How To Fix 7 Free Ways to Compress Images on Mac

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With the increasing resolution of cameras and screens, the photos and screenshots you take can quickly consume significant storage space and take longer to share. Compressing images is a practical solution to address this issue, and there are several free methods to do so on a Mac without compromising quality.

Understanding Image File Size

Before diving into the methods, it's essential to understand what factors influence the file size of an image:

  • Image Dimensions: Larger dimensions result in bigger file sizes. For example, a 1920 x 1080 image will be larger than a 720 x 480 image.
  • Image Format: Formats like JPG/JPEG generally have smaller file sizes compared to PNG, especially for photos. However, PNG is better for text-based images.
  • Image Content and Color Depth: Images with more black areas tend to have smaller file sizes than those with more white areas.
  • Camera Type: Images from higher megapixel cameras will have larger file sizes.
  • Flash: Using flash can increase the file size of an image.
  • Screen Resolution: Screenshots from higher resolution screens will have larger file sizes.

1. Using Preview to Compress Images

The Preview app, which comes pre-installed on Macs, offers a straightforward way to compress images.

Compressing a Single Image

  1. Open the Image: Double-click the image to open it in the Preview app.
  2. Export the Image: From the top menu bar, click File > Export.
  3. Choose the Format: Select the desired format. HEIC offers a significantly smaller file size but may not be compatible everywhere. You can also choose JPEG or other formats.
  4. Adjust Quality: Drag the quality slider to lower it. This will reduce the file size but may slightly affect the image quality.
  5. Save the Image: Once satisfied with the file size, click Save.

Compressing Multiple Images

  1. Select Images: In the Finder folder, select multiple images by holding the Command key or pressing Command + A to select all.
  2. Open with Preview: Right-click and choose Open With > Preview.
  3. Select All Thumbnails: Inside the Preview app, press Command + A to ensure all image thumbnails are selected in the left sidebar.
  4. Export Selected Images: From the top menu bar, click File > Export Selected Images.
  5. Set Options: Click Options at the bottom, choose the desired format, and adjust the quality slider.
  6. Save the Images: Finally, click Choose to compress all images and save them.

2. Using the Photos App

The Photos app on Mac also allows you to compress images.

  1. Select Images: Select one or more pictures within the Photos app.
  2. Export Photos: Press Command + Shift + E, or navigate to the top menu bar and click on File > Export > Export Photos.
  3. Adjust Settings: Click the small arrow next to Photo Kind to reveal additional options. Adjust the settings for Photo Kind, Quality, and Size according to your preferences.
  4. Export: Click Export, choose a destination folder, and then click Export again to finalize the process.

3. Using Quick Actions

Quick Actions provide a quick and easy way to compress images.

  1. Select Images: Right-click or control-click on the image or images you want to compress.
  2. Open Quick Actions: Click on the Convert Image option in the Quick Actions menu.
  3. Choose Size Options: Select your preferred size options from large, medium, or small.
  4. Convert: Click on the Convert to option to compress the images.

4. Using ImageOptim

ImageOptim is a free third-party app that can efficiently compress multiple images.

  1. Download and Install: Download ImageOptim from its website and install it by dragging it into your Applications folder.
  2. Launch the App: Open the app and click on the three-dot menu in the bottom right corner.
  3. Adjust Settings: In the General tab, ensure that the app deletes all image metadata by default. In the Quality tab, enable the checkbox for Enable lossy minification to control the amount of compression.
  4. Drag and Drop Images: Drag and drop the images into the app to compress them. Note that the app compresses the original images, so it's advisable to create duplicates before compressing.

5. Using Online Tools

Online tools like Compressor.io and TinyJPG offer convenient ways to compress images without installing any software.

Compressor.io

  1. Visit the Website: Go to Compressor.io in your browser.
  2. Upload Images: Drag and drop an image file from your computer. You can choose between lossy and lossless compression.
  3. Download: After compression, click Download to save the compressed image.

TinyJPG

  1. Visit the Website: Go to TinyJPG.com in your browser.
  2. Upload Images: Drag and drop the image(s) you want to compress. You can compress up to 20 JPEGs or PNGs at once.
  3. Download: The images will be compressed automatically. Click to download the compressed images.

6. Resizing Images

Resizing images can significantly reduce their file size.

  1. Open in Preview: Double-click the image to open it in the Preview app.
  2. Adjust Size: Click Tools > Adjust Size. Adjust the Width and/or Height by pixel. You'll see an estimate of the new size in the Resulting Size section.
  3. Save: Click OK and then save the image.

7. Using Finder to Compress Images in a ZIP File

Compressing images into a ZIP file can also reduce their overall size.

  1. Select Images: Select the images you want to compress in the Finder folder.
  2. Create a ZIP File: Right-click and choose Compress Items. This will create a ZIP file containing the selected images.
  3. Save: Save the ZIP file to your desired location.

By using these methods, you can efficiently compress images on your Mac, freeing up storage space and making it easier to share your photos.

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