How to Open AVIF Files on Windows, Mac, and Mobile

How to Open and View AVIF Images Anywhere

You just downloaded a product picture, wallpaper, or website graphic, but instead of the familiar JPG or PNG format, the filename ends with .avif. Double-clicking the file produces an error stating that Windows or macOS cannot open this format.

AVIF is rapidly taking over the web because of its phenomenal compression capabilities, but desktop operating systems and older image editors have been slower to adopt it. Here is everything you need to know about opening AVIF files easily.

What is an AVIF File?

AVIF stands for AV1 Image File Format. It is a modern, royalty-free image format developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia)—a consortium backed by Google, Apple, Microsoft, Mozilla, and Netflix.

Derived from the revolutionary AV1 video codec, AVIF delivers up to 50% smaller file sizes than WebP and nearly 70% smaller files than traditional JPEG, while preserving crisp detail, HDR color, and transparent backgrounds.

Opening AVIF on Windows 10 and 11

Native support for AVIF on Microsoft Windows depends heavily on your system version and installed codecs:

1. Modern Web Browsers (Easiest Method): Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera all support AVIF natively. You can drag and drop any .avif file directly into an open browser window to view it immediately.
2. Microsoft Paint: In recent Windows 11 updates, Microsoft Paint can natively open and view AVIF files without third-party plugins.
3. AV1 Video Extension: If the Windows Photos application fails to display AVIF images, open the Microsoft Store and install the free AV1 Video Extension package provided by Microsoft Corporation.
4. Third-Party Viewers: Robust free utilities such as IrfanView, XnView MP, or FastStone Image Viewer handle AVIF smoothly with appropriate codec plugins.

Opening AVIF on macOS and iOS

Apple integrated native AVIF support in macOS Ventura (13.0), iOS 16, and iPadOS 16. If your Mac or iPhone runs a modern operating system: - Double-clicking the file in Finder opens it directly inside Preview. - Safari 16 and later natively renders AVIF graphics inline. - If you are running macOS Monterey or earlier, standard Preview cannot render AVIF. In that scenario, dragging the file into Chrome or converting it to JPG is required.

Converting AVIF to JPG for Universal Use

While modern web browsers handle AVIF with ease, many legacy desktop tools like Adobe Photoshop (older versions), Microsoft Word, and email clients still struggle with .avif.

Converting your AVIF files into standard JPG ensures that you can send them to clients, insert them into office presentations, and view them on any device without compatibility headaches.