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How to compress video on iPhone without losing much quality

The short answer

To compress video on iPhone and keep the quality as much as possible, use Standard compression in PicWay. The change in quality is hard to see, so it’s good for videos you’ll want to look at closely. It makes a new video and keeps the original until you’ve compared them and chosen to delete it.

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How to do it

  1. Pick the videos

    Tap Compress on the Memories tab, choose your photos on the Pick photos or videos to compress screen, then tap Compress. You can also touch and hold a video in your library and choose Compress, or tap Share in the Photos app and scroll to Compress.

  2. Check the level, and change it if you like

    Standard compression is the default. Queued compressions are on the Set aside page. Tap the level on the card to switch to Strong compression. If it’s already compressed, it compresses again at the new level.

  3. Tap Compare to check the new version

    When it’s done, tap Compare on the card to see the original and compressed versions side by side.

  4. Delete the original when you’re happy

    On the Set aside page, delete the original. Space is freed once iOS confirms. Changed your mind? Tap Put back. The original stays, and the compressed copy becomes a regular set-aside item for you to keep or delete.

Two levels to compress video on iPhone

LevelGood forWhat to expect
Standard compression (default)Videos you’ll want to look at closelyThe change in quality is hard to see
Strong compressionEveryday clipsShrinks them further

A compressed video won’t be exactly the same as the original. How much you save and how much changes depends on the video. If you’re not sure, start with Standard, then tap Compare and see for yourself. Your original stays until you decide, so there’s no rush.

When PicWay won’t force it

  • Spatial and Cinematic videos: skipped automatically, so they keep their depth.
  • Too little to save: for example, if a video shrinks by less than 10%, PicWay discards the compressed copy, leaves the original alone, and tells you why.

Capture time and location are kept after compressing.

What if the video is in iCloud?

It still works. When you’re online, PicWay downloads the original first, then compresses it. By default, videos of 500 MB or more download only over Wi-Fi, not cellular. You can change this in PicWay’s settings under Large videos: Wi-Fi only.

Do I have to keep the app open?

No. Queued compressions continue in the background, as long as Background App Refresh is on for PicWay in iPhone Settings. They pause in Low Power Mode and continue when it’s off. They also pause if your iPhone gets hot and continue when it cools down.