Convert from the Photos share sheet
Select RAW or ProRAW photos in Photos, use Share, and send them to RAWtoHEIC for background conversion back into your library.
Raw To HEIC
Raw To HEIC converts camera RAW and ProRAW photos to compact HEIC on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, keeping key metadata and Photos organization intact on-device.
Overview
Raw To HEIC is a photo utility for turning camera RAW and ProRAW images into compact HEIC files from within Apple’s ecosystem. It is built for people who want to reduce photo-library storage without leaving the device or uploading images to a service.
The app’s core workflow starts from the Photos share sheet, with support also mentioned for Files and Finder. According to the listing, conversions stay on-device, edited RAWs can be handled correctly, and the result is written back to Photos with key metadata and album context intact.
Features
Metadata and library context preserved
Preserve EXIF, XMP, ICC, GPS, lens information, capture date, favorites, and album membership so converted files stay organized and searchable.
HDR-aware output
Generate ISO 21496-1 gain maps for HDR-capable displays while keeping results tone-mapped for SDR viewing; ProRAW DNGs keep their original HDR auxiliary data.
Wide input and re-encode support
Convert Canon CR3/CR2, Nikon NEF, Sony ARW, Fuji RAF, Olympus ORF, Panasonic RW2, Adobe DNG, and iPhone ProRAW, and re-encode HEIC, HEIF, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF.
Space cleanup after conversion
Choose whether to remove originals after verification, with deletion confirmed through the standard Photos prompt and original copies kept if you prefer.
Progress feedback across devices
See conversion status in the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island on iPhone, in the macOS status-bar item, or through iPad notifications when a batch completes.
Use Cases
Reduce photo library storage
If your iPhone or camera shoots RAW or ProRAW and your library is growing quickly, the app can convert those images into smaller HEIC files to recover storage space while keeping them in Photos.
Preserve library organization
For photographers who sort images into albums or rely on starred favorites, the app keeps those library relationships and metadata so converted files remain easy to find later.
Convert files outside Photos
If you want to share or archive files from the Files app or Finder rather than Photos, the app can convert loose RAW files in place and place the HEIC result next to the source file.
Maintain HDR-aware output
When you need HDR-capable viewing on supported displays, the app’s gain-map approach is designed to keep brightness and highlight behavior compatible with HDR while still looking acceptable on SDR screens.
Clean up originals after verification
For people who want to free space after checking the result, the app lets you choose whether to keep the original RAW file or remove it after conversion.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Converts RAW and ProRAW photos into smaller HEIC files for storage savings.
- Keeps important metadata and Photos organization details intact, including favorites and album membership.
- Processes files on-device without uploads, accounts, analytics, or third-party SDKs for photo data.
- Supports an HDR-aware conversion path rather than flattening everything to a basic SDR output.
- Includes device-specific progress indicators and batch handling for a smoother workflow.
Cons
- The app requires recent Apple operating systems: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
- The App Store evidence is limited, so some workflow details and edge cases are not fully documented in the source material.
FAQ
What is Raw To HEIC?
It is an App Store app from Sandro Gumz for converting camera RAW and ProRAW photos into HEIC files.
Which Apple devices and operating systems does it support?
The listing says it works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with requirements of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS 15 Sequoia or later.
Does Raw To HEIC send photos to a server?
The app processes conversions on-device and says there are no uploads, no account requirement, and no third-party SDKs or telemetry for photo data.
How do you start a conversion?
The listing says you can convert from the Photos share sheet, and also from Files or Finder for loose RAW files.
How is it priced?
The App Store listing says there is a one-time purchase available and no subscription is required, while also noting Universal Purchase across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Photo & Video
- Platforms
- iPhone, iPad, Mac
- Developer
- Sandro Gumz
- Store domain
- apps.apple.com
- Primary workflow
- Convert RAW and ProRAW photos to HEIC from Photos, Files, or Finder
- Requirements
- iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS 15 Sequoia or later
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