How to Reduce Photo File Size on iPhone and Mac

Many sites have limitations for uploading images such as your photo or documents. One such practice is in place for sites to manage a large database of photos without affecting the overall performance of the site. So if you are trying to upload a photo or photocopy of a document, you can reduce its file size directly from your iPhone and Mac.

With better cameras, the file size of photos and document scans has also increased dramatically. These images are suitable for printing purposes. When it comes to sharing, you need to reduce the photo file size for fast uploading or transferring process. If you have transferred those photos from Android to iPhone or Mac and want to reduce the size of the image, read on to find out how to do it.

Reduce photo file size on iPhone

There is no native way to reduce photo file size on iPhone. You can’t even see the photo file size from the default Photos app. You will need to save the photos in the Apple Files app to view the size. Let’s see how to reduce image file size on iPhone.

1. Change the capture format of the camera

The most common form of image and video formats may be the reason why your camera images take up so much space. Apple introduced the new optional High-Efficiency Image Container (HEIC) format over JPEG. HEIC offers high quality images in a smaller size. Follow the steps below to change the camera capture format.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on the iPhone.

2nd step: Scroll down to the Camera section.

Step 3: Go to Formats and select High Efficiency from the next menu.

That’s all. Now Apple will use HEIC format to take photos which save space and reduce photo file size. However, these images still weigh a few MB in weight. To reduce it further, you will need to use a third-party app.

2. Use the image size app

As the name suggests, the Image Size app allows you to resize an image to any size you want quickly and easily. You can specify the output format using one of the following four measurement units: pixels, millimeters, centimeters, and inches. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Download the Image Size app from the link below.

Download Image Size for iPhone

2nd step: Open the app and allow it to access the library.

Step 3: Select the photo in the Photos app.

Step 4: Select Pixel from the menu above and enter the desired width and height for the photo.

Step 5: Use the bottom option Save, Share, Email or Print to export the image.

We love how the app offers live data on a reduced file size before saving the image.

3. Send images to yourself on WhatsApp or Telegram

Have you noticed that most social media file sizes are smaller than regular files? When you upload an image to social media and re-upload it, the size decreases significantly. You can apply this method to both photos and videos to reduce their size on your iPhone.

We have seen many users create a WhatsApp group with only one member – Self.

Open WhatsApp on your iPhone, create a group, and start sending photos to yourself. You can save them from WhatsApp on iPhone or use WhatsApp desktop app on Mac to download pictures at reduced size.

Reduce photo file size on Mac

The process is less complicated on Mac. The reason being the built-in way to reduce image file size on Mac. One can also change the image file type using the default Image Viewer application on Mac. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Send photos from iPhone to Mac using AirDrop or opt for iCloud, Google Photos, or OneDrive.

2nd step: Open the image using the default image preview on Mac.

Step 3: Go to File on the menu bar.

Step 4: Select Export from the following menu.

Step 5: macOS will ask you to select the location and type of file. Under the file type option, you will have a slider to reduce the size of the image.

Step 6: Drag it down according to your needs and the operating system will calculate the approximate file size for you.

Hit the Save button when you’re done.

Compress Pictures on iPhone and Mac

You can use Mac’s default method to reduce image size. It works flawlessly and doesn’t require any intervention from a third-party app to get things done.

Did you find another way to reduce the file size? Share your preference in the comments section below.