If you want the fast answer: use the app in Section 1 or the Shortcut in Section 2. Pick 1080p, 30 fps, 4-8 Mbps (about 30-60 MB per minute). For texts and messages, try 720p, 30 fps, 2-3 Mbps.
Before You Start
-
Check your video info Open Photos → your video → tap i (Info). Note the size, resolution (like 3840×2160), and fps (like 60).
-
Make a copy In Photos, tap ••• → Duplicate. Edit the copy so you always keep the original.
1) Use the Free "Compress Videos & Resize Video" App
- Install Compress Videos & Resize Video.
- Open it → Select Video(s).
- Set Resolution (1080p or 720p), Frame Rate (30 fps), and Bitrate (see the chart below).
- Tap Compress → Save. The new video shows up in Photos.
Why use this: It is quick, free, and lets you choose the final size.
2) iOS Shortcuts (built in)
Use a ready shortcut
- Open Shortcuts → Gallery → search Reduce Video Size → Add.
- Run it → pick your video → it saves a smaller copy.
Make your own (one time setup)
- Shortcuts → + → Add Action → search Encode Media.
- Set Video Size to 1080p or 720p, Frame Rate to 30. Choose HEVC (smaller) or H.264 (more compatible).
- Add Save to Photo Album or Save File.
- Name it Compress to 1080p. Now it is one tap from the Share Sheet.
Why use this: Free, private, and repeatable.
3) Online Tools (no install)
Good for: A quick one-time job. Watch out: Uploading big files can be slow and uses data. Avoid this for private or sensitive videos.
4) iMovie (free from Apple)
- Open iMovie → Create Project → Movie → pick your clip → Create Movie.
- Tap Share → Save Video → choose 1080p or 720p.
Simple, offline, and reliable.
5) Files App: Zip vs Real Compression
You can zip a video in Files (Select → ••• → Compress). But most videos are already compressed, so zipping rarely helps. Use the methods above to re-encode instead.
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.