How to Compress JPEG on Mac

To make JPEG smaller on Mac in Preview, open it and click Tools > Adjust Size. Select an option in the Fit into section. Adjust the Width, Height, and Resolution. Click OK.

Why compress JPEG images on Mac

JPG photos can be an inconvenience. The most compelling reason to reduce JPEG file size on Mac is to ensure you have enough space on your laptop, as larger files take up more space. Another reason is to speed up file transfers via email, the cloud, and when uploading photos to websites. Finally, smaller JPEG images are cheaper to print compared to larger ones.

Many users often confuse photo compression with cropping. However, these are two completely different processes. If you want to remove parts of a photo, like the background or unnecessary parts, learn how to crop an image on a Mac instead. It’s a quicker process that is best for eliminating distractions and focusing on the subject of the photo. One of the main differences is that it maintains the image’s quality because it simply reduces its dimensions without affecting pixel data.

Compression, on the other hand, shrinks the image by lowering the image quality or resolution. It may also remove unnecessary data. For these reasons, compression is best for sharing and storing images. It also yields better results for using images on the web, as smaller images can upload faster than larger ones.

A note from our experts: 

 

Freeing up space on your computer can be a daunting task, especially when you have a lot of files to go through. With MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder, manually removing files is a thing of the past. Our tool automates the process of locating redundant files, including photos, and safely deletes them—completing an hours-long process in a matter of minutes.

 

Are you ready to safely get rid of duplicate photos with MacKeeper? Follow these easy steps to get started:

1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Apple computer.
2. Select Duplicates Finder from the sidebar and hit the Start Scan button.
3. MacKeeper will present the files it finds. Select the photos you want to get rid of and click Remove Selected.

Methods to compress JPEG on Mac

There are various ways to compress a JPEG on Mac. Using Preview to reduce JPEGs on a Mac is the first option. The second option is using third-party software to make JPEGs smaller. Lastly, you can use online tools to compress JPEG files.

Solutions for compressing a JPEG file on a MacBook:

1. Using Preview to reduce JPEGs on Mac
2. Using third-party software to make JPEGs smaller
3. Using online tools to compress JPEG files

Let’s explore each method in detail below.

1. Using Preview to reduce JPEGs on Mac

Apple’s very own photo editor, Preview, has the functionality to compress JPEGs. That’s why it’s our first option for reducing JPEGs on our devices. Here’s how you can use it, too:

1. Open the Preview app and choose the JPEG photo you want to resize.
2. Click Tools in the menu bar, select Adjust Size, and customize each setting according to your preference. Don’t forget to select Scale Proportionally to maintain the quality of your photo as you decrease its size. You can also check the new JPEG’s size estimate in the Resulting Size section at the bottom of the window.
3. Once you’re done and ready to proceed, click OK.

A couple of life hacks from our team: 

 

Apple’s Preview app is a comprehensive tool that can do more than compress JPEGs. If you want to free up even more storage space, consider using Preview to reduce PDF file size on a Mac, too.

 

Note, however, that you can’t resize HEIC files directly in Mac’s Preview app. To do so, you must convert HEIC to JPG on your Mac first, and then proceed to compress the new JPEG image in Preview as outlined above.

2. Using third-party software to make JPEGs smaller

Third-party photo editing tools like Image Optimizer Compression often provide various features, including resizing JPEG images. Note that while photo editors work similarly, the process of reducing JPEGs may differ depending on the tool you use.

To use Image Optimizer Compression, do this:

1. Download Image Optimizer Compression from the App Store.
2. Drag and drop an image from your computer to the app screen. The app will automatically compress and save it in the Pictures folder in Finder.

3. Using online tools to compress JPEG files

Online editors also come in handy for compressing JPEGs. The only difference is you must download the images once you’re done resizing them. We use Compress JPEG when we don’t want to install an additional app to resize our JPEGs, especially when we’re trying to save storage space. However, the process is similar to that of using Preview and other photo editors.

Follow the steps below to compress JPEG files using Compress JPEG:

1. Go to Compress JPEG in your browser.
2. Upload images from your computer or drag and drop them in the allocated space. This tool allows you to compress up to 20 JPG or JPEG images at once.
3. Your images will immediately be compressed. Download them to your laptop once you’re done.

Compress JPEG files easily on a MacBook device

Compressing JPEGs on a Mac is straightforward. As we’ve mentioned, we prefer using Mac’s Preview app, as it’s the simpler, cost-effective, and time-saving solution available to Mac users. For your convenience, it shows you the resulting size at the bottom of the window, including the percentage and KB.

If you prefer a non-Mac alternative, there are plenty of third-party software and online tools available. And if, for some reason, you aren’t ready to compress files yet, you have one more option—you can zip a file on a Mac instead. Zipping uncompressed files can also help you save storage space.

Remember, making photos smaller and zipping uncompressed files aren’t the only ways to save storage space. Getting rid of unnecessary files is also helpful for keeping your Mac lighter and improving its performance. MacKeeper’s Duplicates Finder removes redundant files, such as duplicate photos, optimizing your device’s performance.