HEIC is Apple's camera format that stores iPhone and iPad photos with HEVC compression, while PSD is Adobe Photoshop's native format designed for professional image editing with layers, masks, and non-destructive adjustments. Converting HEIC to PSD creates a single-layer Photoshop document from your Apple device photo, ready for professional retouching, compositing, and creative editing.

This conversion is essential for photographers and designers who shoot on iPhone but edit in Photoshop. While recent Photoshop versions can open HEIC directly, many professionals use older installations, and PSD-compatible alternatives like Affinity Photo, GIMP, or Photopea may not support HEIC natively.

Photoshop remains the industry-standard tool for professional photo retouching, portrait editing, compositing, and creative manipulation. Converting HEIC to PSD creates a file that opens instantly in any version of Photoshop (CS2+) and compatible editors without requiring HEIC codec installation. This is particularly important in studio environments with managed IT systems where installing additional codecs may not be permitted.

PSD is also the standard delivery format between photographers, retouchers, and designers. Agencies expect layered PSD files, and starting with a properly formatted PSD base layer from the HEIC source streamlines the professional editing workflow. The PSD format preserves the full resolution and color fidelity of the decoded iPhone photo.

Sharp decodes the HEIC file and converts Apple's Display P3 color to sRGB (8 bits per channel). The pixel data is written as a single flattened background layer in PSD format with RLE compression. The PSD file includes composite preview data, color mode specification (RGB), and image dimensions. ICC profile information is embedded when available. Live Photo motion data and depth maps are discarded — only the primary still image becomes the PSD background layer.

The converted PSD contains a single background layer with the decoded HEIC image. You can add layers, masks, and adjustments in Photoshop after opening. There are no layers in the HEIC source to preserve.

Yes. Affinity Photo, GIMP, Photopea, Paint.NET (with plugin), and many other editors support PSD files. A single-layer PSD is universally compatible across these applications.

A standard 12 MP iPhone photo (4032x3024) produces a PSD of approximately 35-50 MB with RLE compression. 48 MP iPhone 15 Pro photos produce PSD files of 120-180 MB.

No. The PSD contains only the flat 2D image with the bokeh effect baked in. The depth map data that allows post-capture focus adjustment is not included in the PSD.

PSD is better if you plan to use Photoshop-specific features (layers, smart objects, blend modes). TIFF is better for general archival or workflows using non-Adobe tools.

Device	HEIC	PSD
Windows PC	Partial	Partial
macOS	Native	Partial
iPhone/iPad	Native	Partial
Android	Partial	Partial
Linux	Partial	Partial
Web Browser	No	No

Feature	HEIC	PSD
Full Name	High Efficiency Image Container	Adobe Photoshop Document
Extension	.heic	.psd
Best For	Apple native	Layer support

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