HEIF magic bytes (.heif)
.heif file signature: 66 74 79 70 6D 69 66 31 | image/heif
Category: Images
High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) is a container format standardized by ISO/IEC and developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) for storing image data and related metadata. It is used for still images, image sequences, and auxiliary image information in cameras, mobile devices, and photo applications, often supporting advanced compression features. HEIF is generally safe to open, though support varies across software and some files may contain multiple images or metadata that require compatible viewers.
Magic Bytes
Offset 4
66 74 79 70 6D 69 66 31
Sources: Apache Tika
Validation Code
How to validate .heif files in Python
def is_heif(file_path: str) -> bool:
"""Check if file is a valid HEIF by magic bytes at offset 4."""
signature = bytes([0x66, 0x74, 0x79, 0x70, 0x6D, 0x69, 0x66, 0x31])
with open(file_path, "rb") as f:
f.seek(4)
return f.read(8) == signatureHow to validate .heif files in Node.js
function isHEIF(buffer: Buffer): boolean {
const signature = Buffer.from([0x66, 0x74, 0x79, 0x70, 0x6D, 0x69, 0x66, 0x31]);
if (buffer.length < 12) return false;
return buffer.subarray(4, 12).equals(signature);
}How to validate .heif files in Go
func IsHEIF(data []byte) bool {
signature := []byte{0x66, 0x74, 0x79, 0x70, 0x6D, 0x69, 0x66, 0x31}
if len(data) < 12 {
return false
}
return bytes.Equal(data[4:12], signature)
}API Endpoint
/api/v1/heif
curl https://filesignature.org/api/v1/heif
See the full API documentation for all endpoints and parameters.
Related Formats
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .heif file?
A .heif file is identified by the magic bytes 66 74 79 70 6D 69 66 31 at byte offset 4. High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) is a container format standardized by ISO/IEC and developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) for storing image data and related metadata. It is used for still images, image sequences, and auxiliary image information in cameras, mobile devices, and photo applications, often supporting advanced compression features. HEIF is generally safe to open, though support varies across software and some files may contain multiple images or metadata that require compatible viewers.
What are the magic bytes for .heif files?
The magic bytes for HEIF (.heif) files are 66 74 79 70 6D 69 66 31 at byte offset 4. These bytes identify the file format more reliably than the extension alone.
How do I validate a .heif file?
To validate a .heif file, read the first bytes of the file and compare them against the known magic bytes (66 74 79 70 6D 69 66 31) at offset 4. This is more reliable than checking the file extension alone, as extensions can be renamed.
What is the MIME type for .heif files?
The primary MIME type for .heif files is image/heif.
Is it safe to open .heif files?
HEIF (.heif) files are generally safe to open. They are classified as low risk because they primarily contain data rather than executable code. However, always ensure files come from a trusted source.