[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #42775: Support uploading files in HEIF and HEVC formats

[WordPress Trac]

#42775: Support uploading files in HEIF and HEVC formats
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 Reporter:  mattheweppelsheimer            |       Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement                    |      Status:  new
 Priority:  normal                         |   Milestone:  5.5
Component:  Upload                         |     Version:
 Severity:  minor                          |  Resolution:
 Keywords:  needs-patch 2nd-opinion close  |     Focuses:  administration
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Changes (by desrosj):

 * keywords:  needs-patch 2nd-opinion => needs-patch 2nd-opinion close


Comment:

 I did some testing today to see how different scenarios are handled. I did
 experience a few hiccups with HEIC files that I'd like to detail here.

 There is a setting in Settings > Photos called "Transfer to Mac or PC".
 This setting dictates whether to always keep the original file format or
 to automatically check for compatibility and export as a compatible
 format. I _believe_ this is set to automatic (always convert to a
 compatible format).

 In the past, I somehow had this set to "Keep Originals". When this is
 selected, if photos are transferred to a device, unless the application
 sharing converts the file (Gmail seems to convert to JPG), the file is
 shared/transferred as HEIC (using Airdrop this happens, for example). If a
 user tries to upload that file to their site, it will return the "Sorry,
 this file type is not permitted for security reasons" warning.

 Even with "Keep Originals" selected, uploading an image to the media
 library through Safari and Firefox appears to convert the image to JPG
 format on iOS. This is opposite behavior as desktop.

 Another situation would be if a user has an older version of MacOS (Sierra
 or earlier) that does not support HEIC. The previously mentioned setting
 would also need to be set to "Keep Originals". It would be impossible for
 the user to convert the file to JPG or similar format locally without the
 help of an additional application.

 I am in the camp that core should not support this format yet.

 I could be wrong, but I don't think that there is currently a way core can
 convert HEVC files. So even if support is added for HEIC files by
 generating a JPG file for maximum support (while maintaining the HEIC file
 as the original), it doesn't solve the HEVC problem.

 In my opinion, a plugin is the best place for this until (if) browsers
 start adopting support for this. I propose closing as `maybelater`.

 A few other thoughts. @mattheweppelsheimer had mentioned .flac files
 above. This was addressed already in r42451. There is also a separate
 ticket for .webp format (#35725). However, support for that format is also
 still lacking.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/42775#comment:31>
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