What Is AVIF? The Image Format Explained
AVIF is a modern, open image format that produces files 50-70% smaller than JPEG and 20-40% smaller than HEIC at the same visible quality. It also supports HDR, transparency, and animation, all in a single file.
If you have noticed .avif files appearing in your downloads or an iPhone unexpectedly opening one, this is the format. Here's what it is and why it matters.
The One-Sentence Definition
AVIF is an open, royalty-free image format built by a coalition of the biggest names in tech (Google, Mozilla, Netflix, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and others). It became widely supported between 2020 and 2023 and is now readable on most modern devices.
What AVIF Does That JPEG Can't
| Feature | JPEG | AVIF |
|---|---|---|
| Lossy compression | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lossless compression | ✗ | ✓ |
| Transparency | ✗ | ✓ |
| Animation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Wide color | Limited | ✓ |
| HDR | ✗ | ✓ |
Where AVIF Wins Most
The compression advantage is biggest in three places:
- Screenshots and UI captures. Flat colors, hard text, geometric shapes. AVIF can be 70-85% smaller than PNG, 50-70% smaller than JPEG.
- Logos and line art. Same story.
- Photos with smooth gradients. Skies, out-of-focus backgrounds. JPEG bands hard here; AVIF stays clean.
The wins are smaller but still real on portraits, landscapes, and low-light photos.
Where AVIF Doesn't Win
A few legitimate weaknesses:
- Saving speed. AVIF takes a little longer to produce than JPEG or HEIC. For batch conversion this doesn't matter; for "save right now" workflows JPEG is still instant.
- Universal compatibility. Roughly 5% of devices in the wild today still can't open AVIF (older Android, very old Windows, older iPhones). JPEG still wins for "send to anyone, anywhere."
AVIF on iPhone
Modern iPhones open AVIF photos natively in Photos, Files, Mail, Safari, and Messages. They do not save photos in AVIF on their own. The iPhone Camera doesn't capture in AVIF, and there is no "Save as AVIF" option in the Share Sheet.
To create AVIF photos on iPhone, you either upload to a web converter or use an app that adds AVIF output. HEVCut adds AVIF output on iPhone with everything running on-device.
HEVCut closes the iPhone AVIF gap. Convert your library on-device, with HDR preserved.
Try freeAVIF vs Its Rivals
HEIC
Apple's modern format and the iPhone default. Excellent inside the Apple ecosystem but 20-40% larger than AVIF at the same quality. See our full AVIF vs HEIC comparison.
WebP
An older modern format. Better than JPEG, worse than AVIF. Use AVIF if you have the choice.
JPEG XL
Technically excellent but uneven support across browsers and devices. AVIF has clearer industry momentum.
PNG
Lossless and universally supported, but very large. AVIF can match PNG losslessly at a fraction of the size.
JPEG
The universal fallback. Inefficient compared to AVIF but works absolutely everywhere. See our AVIF vs JPEG comparison.
Where AVIF Is Headed
Three trends to watch:
Modern Phones and Laptops Open AVIF Natively
Most devices from the last few years already do. The gap is shrinking each year as older hardware cycles out.
AVIF as Default Web Image
Most major websites and CDNs already serve AVIF automatically to browsers that support it, falling back to older formats when needed. You are probably already seeing AVIF every day without knowing it.
AVIF for Camera Output
Apple has not signaled whether the iPhone Camera will ever capture in AVIF directly. Until that happens, you need a third-party app to produce AVIF photos on iPhone.
Common Questions
Is AVIF lossy or lossless?
Both. Lossy is the default and most useful mode. Lossless is supported and competitive with PNG at much smaller file sizes.
Why does AVIF support animation?
The format was designed flexibly enough to carry short animations. In practice it's used as a GIF replacement: smaller and higher quality than GIF.
Is AVIF safe to use without paying license fees?
Yes. AVIF is open and royalty-free, which is why so many companies got behind it.
Can I edit AVIF in Photoshop?
Yes. Lightroom, Photoshop, Affinity Photo, and Capture One all support AVIF. macOS Preview and Photos handle AVIF natively.
Bottom Line
AVIF is the image format the open web has been waiting for: smaller than JPEG by 50-70%, smaller than HEIC by 20-40%, royalty-free, and broadly supported. The one thing missing on iPhone is the ability to save photos in AVIF directly, which is exactly the gap apps like HEVCut fill.