How to Compress Videos on iPhone and Android Easily: A Complete Guide

Large video files can be a real headache. They take up a lot of space on your phone, are hard to share over email or messaging apps, and often fail to upload smoothly to websites or social media.

For content creators, business professionals, and everyday users, this can slow things down—especially when you’re working with tight deadlines, limited storage, or need to send videos quickly.

That’s where AI Video Editor with its video compression feature comes in. It helps reduce the file size without losing much quality, making it easier to store, upload, and share videos.

Whether you're creating marketing content, recording team updates, or simply sharing a family video, knowing how to compress videos can save you time, space, and stress. And that is what we are going to discuss in this blog.

Understanding Video Compression

What is Video Compression?

Video compression is the process of making a video file smaller by removing unnecessary or repeated data. This doesn’t mean deleting important parts of your video, instead, it simply makes the file more efficient, so it takes up less space on your device.

Why Compress Videos?

There are several good reasons to compress your videos:

• Save storage space on your phone or computer.
• Upload faster to email, websites, or social media.
• Share more easily over messaging apps or cloud services.
• Reduce data usage, which is especially helpful if you're on a limited mobile plan.

Whether you're working on a business presentation, sending training videos, or sharing content online, compression makes everything quicker and more convenient.

Recommended Read: How to Compress Images: A Simple Guide to Reduce Photo Size

Impact on Quality

One thing to keep in mind is the trade-off between file size and quality. If a video is compressed too much, it can become blurry or lose detail. The goal is to find the right balance between making the file smaller and keeping the video clear enough for its purpose. Fortunately, many AI design tools today offer smart compression options that do exactly that.

Managing various video file formats and sizes are important task for iPhone users, especially for professionals, content creators, students, and anyone who frequently records or shares videos. Large video files can quickly eat up storage space, take too long to upload, and may not get sent properly over email or messaging apps. 

Fortunately, there are several ways to compress videos directly from an iPhone without compromising too much on quality. This section explores practical methods ranging from adjusting recording settings to using apps and online tools.

Adjusting Recording Settings

One of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your video sizes manageable is to start by recording them at a lower resolution. iPhones, by default, often record in high definition, such as 1080p or 4K, which results in large file sizes. Unless high resolution is necessary for your use case, adjusting these settings can make a big difference.

To reduce video size before recording, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on Camera.
3. Tap on Record Video.
4. Select a lower resolution, such as 720p at 30 frames per second.

Choosing 720p at 30 fps will significantly reduce the file size compared to 1080p or 4K options. This setting is generally good enough for everyday videos, social media content, or internal communication purposes. It also helps when you are working with limited storage or need to send files quickly without using a compressor afterward.

Using Built-in Tools

Apple provides useful built-in tools for users who want to edit or compress videos after recording. One of the most convenient tools is the iMovie app, which is free to download from the App Store if it is not already installed on your device.

Here is how to use iMovie to compress a video:

1. Open the iMovie app and tap to create a new project.
2. Choose Movie and then import the video you want to compress from your photo library.
3. Make any edits if needed or proceed directly to export.
4. Tap the Share button, then choose Save Video.
5. iMovie will ask you to select an export size. Choose a lower resolution, such as 540p or 720p, depending on your needs.
   
   

Compressing Videos on iPhone

The exported video will be saved to your Photos app, and the file size will be noticeably smaller than the original. This method is particularly useful for those who need a quick and reliable way to reduce file size without using any third-party software.

Third-Party Apps

If you are looking for more customization or a faster way to compress videos, there are several third-party apps available on the App Store that specialize in video compression.

One popular option is the app called Compress Videos and Resize Video. This app allows you to reduce file size by choosing different levels of compression. You can select the video from your gallery, choose the resolution and bitrate, and the app does the rest. It is user-friendly and efficient, making it a good choice for those who frequently work with large video files.

Another useful app is Filmr. While primarily known as a lightweight video editing app, Filmr also allows users to export videos at various resolutions. After importing your video and making any edits, you can select the output resolution before saving. This flexibility is helpful for users who want to both edit and compress videos within one app.

Online Compression Tools

If you prefer not to download another app, you can also compress videos directly in your browser using online tools. This is especially convenient if you are only compressing one or two videos and do not want to clutter your phone with extra apps.

To use an online video compressor, follow these steps:

1. Open Safari or Chrome on your iPhone.
2. Search for online video compressors. Trusted websites include Appy Pie AI Video Enhancer, Clideo, FreeConvert, and similar platforms.
3. Upload your video file from your device.
4. Choose the compression settings such as resolution and file size preferences.
5. Once compression is complete, download the smaller video file back to your phone.

Online tools are particularly useful when you are in a hurry or when working with larger videos that exceed typical app limits. However, they do require a stable internet connection and may not be suitable for sensitive or confidential content due to file upload privacy considerations.

