Krita 5.2.16 fixes the image‑saving headache that got everyone a bit frustrated
The latest Krita update rolls out to all major platforms with one clear goal in mind: stop crashing when you try to save your favorite HEIF, HEIC or AVIF files. The bug had been lurking behind the scenes for a while—users kept reporting “the file never finishes saving” after an upgrade, and on some machines the app would simply freeze mid‑save. Krita’s developers decided the fix was worth a quick release instead of waiting for 5.3.
Why it matters
For anyone who edits RAWs or high‑resolution photos with Krita, the ability to export directly to HEIF/HEIC/AVIF is not just a convenience; on macOS and recent Windows builds it’s often the default format because of its compression efficiency. A save that stalls can ruin an entire workflow, especially if you’re in the middle of a deadline. The new 5.2.16 patch patches the underlying codec integration that had been mismanaging file descriptors.
What changed
- HEIF/HEIC/AVIF saving bug fixed – the crash that stopped files from being written is gone.
- Minor tweaks to the AppImage runtime handling mean some older AppImageLauncher versions may refuse to launch Krita. The release notes point you to the runtime documentation for a quick fix if you hit that snare.
- 32‑bit Windows builds are no longer shipped; only x64 installers and portable zips are offered.
How to get it
Linux (AppImage)
Download krita-5.2.16-x86_64.AppImage, give it execute permission, and run it. If you’re using AppImageLauncher, make sure its runtime is up‑to‑date or follow the troubleshooting guide linked in the release notes.
Windows – installer
Run krita-x64-5.2.16-setup.exe. The wizard will install Krita into Program Files and add a Start Menu shortcut. If you prefer to keep everything on your desktop, use the portable zip instead.Windows – portable
Unzip krita-x64-5.2.16.zip wherever you like. Double‑click the Krita.exe inside that folder; it will share settings with any installed copy but won’t touch the registry.macOS
Open krita-5.2.16-signed.dmg, drag the application into Applications, and launch it from there. The signed image means macOS Gatekeeper won’t barf on first run.A quick note for debugging
If you still hit a crash or an odd error message, grab the debug symbols folder that ships with the installers—copying it to your main Krita directory lets the developers pull up stack traces later. It’s a small extra step that saves a lot of back‑and‑forth when troubleshooting.
That’s all there is to it. Install 5.2.16, hit “Save as… HEIF,” and let your images flow out without hiccups.
