If you have an iOS or Android device, you might want to use photos and videos you take with that device with the Photos app on your PC or Surface. Most of the time it’s not a problem. But if the photos and videos you want to use are HEIF (High Efficiency Image File) or HEVC (High Efficiency Video Codec) files, you might see a message in the Photos app that says “You need an extension to use this file.”
There are three different ways to fix this.
Option 1 (easiest): Buy the HEIF and HEVC Extensions from the Microsoft Store
Buy both of these extensions from the Microsoft Store and install them on your PC (as long as your PC meets the system requirements). You’ll need both, even if you only plan on using photos and not videos.
HEIF Image Extensions (free)
HEVC Video Extensions ($0.99) from the Microsoft Store
After they’re installed, restart the Photos app. Now you’ll be able to use your files.
Option 2: Automatically convert your files by reimporting them or emailing them to yourself
Many devices will automatically convert HEIC photos and HEVC videos to a more common format when transferring or emailing the files. Try plugging in your iPhone or Android into your PC and moving the files over. Or just email the files to yourself from your phone and save them on your PC.
Note: You may need to change the Camera and Photo settings on your iPhone or Android for this to work.
If that didn’t work, follow Option 1 (get the extensions for the Photos app) or try Option 3 for your photo files.
Option 3 (photos only): Use OneDrive to automatically convert your photo files
Learn how to Upload HEIF and HEVC photos and videos to OneDrive.