Compressing Videos on Android

Reducing the resolution and frame rate significantly cuts down on the video file size. This approach is especially useful if you are capturing videos for personal use, internal communication, or platforms where ultra-high resolution is not necessary.

Adjusting Recording Settings

The best way to avoid large file sizes is by adjusting your video recording settings before capturing content. Most Android phones allow you to change the resolution and frame rate directly from the Camera app.

Here is how to reduce video size during recording:

1. Open the Camera app on your Android device.
2. Look for a gear icon or settings menu within the Camera app interface.
3. Tap on Video Resolution or a similar option, depending on your phone brand.
4. Select a lower resolution, such as 720p, instead of higher options like 1080p or 4K.
5. If frame rate settings are available, choose 30 frames per second instead of 60.

Using Built-in Tools

Some Android phones, particularly Samsung devices, come with built-in tools that help share large videos without needing to compress them manually. One such tool is Samsung Link Sharing.

Samsung Link Sharing allows you to:

• Share large videos by generating a temporary download link.
• Avoid file size limits commonly found in messaging apps and emails.
• Send videos that are too large to attach directly.

The files are hosted temporarily in the cloud, and recipients can download them using the link provided. This method does not compress the video itself, but it offers a practical way to bypass size limits when sending full-resolution videos.

Third-Party Apps

If your Android device does not have built-in compression tools, or if you need more control over the compression process, there are many reliable apps available on the Google Play Store. These apps are designed to reduce video size quickly and effectively.

Video Compressor – Video to MP4
This app is simple to use and supports a variety of compression settings. You can select your video, choose the desired resolution, bitrate, and output format (typically MP4), and compress the file directly on your device. It supports batch processing and keeps a good balance between quality and size reduction.

Compress Video Size Compressor
This app offers multiple compression profiles that allow you to decide how much quality you want to retain. Options range from high-quality compression with moderate file size reduction to more aggressive compression that significantly lowers file size with a visible drop in resolution. It is well-suited for users who want flexibility in how much they compress their videos.

Filmr
Also available on Android, Filmr is a video editing app that includes export options with adjustable resolution and quality. After importing your video, you can edit it and then export it in a lower resolution to reduce its size. The interface is clean and user-friendly, making it ideal for casual users and content creators alike.

Tips for Maintaining Video Quality

When compressing videos, it’s important to maintain a balance between reducing file size and preserving video quality. Here are some key tips to ensure your videos stay clear and professional while optimizing their size:

1. Trim Unnecessary Footage

A straightforward way to reduce file size without losing video quality is to remove unnecessary content.

• Trim out irrelevant sections: Cut parts of the video that aren’t essential to your message—like long intros, pauses, or extra footage.
• This helps reduce the overall length and file size while ensuring the key content remains intact.

Pro Tip: Trimming excess footage not only makes your video shorter, but also improves the viewer's experience by keeping the content concise and engaging. You can use Appy Pie’s AI Video Trimmer to cut short extra efforts and save time.

2. Remove Audio Tracks

If the audio isn’t crucial for your video’s content or message, removing it can significantly reduce the file size.

• Omit unnecessary audio: If the video relies primarily on visuals, consider removing the audio track to shrink the file.
• If audio is still necessary, consider lowering the quality of the sound (e.g., reducing bitrate or removing background noise) to keep the file size in check.

Pro Tip: For videos focused on visual storytelling, music or sound effects can be added in post-production rather than relying on the original audio, saving more space.

3. Choose Appropriate Formats

The format you use for exporting your video plays a crucial role in determining its final size and quality. Choosing efficient formats and codecs can help achieve better compression while maintaining high quality.

• Use H.264 codec: This is the most widely used codec for video compression. It offers a good balance between compression and video quality, making it suitable for most applications.
  
  
• Use HEVC (H.265): This codec offers even better compression than H.264, reducing file size significantly while keeping the video quality high. It's especially useful for high-resolution videos, such as 4K.

Pro Tip: When exporting your video, make sure to choose a format that supports H.264 or HEVC for better compression efficiency, particularly if you’re aiming for smaller file sizes with minimal loss in quality.

Recommended Read: Understanding Video File Formats: MP4, AVI, MKV & More

Conclusion

Video compression is an essential tool for managing large video files, especially when dealing with limited storage, slow uploads, or difficulties sharing content. Whether you’re using an iPhone or Android, there are various methods available—from adjusting recording settings and using built-in apps to third-party tools and online compressors.

Each approach has its advantages, depending on your needs. For instance, iPhone users can benefit from built-in tools like iMovie, while Android users can take advantage of both native features and third-party apps. For those looking for flexibility, online compression tools offer a quick and easy solution without needing additional software.

The key is to find the right balance between file size and video quality—choosing the method that fits your specific requirements. Whether you're compressing for social media, work presentations, or personal sharing, these strategies will help you ensure your videos are optimized for both storage and sharing, without sacrificing their visual impact.