Cookie Policy
Last updated:
The short version: We use only the cookies needed to remember your consent choice, plus Google Analytics and Google AdSense — and Google's cookies only load if you accept. Your converted images never use cookies and are never sent off your device.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. They're widely used to make websites work, to make them work more efficiently, and to provide information to the site's owners and their partners. Browsers also store similar data using related technologies (localStorage, sessionStorage, IndexedDB) — for the purposes of this policy we treat all of these as "cookies."
2. The cookies HEIF Converter uses
2.1 Strictly necessary (always on)
These are needed for the site to function. They cannot be disabled and don't require consent.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
heif_cookie_consent | HEIF Converter | Remembers whether you accepted or declined optional cookies, so we don't keep asking. | 1 year (localStorage) |
heif_site_config | HEIF Converter | Stores your site preferences set in the admin dashboard, if you've used it. Not present for ordinary visitors. | Persistent until cleared |
2.2 Analytics (consent-based, loaded only if you accept)
We use Google Analytics 4 to understand which pages get visited and where users come from. No personally identifying information is collected.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Distinguishes unique visitors (anonymous ID) | 2 years | |
_ga_<ID> | Persists session state for the GA4 property | 2 years | |
_gid | Distinguishes unique visitors during a single day | 24 hours | |
_gat | Throttles request rate to GA servers | 1 minute |
You can opt out of Google Analytics globally by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
2.3 Advertising (consent-based, loaded only if you accept)
We display ads through Google AdSense, which is how this tool stays free. Google and its advertising partners may set cookies to show relevant ads, measure ad performance, and prevent the same ad from being shown to you repeatedly.
| Name | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
__gads / __gpi | Ad serving, frequency capping, anonymous ad measurement | 13 months | |
NID | Stores ad preferences linked to your Google account (if logged in) | 6 months | |
IDE | Google (DoubleClick) | Anonymous ad targeting and reporting across sites | 13 months |
_gcl_au | Conversion tracking for AdSense | 3 months |
Google AdSense supports the IAB Transparency & Consent Framework (TCF) v2.0 for users in the EU/EEA. You can adjust ad personalisation any time at adssettings.google.com.
3. Manage your consent
4. Control cookies in your browser
Most browsers allow you to refuse or delete cookies. The exact controls differ:
- Chrome — Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
- Safari (Mac) — Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
- Safari (iOS) — Settings app → Safari → Clear History and Website Data
- Firefox — Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
- Edge — Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies
Blocking all cookies will still let you use HEIF Converter — the actual image conversion is fully cookie-free and runs only in your browser.
5. Cookies on linked sites
HEIF Converter links out to external sites (for example, Google's policies, the libheif project, our hosting provider). Those sites set their own cookies, governed by their own policies — we have no control over them.
6. Updates to this policy
If we add a new analytics or advertising partner, or significantly change how cookies are used, we'll update this page and refresh the "Last updated" date. For material changes, you'll see the consent banner again so you can review your choices.
7. Questions
For cookie or privacy questions, email privacy@heifconverter.com. See our Privacy Policy for the wider picture and our contact page for other enquiries.
Read more
- Privacy Policy — the broader privacy picture
- Terms of Service — the rules of using the converter
- About HEIF Converter — who runs the site and why
- Contact — get in touch with us