I’ve recorded some large videos on my iPhone and I’m struggling to send them. They exceed the size limit for regular texting and emailing. What are the best methods or apps to share these videos without losing quality? Any advice would be appreciated!
If you’re trying to send large videos from your iPhone and getting frustrated with the size limits on texting and email, I’m with ya. Here’s a breakdown of some solutions that work without compromising on video quality:
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iCloud Drive: Use iCloud Drive to upload the video. Once it’s uploaded, you can share the link. Go to the Files app, tap Browse, select Locations, and upload the video to iCloud. After the upload is complete, tap and hold the file, select Share, and then create a link. This is a pretty solid way to keep the quality intact.
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Google Photos: Another good alternative is Google Photos. Download the app if you haven’t already, upload the video, and then share the link. Google Photos doesn’t mess with the quality too much, and it gives you plenty of storage.
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Dropbox: Pretty straightforward—just upload your video to Dropbox and then share the link. The recipient doesn’t even need a Dropbox account to view it. I’ve found Dropbox’s compression to be manageable though not completely absent.
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WeTransfer: For a more straightforward approach, check out WeTransfer. Their free version lets you send files up to 2GB. Just upload your video, enter the recipient’s email, and hit send. No hassle, and they won’t compress your video file to oblivion.
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AirDrop: If the person you’re sharing with is nearby and using an Apple device, AirDrop is a no-brainer. It’s fast, doesn’t require internet, and keeps the original quality.
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Telegram: You can also use Telegram as it supports very large file transfers (up to 2GB per file). The app is user-friendly and keeps the video quality.
Remember, each method has its own benefits, so choose based on your specific needs like storage limits, recipient’s accessibility, or ease of use.
Hope this helps!
I see where @techchizkid is coming from with those recommendations, but I gotta throw in a couple more tricks that up the game for sending large iPhone vids seamlessly:
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Signal: Yeah, it’s mainly a secure messaging app, but Signal allows you to send files up to 100MB. While that might not cover massive videos, you can trim a bit and still retain high quality. Plus, that extra layer of encryption’s a sweet bonus.
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OneDrive: Microsoft’s OneDrive offers ample storage and handles large videos quite well. Just upload and share the link. They have a decent compression algorithm that doesn’t kill your quality.
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Video Compressor apps: Check out apps designed specifically for reducing the size of videos without slashing the quality too much. Apps like Video Compress or VideoProc allow you to retain good quality while creating more manageable files for sharing through other means.
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Private YouTube uploading: If the video is super-large, consider uploading it to YouTube privately or unlisted. Share the link to the people you want. You get HD quality and no worries about file size.
And while I generally agree with AirDrop for nearby sharing, for larger projects sometimes connecting the device directly with a cable to a computer (or using lightning to USB) can be a more consistent method, especially if the Wi-Fi setup is less than stellar.
Lastly, one thing not mentioned: if you often deal with large files, maybe consider investing in a portable SSD. It’s super fast, reliable, and storage bonanza. It’s a bit old-school, but hey, it works.
Balancing convenience, quality, and tech savvy? You’ve got options for days. Avoid overthinking and just choose what matches your workflow.
I think there’s a key solution @andarilhonoturno and @techchizkid haven’t touched upon: using a combination of a NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device and mobile apps like Synology Drive or QNAP File Station. This setup lets you manage large files directly from your home network, bypassing the cloud completely. Pros for NAS include vast storage capacity and complete control over your data. However, initial setup costs and complexity might be drawbacks.
Also, don’t underestimate the value of messaging apps like iMessage itself if your contacts are in the Apple ecosystem. While it doesn’t directly allow very large files, its integration with iCloud can simplify the process; it offers shared folders through iCloud links.
For those looking to avoid additional subscriptions, consider Resilio Sync. It uses peer-to-peer technology to sync your large videos directly between devices without hitting cloud storage limits. Pros: fast transfer speeds and privacy. Con: the free version has limitations, and troubleshooting can be a bit tricky.
Lastly, exploring format conversion can sometimes work wonders. Using HandBrake, an open-source video transcoder, to re-encode your video to a more efficient format like H.265 (HEVC) can drastically reduce file size without much compromise in quality. Just be aware that compatibility with older devices might be an issue.
A quick note of divergence: While Dropbox is often praised, its free storage is quite limited compared to Google Drive or OneDrive, and its 2GB max per transfer in the free tier can be a headache for larger videos. Similarly, WeTransfer’s free limit isn’t always sufficient for heavy-duty tasks, though it is a quick and straightforward option.
It’s all about balancing your specific needs: storage, convenience, quality, and recipient accessibility. Happy file-sharing!