Adding a photo to a text message on an iPhone

When adding a photo to a text on an iPhone, is there any way to make the image file smaller than the original? It's easily done when attaching a photo to an email (size options are offered) but I can't find a simple way to do something like that when including a photo in a text.


Yes, I can email that photo to myself and then text the re-sized photo elsewhere, but that's not simple. There are many good reasons for not wanting to text a big image file. Why am I having trouble finding a way?

Posted on Feb 18, 2022 11:56 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 19, 2022 1:36 PM

Hi photolaszlo,



Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. We understand that you are looking for a way to send a smaller file size photo than the original in Messages. We'd like to assist.


You can enable Low Quality Image Mode under Settings > Messages.

When this is enabled, images will be sent as a smaller file size.


This resource may help as well: Send and receive photos, videos, and audio messages on iPhone - Apple Support



We hope this helps.


Cheers!

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 19, 2022 1:36 PM in response to photolaszlo

Hi photolaszlo,



Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. We understand that you are looking for a way to send a smaller file size photo than the original in Messages. We'd like to assist.


You can enable Low Quality Image Mode under Settings > Messages.

When this is enabled, images will be sent as a smaller file size.


This resource may help as well: Send and receive photos, videos, and audio messages on iPhone - Apple Support



We hope this helps.


Cheers!

Feb 22, 2022 11:47 AM in response to jdo_apple

Thanks for that response, jdo. Unfortunately it's a poor result to use that Low Quality Image Mode switch for messaging photos. It makes the photo way TOO small. It goes from an image size of 4032 pixels across to 640 pixels. While I want to send something smaller than the former, the latter isn't worth looking at on a screen larger than a phone, and zooming in causes instant degradation. And that link you sent doesn't address the problem at all.


Is there some way to adjust the degree to which 'Low Quality Image Mode' shrinks the image?


I have been in situations (mostly outside the country) when messaging one image took an hour! If I tried to message 2 or 3, it often refuses to even try. A strong wifi connection can help, but that's just not often available. And there's still the problem (even locally) of my not always wanting the recipient to have such a large version of the image.


Te fact that Apple even has that Low Quality Image Mode option makes me realize that this can be done. That function should be offered in another, less tiny, size. It's hard to believe that this is an uncommon need.


Thanks.

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Adding a photo to a text message on an iPhone

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