High Efficiency vs Most Compatible on iPhone: which should you use?

By Con, founder of Music Wide Selfie · Updated 22 October 2026

Short answerHigh Efficiency saves video as HEVC and photos as HEIF, using much less storage at similar quality. Most Compatible saves H.264 video and JPEG photos, which open almost everywhere but take more space. Keep High Efficiency unless something you use can’t open the files.

What changes

High Efficiency: HEVC video, HEIF photos, smaller files.
Most Compatible: H.264 video, JPEG photos, larger files.

When to switch

Switch to Most Compatible if an older computer, editor or website can’t open your files. Otherwise, High Efficiency saves a lot of space. Some high-frame-rate 4K modes need High Efficiency.

Sharing usually converts automatically

When you share to many apps, the iPhone can convert to a compatible format. On a Mac or PC, check Settings › Photos › Transfer to Mac or PC (Automatic converts; Keep Originals doesn’t).

Where it is

Settings › Camera › Formats.

Questions

Is HEVC lower quality?

Not usually. It’s a more efficient way of compressing similar quality into smaller files.

About Music Wide Selfie

An iPhone camera app for people who film themselves, coming soon to the App Store. One email when it launches.

One email when the app is ready. Nothing else.