What Is AVIF? The Image Format Explained

You received a file with a .avif extension and your image editor cannot open it. Or you downloaded a photo from your iPhone and it saved as AVIF instead of JPEG. You are not alone — AVIF is a relatively new image format that many apps do not yet support natively.

Here is what AVIF is, why it exists, how it compares to JPEG and PNG, and how to open or convert AVIF files when your software does not support them.

What Is AVIF?

AVIF stands for AV1 Image File Format. It is a modern image format developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia) — the same group behind the AV1 video codec used by YouTube, Netflix, and Vimeo.

AVIF uses the AV1 video codec to compress still images. Because AV1 was designed for video (a far harder compression problem than a single frame), it achieves dramatically smaller file sizes than older image formats without sacrificing visible quality.

Format	Year	Compression Type	Developed By
JPEG	1992	Lossy (DCT)	Joint Photographic Experts Group
PNG	1996	Lossless (DEFLATE)	PNG Development Group
WebP	2010	Lossy + Lossless	Google
AVIF	2019	Lossy + Lossless	Alliance for Open Media

How AVIF Compares to JPEG, PNG, and WebP

Feature	AVIF	JPEG	PNG	WebP
File size (same quality)	Smallest	Largest	Very large	Small
Transparency (alpha)	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Lossless mode	Yes	No	Yes (always)	Yes
HDR / wide color gamut	Yes	Limited	No	No
Browser support (2026)	Chrome, Firefox, Safari	All	All	All
App support	Limited	Universal	Universal	Good

AVIF's main advantage is compression efficiency — an AVIF image at the same visual quality as a JPEG is typically 50% smaller. Its main disadvantage is limited software support, which is why conversion is often needed.

Sell Custom Apparel — We Handle Printing & Free Shipping

Why Are You Receiving AVIF Files?

AVIF files are increasingly appearing in everyday workflows because major platforms have adopted the format:

• iPhones (iOS 16+): Some iPhone models and iOS configurations can output AVIF. The "High Efficiency" camera mode in Settings uses HEIC, but AVIF can appear in certain export scenarios.
• Google Photos: Downloads from Google Photos may include AVIF files when the original was uploaded in a modern format.
• Web downloads: Chrome and Firefox display AVIF natively. When you save an image from a website, it may save as .avif.
• Stock photo sites: Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, and others serve AVIF to compatible browsers for faster loading.
• Web developers: Sites built with modern image pipelines (Next.js, Gatsby, Cloudinary) often serve AVIF automatically.

Which Apps Can Open AVIF Files Natively?

App	Platform	AVIF Support
Chrome 85+	All	Yes — full support
Firefox 93+	All	Yes — full support
Safari 16+	macOS Ventura, iOS 16	Yes
Adobe Photoshop	Win/Mac	Yes (2022 update)
GIMP 2.10+	Win/Mac/Linux	Yes
Preview (macOS)	macOS Ventura+	Yes
Windows Photos	Windows 11	Partial (with codec)
Lightroom Classic	Win/Mac	Recent versions only
Figma	Browser/Desktop	No — convert first
Canva	Browser	No — convert first

How to Open an AVIF File When Your App Does Not Support It

The simplest fix: convert the AVIF to PNG first. PNG is universally supported by every image editor, design tool, and document application.

1. Open the free AVIF to PNG converter using the button below
2. Drop your .avif file onto the converter
3. Download the PNG — it is identical in quality (lossless conversion)
4. Open the PNG in any application

If your AVIF contains transparency (like a logo or illustration), the PNG will preserve the transparent background. See the AVIF to PNG transparency guide for details on how alpha channels are handled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AVIF better than WebP?

For compression efficiency, yes — AVIF typically achieves 20-30% smaller files than WebP at equivalent visual quality. However, AVIF is slower to encode and has slightly less universal software support than WebP. For web delivery where loading speed matters most, AVIF is the better choice. For broad compatibility, WebP is still safer.

Is AVIF lossless or lossy?

Both. AVIF supports lossy compression (smaller file, slight quality loss) and lossless compression (larger file, pixel-perfect). When you convert AVIF to PNG, this tool always uses lossless decoding — the pixel data is read exactly as stored in the AVIF and written to PNG without any quality loss.

Will AVIF replace JPEG?

Eventually, likely yes for web delivery. JPEG is still dominant because of universal legacy support. AVIF adoption is growing fast — all major browsers now support it, and content delivery networks serve it automatically when they detect a compatible browser. Practical tools (photo editors, operating systems) are catching up.