How to Decrease The Size Of A Video on iPhone

Have you ever come across a situation where you needed to decrease the size of a video on your iPhone? Maybe you wanted to share a video with a friend, but it was too large to send over text message or email. Or perhaps you wanted to free up some storage space on your iPhone by reducing the size of your video library. Whatever the reason may be, knowing how to decrease the size of a video on your iPhone can be a valuable skill. In this blog post, we will explore several methods that you can use to achieve this task. We will provide step-by-step instructions, along with some additional tips and frequently asked questions to help you along the way.

Video Tutorial:

The Challenge of Decreasing Video Size

Decreasing the size of a video can be a challenge because videos are typically large files. This is especially true if you have recorded the video in high definition. The larger the file size, the longer it takes to upload, download, or share the video. Additionally, videos take up a significant amount of storage space on your iPhone, which can be a concern if you have limited storage capacity.

Things You Should Prepare for

Before we dive into the methods of decreasing the size of a video on your iPhone, there are a few things you should prepare for:

1. Make sure you have enough available storage space on your iPhone. If your storage is already full, you may need to delete some files or apps to make room for the reduced video files.
2. Understand that reducing the size of a video may result in a loss of video quality. This is because video compression techniques are used to decrease the file size, which can lead to a slight degradation in video resolution or sharpness.
3. Back up your original videos before making any changes. This is important in case you want to revert to the original files or if any issues arise during the compression process.

Now that you’re prepared, let’s explore the methods for decreasing the size of a video on your iPhone.

Method 1: How to Decrease Video Size via the Photos App

The Photos app on your iPhone provides a convenient way to decrease the size of a video without the need for additional apps. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to the video you want to decrease the size of.
3. Tap on the video to open it in full screen.
4. Tap on the "Edit" button in the top-right corner of the screen.
5. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a timeline of the video. Tap on the crop icon (a square with arrows pointing outwards) to enter the editing mode.
6. You’ll now see a frame selection tool around the video. To decrease the size of the video, drag the corner handles of the frame selection tool towards the center. This will crop the video and reduce its dimensions.
7. Once you’re satisfied with the new frame size, tap on the "Done" button in the bottom-right corner.
8. Tap on "Save as New Clip" to save the cropped video as a separate file. This way, you’ll still have the original video as well.
9. The cropped video will now be saved in your Photos library, and its size will be smaller compared to the original video.

Pros:
1. No need for additional apps.
2. Quick and easy to use.
3. Provides visual feedback in real-time.

Cons:
1. Cropping the video may result in a loss of important content.
2. The video quality might be slightly affected due to the compression applied during cropping.

Method 2: How to Decrease Video Size Using a Third-Party App

If you prefer to have more control over the compression settings and want to explore additional options, using a third-party app is a great choice. Here’s how you can decrease the video size using a third-party app called Video Compress:

1. Download and install the Video Compress app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and tap on the "Add" button to select the video you want to compress from your iPhone’s library.
3. Once you’ve selected the video, you’ll see various compression options. You can choose to decrease the resolution, adjust the bit rate, or change the video format.
4. Select the desired compression settings based on your preferences. Keep in mind that decreasing the resolution and bit rate will result in a smaller file size, but it may also reduce the overall video quality.
5. After selecting the compression settings, tap on the "Compress" button to start the compression process.
6. Once the compression is complete, the app will provide you with the option to save the compressed video to your iPhone’s library or share it directly from the app.

Pros:
1. Greater control over compression settings.
2. Option to select different compression options.
3. Ability to preview the compressed video before saving or sharing.

Cons:
1. Requires downloading and installing a third-party app.
2. Some features or settings may be limited in the free version of the app.

Method 3: How to Decrease Video Size via iMovie

If you’re looking for more advanced video editing capabilities, iMovie is a great app to use. In addition to basic video editing features, iMovie also allows you to decrease the size of a video. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Download and install the iMovie app from the App Store, if you don’t have it already.
2. Open iMovie and tap on the "+" button to create a new project.
3. Select "Movie" and choose the video you want to decrease the size of from your iPhone’s library.
4. Once the video is added to the project, tap on it to highlight it, and then tap on the "Share" button.
5. In the sharing options, select "File" to export the video as a file.
6. Choose the desired video resolution (lower resolution results in a smaller file size) and tap on "Next".
7. Select the destination where you want to save the compressed video and tap on "Save".

