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How-To

Updated March 8, 2026

By Jack Smith, iOS Developer at DB Labs

How to Compress Video on iPhone

Videos are the biggest storage consumers on iPhone. A single 4K minute uses up to 600 MB. Here are the most effective ways to compress videos and save storage.

Quick answer: For new videos, go to Settings > Camera > Record Video and choose 1080p HD at 30 fps instead of 4K — reduces file size by ~73%. For existing videos, import into iMovie and export at lower resolution, or trim unwanted portions in the Photos editor.

Method 1: Lower Recording Resolution

The most impactful change you can make is recording at a lower resolution. Most people cannot tell the difference between 1080p and 4K on a phone screen.

  1. Go to Settings > Camera

    Open Settings and tap Camera.

  2. Tap Record Video

    Tap Record Video to see all available resolutions.

  3. Choose a lower resolution

    Select 1080p HD at 30 fps for a good balance of quality and file size. This is about 130 MB per minute vs. 350-600 MB per minute at 4K. Lower still to 720p if you need maximum compression.

Method 2: Switch to HEVC (High Efficiency Video)

  1. Open Settings > Camera > Formats

    Go to Settings > Camera > Formats.

  2. Select High Efficiency

    Under Video Recording, tap High Efficiency. This switches from H.264 to HEVC (H.265), which produces files about 40% smaller at the same visual quality.

Method 3: Trim Videos in Photos

Trimming removes the beginning or end of a video — eliminating dead time reduces file size proportionally.

  1. Open the video in Photos

    Open the Photos app, find the video, and tap it.

  2. Tap Edit

    Tap Edit in the top-right corner.

  3. Drag the yellow trim handles

    Drag the yellow handles at the left and right of the video timeline to trim the start and end. Play back to check.

  4. Tap Done and Save as New Clip

    Tap Done, then select Save as New Clip to keep the original and also save the trimmed version.

Method 4: Compress with iMovie

  1. Open iMovie and create a new Movie project

    Open the free iMovie app. Tap the + button and select Movie. Select your video from the library.

  2. Tap the Share button and select Save Video

    Tap the Share button (box with arrow), then tap Save Video.

  3. Choose a lower export resolution

    Select 360p or 540p for significant compression. The exported file will be saved to Photos at the lower resolution.

Video Storage Size Reference

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much storage does a 1-minute iPhone video use?

It depends on resolution: 1080p at 30fps ≈ 130 MB/minute. 4K at 30fps ≈ 350 MB/minute. 4K at 60fps ≈ 600 MB/minute. Switching from 4K 60fps to 1080p 30fps reduces file size by about 78% — a massive difference.

What is the best iPhone video format for smaller file size?

HEVC (H.265) is about 40% more efficient than H.264 at the same quality level. Enable it by going to Settings > Camera > Formats and selecting High Efficiency. Most modern devices, platforms, and players support HEVC.

Can I compress existing videos on iPhone without a computer?

Yes. Import the video into iMovie (free on iPhone) and export at a lower resolution. You can also use the Shortcuts app with an Encode Media action to transcode to a smaller format. Both methods work entirely on-device with no computer needed.

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