically
- Apple devices
- Compression
- Lossy
- Transparency
- None
- Metadata
- Carries EXIF
Convert TIFF to HEIF on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert TIFF to HEIF
- Open Morphjet and drag in the TIFF file, or a whole folder of scans, that you want to convert.
- Choose HEIF as the output format.
- Convert. The HEIF files are written next to your originals, and nothing leaves your machine.
TIFF vs HEIF: what actually changes
| TIFF | HEIF | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Large, often uncompressed | Small, high compression |
| Quality | Lossless, exact pixel data preserved | Lossy, small quality loss from compression |
| Compatibility | Wide support in scanners, print, and professional imaging tools, but not most phones or web browsers | Native on Apple devices, spotty support elsewhere |
| Keeps metadata (EXIF) | Yes | Yes, unless you strip it |
| Best for | Archiving, printing, and further editing | Viewing and storing photos on an Apple device |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert TIFF to HEIF when you want to move scans or archival images onto an Apple device, save storage space, or share them somewhere that expects a compact photo format.
Keep the TIFF original if you plan to print the image, edit it further, or archive it long-term, since TIFF holds every pixel exactly as scanned and HEIF's compression can't be undone.
Why not just use an online converter?
Scanned TIFFs can carry metadata about the scanning software and date, and if the file came from a camera it may include GPS location. Sending a TIFF through an online converter means that file, and whatever is embedded in it, sits on someone else's server for as long as they choose to keep it. Converting on your own computer keeps the file, and its metadata, on your machine the whole time.
Questions
Does converting TIFF to HEIF lose quality?
Yes, a little. TIFF is lossless, so it holds every pixel exactly as scanned. HEIF compresses the image on export, which shrinks the file substantially but introduces a small, one-time quality loss.
Will the HEIF open on a Windows PC?
Not always. HEIF is native to Apple devices, and support on Windows and in web browsers is inconsistent, so check with your recipient before sending one.
Does the HEIF keep the TIFF's metadata?
Yes. Metadata like the date, scanner or camera info, and location if present generally carries over. If you're sharing publicly, consider stripping it first.
Can I convert TIFF to HEIF without uploading the file anywhere?
Yes. Morphjet converts on your own computer, so the file never travels over the internet, and you can do it with your wifi off.
Why convert a scan to HEIF instead of keeping it as TIFF?
TIFFs from scanners can be huge, sometimes hundreds of megabytes each. Converting to HEIF makes them small enough to store many photos on a phone or share easily, at the cost of some fine detail.
Morphjet converts TIFF, HEIF, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.