Why won't AVIF open with a double-click?

Your system's default image viewer may not know the AVIF format. On Windows 10 you need to install the free AV1 Video Extension from the Microsoft Store; on older macOS, update to Ventura or newer. The most reliable no-install method is to open the file in a modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) or convert it to JPG.

How do I open AVIF without installing anything?

Just drag the .avif into a Chrome, Edge or Firefox window — they display AVIF out of the box. If you then need to edit or send the file, convert it to JPG or PNG in the FormatZ online converter: nothing to install.

Which format should I convert AVIF to?

For maximum compatibility, JPG: it opens in any program on any device. If the image has transparency (a logo, an icon), choose PNG to keep the alpha channel. For web use, WebP works as a lighter alternative.

Can my phone open AVIF?

Modern Android (12 and newer) opens AVIF in the gallery without trouble, and many recent models even shoot straight to this format. iPhone has displayed AVIF in Safari and Photos since iOS 16. On older phones it's easiest to convert the file to JPG via the browser.

Will quality survive converting AVIF to JPG?

Yes, with sensible settings the difference is invisible to the eye. The FormatZ converter saves JPEG at high quality (92) and carries over EXIF and the ICC profile. If the AVIF was HDR, it tone-maps to SDR so the photo doesn't come out blown-out.

How to Open AVIF and Convert It to JPG or PNG

Downloaded an image and got an "unknown file" icon with a .avif extension instead? Don't delete it: the format is fine, your program just doesn't recognize it yet. Below are all the working ways to open AVIF on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone — and, if you need to, turn it into a familiar JPG or PNG in a couple of seconds.

Why AVIF won't open

It's not the file, it's the program. AVIF is a relatively new format (2019), and not every app has learned to read it. Browsers can; but your system's default photo viewer, an old Photoshop or an office suite may show a blank or an error instead of the picture.

The good news: opening AVIF almost never requires installing heavy software. In most cases what's already on your device is enough.

The short answer

Just need to view the picture? Open it in Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Need to edit, send or print it? Convert it to JPG. Both methods are free and require no installation.

The fastest way: your browser

If you simply need to see what's inside the file, don't hunt for special software — your browser already does that job. Modern Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Opera show AVIF out of the box.

Open a browser

Any modern one will do: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera.

Drag the file in

Or press Ctrl+O and pick the .avif from disk.

Done

The image opens in a tab. You can zoom in and inspect it.

The one downside: you can't edit the picture in a browser or drop it into a document. For that you need to convert it to a normal format — more on that below.

How to open AVIF on Windows

On Windows 11 AVIF support is usually built in — a double-click opens the file in the Photos app. If you're on Windows 10 and it won't open, there are two routes:

Install the extension. In the Microsoft Store find the free AV1 Video Extension from Microsoft. After installing it, Photos and File Explorer will display AVIF and its thumbnails.
Use a third-party viewer. The free IrfanView (with plugins) and XnView MP open AVIF with no fuss.

Don't want to install anything? Then just open the file in a browser or convert it straight to JPG — that's the fastest option for a one-off.

A person working with a website on a laptop — you can open AVIF right in the browser with no extra software — The browser is the most universal AVIF "viewer": it works the same on any system. Photo: Pexels

How to open AVIF on Mac

On macOS, AVIF support arrived in Ventura (2022). If you're on that version or newer, AVIF opens in Preview and Finder with a regular double-click, like any picture.

On older macOS versions the built-in AVIF preview doesn't work. The same two tricks save the day: open it in Safari/Chrome, or convert it to JPG. By the way, Safari has displayed AVIF since version 16.4.

AVIF on Android and iPhone

Phones are simpler than you'd think:

Android. Versions 12 and newer open AVIF in the gallery without trouble, and many recent models even shoot photos straight to AVIF to save space.
iPhone. Since iOS 16, Safari and the Photos app display AVIF correctly. On older iOS it's easier to convert the file via the browser.

If a phone stubbornly won't open the file, open an online converter right in your mobile browser and turn AVIF into JPG — it works on any smartphone.

Converting to JPG or PNG: step by step

Viewing is only half the job. To drop the picture into a document, send it to a colleague, print it or edit it in any editor, you need to convert AVIF to a universal format. The simplest route is online, no install:

Open the converter

Go to the AVIF → JPG page and drag the file in.

Wait for processing

The server decodes AV1, tone-maps HDR to SDR if needed, and keeps EXIF.

Download the JPG

The finished file opens anywhere — from Word to an old phone.

Open your AVIF right now

The free FormatZ converter turns AVIF into a universal JPG in a couple of seconds — right in your browser, no install, no sign-up.

Convert AVIF to JPG

Which output format to choose

JPG isn't always the best pick. Match it to the task:

You need to	Format	Why
Open it anywhere, print it	JPG	Maximum compatibility
Keep transparency	PNG	JPG has no alpha channel
A light image for the web	WebP	Smaller than JPG, broader support than AVIF

If the AVIF has transparency (a logo, an icon), use AVIF to PNG — otherwise the transparent areas fill with white. For the web, AVIF to WebP comes in handy. The full list of conversions is on the all formats page.

Opening AVIF almost never requires installing software — a browser is enough. For everything else there's the converter.

Viewing an image in a browser on a laptop — a convenient way to open AVIF with no software install — Once converted to JPG, the picture opens and edits in any program. Photo: Pexels

How to Open AVIF and Convert It to JPG or PNG

Why AVIF won't open