Does the iPhone Camera Shoot AVIF?

Short answer: No. As of today, no iPhone Camera mode saves photos directly as AVIF. The iPhone Camera captures in HEIC by default (or JPG if you've switched to "Most Compatible" in Settings). There is no AVIF option in Camera, in Settings, or in the Share Sheet.

This guide explains why, what you can do today to end up with AVIF photos anyway, and what to expect going forward.

Why Doesn't the iPhone Camera Shoot AVIF?

Apple has not publicly explained, but the practical reasons are clear enough:

• HEIC is already excellent on iPhone. It's smaller than JPG, supports HDR, and saves nearly instantly because iPhone has dedicated hardware tuned for it.
• AVIF takes a little longer to produce. That's the trade-off for AVIF's smaller files. For a Camera app that needs to keep up with rapid shutter taps, instant-save matters.
• Adoption is still settling. AVIF only became widely supported across modern devices in the last few years. Apple has been conservative about switching defaults.

So even though every modern iPhone can open AVIF photos perfectly, the Camera doesn't create them.

Wait, Modern iPhones Can Open AVIF Photos?

Yes. iOS added native AVIF support a few versions back. You can:

• View AVIF photos in Photos, Files, Mail, Messages, and Safari.
• AirDrop AVIF photos from other devices and open them directly.
• Save AVIF photos from websites and they appear in your library.

The asymmetry is the catch: iPhone can view AVIF but cannot save in AVIF on its own.

How to Get AVIF Photos on iPhone Today

You have two real options.

Option 1: Convert After Capture (Recommended)

Shoot photos normally (as HEIC), then convert your library to AVIF in batches.

This is what most people actually want, because:

• Capture stays instant (HEIC saves the moment you tap the shutter).
• Conversion runs in the background, even overnight on charge.
• You can pick exactly which photos to convert (whole library, last year, a single album).

The simplest way to do this is HEVCut, which adds AVIF output to your iPhone and runs the conversion entirely on-device.

Option 2: Web Converters (One-Off Only)

For a single photo, you can upload to a web converter and download an AVIF back. This works but:

• Uploads your photo to a third-party server.
• One photo at a time — painful for libraries.
• Most strip your metadata.

Fine for a one-off web upload. Not a real workflow.

Will the iPhone Camera Eventually Shoot AVIF?

Maybe. Apple already added AVIF viewing to iPhone, which signals they take the format seriously. But there's no public commitment, and the Camera default has stayed HEIC across multiple iOS releases. If the iPhone Camera ever does add AVIF, it will likely be as an opt-in setting, the same way "Most Compatible" lets you choose JPG today.

Until that day comes, the realistic path is: capture in HEIC, convert to AVIF in batches.

Common Questions

Can I change a setting to shoot AVIF instead of HEIC?

No. The only Camera format options are High Efficiency (HEIC) and Most Compatible (JPG). AVIF is not in the list.

What about Live Photos and ProRAW?

Both are HEIC-based (or, in ProRAW's case, a Raw container). Neither has an AVIF capture mode.

Will my iPhone open an AVIF someone sends me?

Yes, on every modern iPhone. The photo opens directly in Messages, Mail, or whichever app received it. You can save it to Photos and it appears as a normal photo.

Is there any third-party Camera app that captures in AVIF?

A few exist, but most face the same trade-off: AVIF takes longer to produce than HEIC, so capture is slower. For most users, capture-as-HEIC + convert-later is a smoother workflow.

Does this mean AVIF isn't ready?

No, AVIF is very ready. Browsers, websites, modern operating systems, modern photo apps, and modern social platforms all support it. The single missing piece is iPhone Camera capture, which is a product decision, not a technical one.

Bottom Line

The iPhone Camera doesn't shoot AVIF today. It captures in HEIC (or JPG), and AVIF only enters the picture when you convert your library afterward. With HEVCut, that conversion takes three taps and runs on-device. You get the instant-capture experience of HEIC and the storage savings of AVIF, without compromising either.