Pros:
1. Advanced video editing capabilities.
2. Option to select different video resolutions.
3. Ability to export the video to different destinations.

Cons:
1. Requires downloading and installing the iMovie app.
2. The app may take some time to learn and navigate for beginners.

Method 4: How to Decrease Video Size via Online Compression Tools

If you prefer not to download any additional apps or want to have the flexibility of compressing videos from different devices, using online compression tools is a convenient option. Here’s how you can decrease the video size using an online compression tool called Clideo:

1. Open your web browser on your iPhone and go to the Clideo website (www.clideo.com/video-compressor).
2. Tap on the "Choose file" button to select the video you want to compress from your iPhone’s library.
3. Once the video is uploaded, you’ll see various compression options. You can choose to decrease the resolution, adjust the bit rate, or change the video format.
4. Select the desired compression settings based on your preferences. Keep in mind that decreasing the resolution and bit rate will result in a smaller file size, but it may also reduce the overall video quality.
5. After selecting the compression settings, tap on the "Compress" button to start the compression process.
6. Once the compression is complete, you’ll be able to download the compressed video to your iPhone or share it directly from the website.

Pros:
1. No need to download or install any apps.
2. Can be accessed from any device with a web browser.
3. Offers various compression options.

Cons:
1. Requires a stable internet connection.
2. The compression speed can vary depending on the file size and internet speed.

Why Can’t I Decrease the Size of a Video?

There may be several reasons why you are unable to decrease the size of a video on your iPhone. Here are some possible reasons and their fixes:

1. Insufficient storage space: If your iPhone’s storage is full, you won’t be able to save the compressed video. To fix this, you can delete unnecessary files or apps to free up storage space.
2. Unsupported video format: If the video format is not compatible with the compression method or app you are using, you may encounter issues. Make sure the video is in a supported format or convert it to a compatible format before attempting to compress it.
3. Corrupted video file: If the video file is corrupted or damaged, the compression process may fail. In this case, try using a different method or app to compress the video, or consider repairing the video file before compression.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when decreasing the size of a video on your iPhone:

1. Use Wi-Fi for larger video files: Compressing large video files can take up a significant amount of data. To avoid data usage and potential interruptions, connect to a Wi-Fi network before compressing videos.
2. Experiment with different settings: Each method or app may offer different compression options. Try experimenting with different combinations of resolution, bit rate, and video format to find the best balance between video quality and file size.
3. Consider cloud storage options: If you frequently deal with large videos, consider using cloud storage services such as iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox to store and share your videos. These services often allow you to upload and download videos in their original quality and offer easy sharing options.

5 FAQs about Decreasing Video Size

Q1: Can I decrease the size of a video without losing quality?

A: Video compression techniques inherently involve a trade-off between file size and video quality. While it’s possible to minimize the loss of quality, decreasing the video size will inevitably result in some loss of video resolution or sharpness.

Q2: What is the best video resolution for reducing video size?

A: The best video resolution for reducing video size depends on your specific needs. Lower video resolutions (e.g., 720p or 480p) generally result in smaller file sizes, but they may also lead to a noticeable loss of video quality. Consider the intended use of the video and the platform or device it will be viewed on when selecting the resolution.

Q3: Can I compress videos without using any apps?

A: Yes, you can compress videos without using any apps by utilizing online compression tools that are accessible through web browsers. These tools allow you to upload your videos and apply compression settings directly from the browser.

Q4: Can I revert back to the original video after compressing it?

A: If you have backed up or saved your original video before compression, you can revert back to the original file by accessing the backup or saved file. It’s always recommended to create a backup before making any changes or compressions to your videos.

Q5: How do I share the compressed video with others?

A: Once you have compressed the video, you can share it through various means such as text messages, emails, or by uploading it to social media platforms. Most compression methods or apps provide options to save or share the compressed video directly from the app or tool.

In Conclusion

Decreasing the size of a video on your iPhone can be beneficial for various reasons, such as easier sharing, saving storage space, or optimizing video playback on different devices. In this blog post, we explored several methods for decreasing the video size, including using the Photos app, third-party apps, iMovie, and online compression tools. Each method has its pros and cons, and the best method for you may depend on your specific needs and preferences. Remember to consider the trade-off between video size and quality, and always back up your original videos before making any changes. With these methods and tips in mind, you can now confidently decrease the size of videos on your iPhone and enjoy the benefits that come with it.