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Yes—GIMP 2.10.22 can import and export AVIF and HEIF/HEIC files when its HEIF plug-in is built with the necessary codec support. The wording of the original release headline needs one correction: AVIF support was already present in GIMP 2.10.20, but GIMP’s October 7, 2020 release announcement documented it in 2.10.22. Version 2.10.22 also improved HEIC/HEIF handling, including higher-bit-depth files, NCLX color profiles and metadata.
What changed in GIMP 2.10.22?
GIMP described 2.10.22 as a maintenance release with substantial file-format improvements. Its October 7, 2020 announcement listed AVIF import and export and improved HEIC/HEIF support. The release notes also explain that AVIF support had technically arrived in 2.10.20 but was omitted from that earlier announcement.
- AVIF import and export were officially documented.
- HEIC/HEIF support was improved for supported codec configurations.
- 10- and 12-bit-per-channel HEIF files could be imported and exported where the underlying libraries and build supported those modes.
- NCLX color-profile and metadata handling was improved.
See the official GIMP 2.10.22 release announcement for the historical release details. GIMP 2.10.22 is now an old release, so a current stable GIMP version is preferable when you can upgrade.
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AVIF, HEIF and HEIC are related—but not the same
HEIF is the container format. HEIC usually means a HEIF image encoded with HEVC/H.265, the format commonly used by Apple devices. AVIF is HEIF with images encoded using AV1, an open codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media.
That distinction explains why one installation can open AVIF but fail on a phone’s HEIC file. The files share a container family but require different decoder or encoder back ends. GIMP’s image-format documentation describes these capabilities as separate runtime features.
What GIMP needs before the formats appear
GIMP and the HEIF plug-in
GIMP uses its HEIF plug-in rather than a completely independent AVIF or HEIC engine. The plug-in asks the installed codec library what it can decode and encode, so the application version alone does not guarantee every format or operation.
libheif and codec back ends
The Debian notes for the GIMP 2.10.22 package specify libheif 1.8.0 or newer for AVIF import and export. That is a documented requirement for that package, not a universal promise for every operating system. A newer library may be needed for later features or broader compatibility.
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AVIF requires an AV1 decoder or encoder supported by the build, such as an available libaom or another compatible back end. HEIC generally requires HEVC support. Linux distributions may package these components separately or omit some of them because HEVC licensing and patent considerations differ by jurisdiction and distributor.
GIMP 2.10.24 later added visually lossless HEIF export when libheif 1.10 or newer was available and began detecting HEIC and AVIF capabilities separately. This is another reason not to treat “HEIF support” as one universal feature. See the 2.10.24 release notes.
How to open an AVIF or HEIC image
- Start GIMP and choose File → Open.
- Select an
.avif,.heifor.heicfile. If necessary, change the file filter to show all files. - Confirm the import dialog, if your build displays one.
- Check the resulting image for its color profile, bit depth, transparency and metadata before editing.
If the file opens, your installation has a working decoder for that file’s characteristics. That does not prove that the corresponding encoder is installed; importing and exporting are detected separately.
How to save AVIF or HEIC from GIMP
- Open or create the image.
- Choose File → Export As.
- Enter a filename ending in
.avif,.heifor.heic. - Confirm the export and select the format-specific options shown by your plug-in.
- Reopen the exported file in GIMP or another known-compatible application to verify the result.
The available controls vary by platform build and codec library. Do not assume that every 2.10.22 installation offers identical quality, speed, alpha, lossless or bit-depth settings. A correct filename extension is not enough if the HEIF plug-in was not built or loaded.
What to do when AVIF or HEIC is missing
Neither format appears
- Update to a later supported GIMP release if possible; 2.10.22 dates from 2020.
- Prefer an official GIMP package over an unusually minimal distribution build.
- Update the system’s
libheifpackage and restart GIMP. - On Linux, verify that the HEIF plug-in and an AV1 back end are installed. For HEIC, also verify an HEVC-capable back end.
- Test with a small, known-good sample rather than a single unusual camera file.
Package names and installation commands differ among Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, openSUSE and other systems, so use your distribution’s package documentation instead of copying a command intended for another system. Avoid random plug-ins or DLLs from untrusted download sites.
Opening works but exporting does not
This normally indicates that a decoder is available but the required encoder is not. AVIF and HEIC encoding can be exposed independently, and a distribution may include one without the other. Inspect File → Export As and the Procedure Browser for HEIF-related procedures, then check the package’s codec back ends.
A phone HEIC file fails to open
The file may use an HEVC configuration, profile, metadata combination or feature that your installed codec stack cannot decode. Try a different sample, update libheif and GIMP, or convert the file with a current dedicated tool such as heif-convert or ImageMagick before editing.
Bit depth, profiles, metadata and image fidelity
GIMP 2.10.22’s 10- and 12-bit HEIF/AVIF handling is conditional on the source file, plug-in, library and codec back end. A 10- or 12-bit source can still become 8-bit if part of the processing or export path lacks higher-bit-depth support.
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The release improved NCLX profile and metadata handling, but that is not a guarantee of perfect round-trip preservation. Conversion can change or discard metadata, interpret profiles differently between applications, alter transparency handling or produce a lossy result even when the source was lossless. Check the exported file in the destination application.
Keep the layered working file as GIMP’s native .XCF document. Treat AVIF, HEIC and other delivery formats as exports rather than replacements for an editable master.
AVIF versus HEIC, JPEG, PNG and WebP
| Format | Strong use case | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| AVIF | Modern web delivery, high-quality compression and HDR-capable workflows | Encoding can be slower and legacy software support is less universal |
| HEIC | Phone-camera and Apple-oriented photo workflows | HEVC licensing and uneven support outside compatible ecosystems |
| JPEG | Broad compatibility and quick everyday sharing | No alpha channel and less efficient compression than newer formats |
| PNG | Lossless graphics, screenshots and transparency | Often much larger than photographic formats |
| WebP | Modern web images with broad browser support | Choice depends on the site, CMS and production workflow |
There is no universal “best” format. For a website, check browser, CMS and CDN fallback requirements. For maximum compatibility with older applications, JPEG or PNG may still be safer.
Should you use GIMP or a dedicated converter?
| Need | Most suitable approach |
|---|---|
| Layered raster editing, masking and retouching | GIMP, saving the working file as XCF |
| One-off conversion or batch processing | A dedicated converter such as heif-convert, ImageMagick or an operating-system tool |
| Professional PSD compatibility and a broad commercial ecosystem | Photoshop, whose current plans are listed at Adobe’s pricing page |
| Native Apple workflow on a Mac | Pixelmator Pro, which lists HEIF and AVIF compatibility in its App Store listing and export documentation at Apple Support |
Paid software is an alternative for workflow breadth, not a prerequisite for AVIF or HEIC support. The right choice depends on whether you need editing, conversion speed, platform integration or maximum compatibility.
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GIMP 2.10.22 is capable of AVIF import/export and improved HEIC/HEIF handling, but support is conditional. The HEIF plug-in, libheif and the relevant AV1 or HEVC back ends must all be present, and import capability may differ from export capability. AVIF was technically available in 2.10.20; 2.10.22 made it an official release highlight and improved the surrounding HEIF workflow. For current projects, install a newer supported GIMP build and verify the actual formats shown by File → Open and File → Export As.
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