iMac and iPhone users, easiest way to shrink jpg (and pdf) file sizes?

[fieldgrade]

I rarely ever have to do this, and when I do, I usually get away with just cropping the pic (like a pic of an insurance card I was uploading yesterday). The file size was initially too large, so I cropped it. Success.

But sometimes that doesn’t shrink the file enough. I just spent twenty minutes googling solutions. Every one was different, none really intuitive, all involved multiple clicks of multiple menus, and for most of the solutions the OS or settings must have changed enough over time that the menu options offered don’t always appear on my up to date Mac, as the solutions presented.

I’m sure there is some operator error in there, but it still seems like having to remember how to split the atom, if ever so infrequently. I’d like to show my wife how to do it, and the current options just require too much to remember for an otherwise infrequent necessity. She is running a Mac and iPhone also. Both older than mine.

Discuss.

 

[Burt Gummer]

For pdf stuff, I use a pdf scanner app. Normally when I’m sending myself an email, there’s an option to shrink pic size. Or I vaguely remember that being the case. I haven’t done that in a while

 

[pinkbunny]

How to resize an image on Mac 2023

Learn how to resize an image on Mac with these simple tools. Use built-in and third-party apps to get the best images for your needs.

setapp.com

Open in preview. Go to markup. Click on the adjust size option. Try shrinking by 50% or so.

 

[Jeppo]

I use the Thumbnail app to reduce the size of photos. The only problem is they all come out like this. 🤔

 

[pinkbunny]

For the pdf:

Compress a PDF in Preview on Mac

In Preview on your Mac, create a compressed version of a PDF to save storage space.

support.apple.com

Open the pdf in preview, file-> export
In the save as, they're'll also be a drop down called "Quartz," select "reduce file size"

 

[fieldgrade]

How to resize an image on Mac 2023

Learn how to resize an image on Mac with these simple tools. Use built-in and third-party apps to get the best images for your needs.

setapp.com

Open in preview. Go to markup. Click on the adjust size option. Try shrinking by 50% or so.

Perfect! Thanks.


*ETA - still makes me wonder why it’s not in the photo editing software, and I’m sure it’s not. Just seems less than intuitive from all those smartypants at Apple, that you have to know to look for an option in a different app.

 

[GymB]

For the iphone I created a “shortcut” to reduce file size. Create this in the shortcut app and it creates the option in the context menu.

 

[Mathieu18]

On the jpg side you can adjust while sharing. Choose option at the bottom then usually Large is small enough. Also good to remove location info. PDF you’d need to use options upstream.

 

[SINNER]

Email the pics to yourself and select a lesser quality/size and save again.

 

[SimpleMan]

For pdf stuff, I use a pdf scanner app. Normally when I’m sending myself an email, there’s an option to shrink pic size. Or I vaguely remember that being the case. I haven’t done that in a while

Not sure if this helps, and my technical knowledge will fit on the end of a needle, but you can click on your “notes” app (I’m thinking it’s on all iPhone’s), click on the little camera and it will let you “scan” a document, or take a pic. Then you can attach to an email easily. I guess my point is you don’t need an additional app, unless you were speaking of “notes”.

 

[Long_Hunter]

Perfect! Thanks.


*ETA - still makes me wonder why it’s not in the photo editing software, and I’m sure it’s not. Just seems less than intuitive fro all those smartypants at Apple, that you have to know to look for an option in a different app.

This might help...

In photo "Preview" mode there is a "tools" tab at the top that contains an "adjust size" function...this is what I use to reduce photo sizes.

If it is a "live" photo, you go to the "image" tab and then select "edit with", then "preview". You will lose the "live" aspect of the photo, but be able to reduce the size.

 

[BigWaylon]

If you’re taking a pic with your iPhone, make sure to turn off Live Photo for that pic.