Cannot Open AVIF File?

What is AVIF and Why Won't It Open?

AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is a next-generation image format developed by the Alliance for Open Media — the same organization behind the AV1 video codec. It provides dramatically better compression than JPEG and WebP: AVIF images are typically 50% smaller than equivalent JPEGs at the same visual quality.

Despite being technically superior, AVIF is still relatively new. It was first supported in major browsers around 2020–2022. Many desktop operating systems, image editors, and applications haven't been updated to handle it yet, which is why you're likely seeing an error when you try to open an AVIF file.

Why AVIF Files Won't Open on Windows

Windows 10 (version 1903+) and Windows 11 can open AVIF files in the Photos app — but only after installing the "AV1 Video Extension" from the Microsoft Store. Without this codec, AVIF files appear as unrecognized files with a broken thumbnail.

File Explorer, older image viewers, and applications like Microsoft Office may still be unable to display AVIF even with the codec installed. Converting to JPG using our AVIF to JPG converter is the most reliable and universal fix.

Why AVIF Files Won't Open on Older Macs

macOS Ventura (released October 2022) added native AVIF support to Preview and Quick Look. If you're running macOS Monterey, Big Sur, or earlier, AVIF files will not open in Preview. Updating macOS is one option, but converting the AVIF file to JPG or PNG is a faster and simpler fix.

Why AVIF Files Won't Open in Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop added AVIF support in version 23.2 (February 2022). If you're on an older version — or if the codec isn't installed on your system — Photoshop will refuse to open AVIF files. Convert to PNG for the best lossless result to work with in Photoshop.

Where Do AVIF Files Come From?

You're most likely encountering an AVIF file because:

• You right-clicked and saved an image from a website in Chrome or Firefox — many sites serve AVIF for performance.
• You downloaded an asset from a web project or design system.
• A developer or designer sent you an optimized image file.
• A web tool (like Squoosh or Sharp) converted your image to AVIF.

The Instant Fix: Convert AVIF to JPG or PNG

Converting your AVIF file to JPG or PNG makes it universally compatible — it will open in any software, on any device, without any codec installations.

1. Open converter.plus/avif-to-jpg in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
2. Drag your AVIF file onto the drop zone.
3. Click Convert.
4. Download your JPG file. Done.

Everything runs in your browser — your files are never uploaded to any server.