Use the free Compress Videos & Resize Video app or iOS Shortcuts.
Pick 1080p, 30 fps, 4-8 Mbps (30-60 MB per minute).
Or just keep the full quality:
Skip compression entirely - send full-quality videos via Transfer.zip (no size limit, end-to-end encrypted, instant P2P sharing).
Before You Start
Check your video info in Photos → video → i (Info) to see size, resolution, and fps. Always duplicate the video first (••• → Duplicate) so you keep the original.
1) Use the Free "Compress Videos & Resize Video" App
Install Compress Videos & Resize Video, select your video, set resolution (1080p/720p), frame rate (30 fps), and bitrate, then compress. Quick, free, and gives you control over the final size.
2) iOS Shortcuts (built in)
Search for "Reduce Video Size" in the Shortcuts Gallery and add it. Run it, pick your video, and it saves a smaller copy.
For custom settings, create your own shortcut using the Encode Media action—set video size (1080p/720p), frame rate (30), and codec (HEVC for smaller files, H.264 for compatibility). Free, private, and repeatable.
3) Online Tools (no install)
Browser tools like Vert.sh, Clideo, or VEED.IO let you upload, compress, and download without installing anything.
- A quick one-time job
- Uploading big files can be slow and uses data
- Avoid this for private or sensitive videos
4) iMovie (free from Apple)
Create a new movie project with your clip, then Share → Save Video at 1080p or 720p. Simple, offline, and reliable.
Compression Cheat Sheet
| Goal | Resolution | Frame rate | Bitrate target | About size per minute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texts/Messaging | 720p | 30 fps | 2-3 Mbps | ~15-23 MB |
| General sharing | 1080p | 30 fps | 4-8 Mbps | ~30-60 MB |
| Social (Reels/TikTok/Shorts) | 1080×1920 | 30 or 60 fps | 8-12 Mbps | ~60-90+ MB |
| Email limits (strict) | 720p | 30 fps | 1.5-2 Mbps | ~11-15 MB |
Quick math: MB per minute ≈ (bitrate in Mbps ÷ 8) × 60. Example: 6 Mbps → 0.75 MB per second → about 45 MB per minute.
HEVC vs H.264
- HEVC (H.265): smaller files, best for Apple devices. Some older devices may not play it.
- H.264: works almost everywhere, but files are a bit bigger.
Quality Tips
- 60 fps → 30 fps to cut size fast.
- Use 1080p instead of 4K unless you truly need 4K.
- Turn off HDR before recording if you plan to share widely.
- Trim first in Photos to remove parts you do not need.
- Crop or straighten to remove extra edges.
- Keep the camera steady. Shaky video needs more data to look good.
Troubleshooting
- Lots of motion or tiny details (sports, water, grass) need a higher bitrate.
- Very dark clips can look noisy; raise bitrate a little.
- Audio too big: use AAC at 128-192 kbps.
- HDR/10-bit footage can be large; export to standard SDR/8-bit if you can.
- Zipping did nothing: re-encode with the app or a Shortcut instead.
Keep or Delete the Original
- Compare the new file with the old one. If happy, you can delete the original to save space.
- If you use iCloud Photos, deleting on your iPhone deletes it everywhere. Save a copy to Files or another cloud first if you want to keep it.
Privacy and Sharing
- AirDrop or a cloud link keeps full quality.
- Messaging apps may shrink your video again. Send a link if quality matters.
- Do not upload private videos to online tools.
Record Smaller Next Time
- Settings → Camera → Formats → High Efficiency (HEVC).
- Settings → Camera → Record Video → 1080p at 30 fps.
- Turn off HDR Video if you share to older or mixed devices.
- Use Auto FPS to keep low-light files smaller.
FAQs
Will compressing lower quality? Yes, a little. That is normal. Keep the original until you are sure.
What if someone cannot play HEVC? Export as H.264 or share a cloud link so they can download and convert.
Where is my compressed file? With apps: usually in Photos. With Shortcuts: in Photos or Files, depending on what you chose.
Tip: Trim extra parts in the Photos app before compressing to save more space.