An AVIF file is an image saved in the AV1 Image File Format — a modern, highly compressed format used across the web. It holds the same kind of photo or graphic a JPG would, but at roughly half the file size. The catch: it's new enough that some older apps and devices can't open it yet, which is usually why you landed here.
If you just downloaded an image and it saved as something ending in .avif that won't open, you're in the right place. This guide explains what the file is, why you're suddenly seeing them, and exactly how to open one on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and Linux — plus the one fix that works everywhere.
Why am I suddenly seeing AVIF files?
You didn't change anything — the web did. Websites are switching to AVIF because it makes images far smaller without making them look worse, so pages load faster and use less data. When you right-click and save an image from a site that serves AVIF, your browser hands you a .avif file instead of the .jpg you were used to.
That's the whole mystery. It's not a virus, not a broken download, and not something you did wrong. (You may also see it misspelled as afiv — same thing, just fingers moving faster than the brain.) The format is genuinely good; it's just ahead of some of the software people still use day to day.
What is an AVIF file, exactly?
AVIF stands for AV1 Image File Format. It's built on the AV1 video codec and developed by the Alliance for Open Media — an industry group whose members include Google, Apple, Microsoft, Mozilla, Amazon, and Netflix. The spec was finalized in 2019, and the image data is stored inside an HEIF container (the same container family Apple's HEIC uses).
In plain terms, it's an image format designed for the modern web. Here's what it brings to the table:
Feature | What it means for you |
~50% smaller than JPEG | Same-looking photo, half the file size |
Lossy and lossless | Can shrink hard, or keep every pixel |
Transparency (alpha) | Like PNG — clear backgrounds work |
HDR + wide color | Richer colors and contrast than JPG |
Animation | Can hold short loops, like a GIF |
Royalty-free | Free for anyone to use — part of why sites adopted it fast |
Per the Alliance for Open Media, AVIF delivers over 50% file-size savings versus JPEG and over 30% versus WebP at comparable quality — which, multiplied across every image on a busy website, is a serious speed win. That efficiency is exactly why you keep running into it.
For a wider tour of how AVIF fits alongside JPG, PNG, WebP, and the rest, see our complete guide to image formats.
How to open an AVIF file on any device
Good news first: if your device is reasonably up to date, you can probably already open AVIF — most operating systems added support over the last couple of years. Here's where things stand in 2026.
The fastest method (any device): drag the .avif file into a browser tab. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all display AVIF natively. If you just want to see the image, that's the whole job.
Windows 11 and Windows 10
Windows 11: AVIF opens natively in Photos, File Explorer thumbnails, and Paint. No setup needed.
Windows 10: Install the free AV1 Video Extension from the Microsoft Store, then Photos and File Explorer will open .avif files normally.
Mac
macOS Ventura (13) and later: AVIF works natively in Preview, Quick Look, and Safari 16.4+.
Older macOS: open the file in Chrome or Firefox, or convert it (see below).
iPhone and iPad
iOS / iPadOS 16 and later: AVIF is supported natively in Photos, Safari, and Files.
Older iOS: open it in the Safari or Chrome browser, or convert it to JPG.
Android
Android 12 and later: native support; Google Photos opens AVIF directly.
Older Android: use a browser or convert the file.
Linux
Most modern distributions handle AVIF through the libavif library. GIMP 2.10.22+ opens and exports AVIF, and file managers like GNOME Files show thumbnails.
If a quick browser preview is all you need, you're done. If you need to edit, upload, email, or print the image — and something keeps rejecting it — that's where converting comes in.
How to open an AVIF file in Photoshop and other editors
This is the one that frustrates people most. For years, designers dragged AVIF files into Photoshop and got nothing — there's an Adobe feature request for AVIF support that's been open since 2020 with hundreds of votes.
The situation is better than its reputation:
Adobe Photoshop supports AVIF natively since version 23.2 (February 2022). If yours is current, File → Open should just work.
GIMP (free) opens and exports AVIF since 2.10.22.
XnView MP supports it out of the box; IrfanView and Paint.NET support it with a free plugin.
If you're on an older editor that still won't cooperate, don't fight it — convert the AVIF to a format the editor definitely understands, then open that.
The universal fix — convert AVIF to JPG
When a device is too old, an app refuses the file, or a website won't accept your upload, the cleanest solution is to convert AVIF to JPG. JPG has been the universal image format for 30 years — it opens on every device, every app, and every platform, no exceptions. Convert once and you never think about compatibility again.
It takes a few seconds in your browser:
Open the AVIF to JPG converter.
Drag your .avif file in.
Choose JPG and download. No software, no signup.
One thing to know: JPG can't store transparency. If your AVIF has a transparent background you need to keep — a logo or graphic — convert it to PNG instead, which is lossless and preserves the alpha channel. And if you want to keep a modern, small file size while gaining wider support, AVIF to WebP is a solid middle ground.
AVIF vs JPG vs PNG — which should you use?
AVIF | JPG | PNG | |
File size | Smallest | Medium | Largest |
Compatibility | Newer apps only | Everywhere | Everywhere |
Transparency | Yes | No | Yes |
Best for | Web speed | Sharing anywhere | Editing, logos |
Short version: keep AVIF if you control where the image is used and you want the smallest file. Convert to JPG when you need it to open and share anywhere. Convert to PNG when you need transparency or lossless quality for editing.
Got an AVIF you need in another format? Browse every AVIF conversion tool, or explore the full image conversion suite.