Sending long videos from an iPhone can be challenging due to file size limitations when sending via text or email. However, with the right tools and services, you can easily send long videos up to an hour or more in length from your iPhone. In this article, we’ll go over the main options for sending long videos from an iPhone, including using cloud storage services, video messaging apps, social media, and more. We’ll also provide tips on compressing videos to reduce file size while maintaining quality. By the end, you’ll know all the best practices for sending those long videos quickly and easily.
Email/Text Message
Standard email and text messaging services like iMessage have file size limits that prevent sending very large video files. Most carriers restrict individual attachments to 25-35MB over text and email. A one minute 4K video from an iPhone can be over 100MB in size. Longer videos at 1080p or 4K resolutions will easily exceed these file size upload restrictions.
So while you can send shorter video clips and small video files via email and text from your iPhone, you’ll need to use a different method for longer videos. Compressing the video can help reduce the file size to potentially work over email/text, but this will reduce video quality. We’ll go over video compression options later in the article.
Cloud Storage Services
One of the easiest ways to send long videos from your iPhone is by uploading the video to a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive etc. Most cloud services don’t have limits on video file sizes you can upload.
Here are the general steps to send a large video file using cloud storage:
- Install the cloud storage app on your iPhone and computer/device you want to share the video with.
- Upload the video from your iPhone to the cloud storage service.
- Share the video via a shareable link or by giving access directly to the recipient.
- The recipient can then download the video to their device.
Some popular cloud services and their iPhone video sharing options:
Google Drive
– Upload videos up to 5TB in size from iPhone app.
– Share videos via view/access links or by inviting Google contacts with edit access.
– Works across iOS, Android, Mac, PC and web.
Dropbox
– Upload videos up to 2GB to free accounts, larger with paid plans.
– Create shared folders or Share links to send videos.
– Access across all major platforms.
iCloud
– Integrated with iPhone camera roll for easy uploads.
– Share videos using iCloud links. Recipient needs iCloud account to view shared videos.
– Native iOS integration, also works on Mac and PC.
OneDrive
– Upload videos up to 100GB with free accounts. More with Office 365 plans.
– Share videos via view only or editable access links.
– Built into Windows and integrates across iOS, Android, web.
The main limitations of cloud storage for sending iPhone videos are requiring the recipient to have an account with the same service and potential slow upload/download speeds for very large files. But overall, using cloud storage services is one of the most flexible options for sending long videos from an iPhone.
Video Messaging Apps
Specialized video messaging apps can make it easy to send long videos directly from your iPhone. These apps are designed specifically for sharing large videos, so they don’t have the same file size limits as texting and email services.
Some top options for sending big iPhone videos include:
Marco Polo
– Send unlimited length video messages.
– Optimized for iOS and Android.
– 10 minute time limit per video message.
– Free iOS and Android apps.
Vimeo
– Upload videos up to 5GB in size from iOS app.
– Share videos via private album links.
– Free account lets you upload up to 500MB per week.
Squad
– Group video messaging for friends and family.
– Upload videos up to 5 minutes long.
– 128 member groups.
– Free on iOS and Android.
The benefit of using dedicated video messaging apps is you don’t have to deal with compressing the video or uploading to a secondary service. You can send long videos directly within the app interface. Just keep in mind maximum video lengths based on the service. Marco Polo works best for extra long videos.
Social Media
Popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok etc can also be used to share long videos from your iPhone.
Here are some of the video length limits and specs for key social platforms:
– Upload videos up to 4K and 120 minutes long.
– Share videos publicly or with friends/groups.
– Access on iOS, Android, web and Facebook apps.
YouTube
– Upload videos up to 15 minutes for new users. Unlimited with verification.
– 12+ hours long for verified accounts.
– Share via YouTube watch links.
– Primarily designed for web but mobile apps available.
– Upload videos up to 60 seconds long to feed.
– IGTV supports videos up to 10 minutes (60 for accounts with over 10k followers).
– Share via profile and IGTV channel.
– iOS and Android apps with limited desktop experience.
Snapchat
– 10 second limit for standard Snap videos.
– Upload videos up to 60 seconds to Stories.
– Memories supports videos up to 60 minutes long.
– Primarily for mobile messaging but accessible on web.
The benefit of social media is leveraging platforms your recipient is likely already active on. The main limitations are video length restrictions and requiring the recipient to have an account to view shared videos.
AirDrop
AirDrop can send videos wirelessly between Apple devices like iPhones, iPads and Macs. It uses WiFi and Bluetooth to transfer files without requiring an internet connection or storage service.
Here’s how to use AirDrop to send videos from iPhone:
- Enable AirDrop on your iPhone and the receiving device.
- Open the Photos app and select the video you want to send. Tap the Share button.
- Select AirDrop. You’ll see nearby devices that can receive the video.
- Tap the device name to send the video. Accept the incoming file on the receiving device.
Key Points about AirDrop:
– Transfers files wirelessly between Apple devices.
– No cell service or internet required.
– Has a range of about 30 feet between devices.
– Supports videos over 1GB in size.
– Encrypted transfer for security.
The main downside to AirDrop is it only works between Apple devices. You can’t use it to send videos to phones or computers that aren’t made by Apple.
Third Party File Transfer Apps
Third party file transfer apps for iOS provide another option for beaming videos directly to someone else’s phone. They work similarly to AirDrop but are designed to work across iOS and Android.
Some top cross-platform file transfer apps include:
ShareIt
– Send files between iOS and Android.
– Transfer videos, photos, music, docs and APKs.
– No cell service or internet required.
– Up to 20MB/s transfer speed.
– 130 foot Bluetooth range.
Xender
– Send videos, photos, music and docs between iOS and Android.
– Leverages wifi hotspot for transfers without internet.
– Transfer speeds up to 40MB/s
– Free iOS and Android apps.
Send Anywhere
– Share files between multiple platforms including iOS, Android, Windows and Mac.
– 10GB transfer limit without account.
– Up to 1.2 GB/min transfer speed.
– Supports MP4, MKV, AVI and other video formats.
These apps provide fast wireless video transfers like AirDrop, with the benefit of working across iOS and Android. Just make sure both parties have the same file sharing app installed to connect.
Compress Videos to Reduce File Size
If you need to send a long video but want to reduce the file size, you can use video compressor apps on your iPhone. Compressing the video will lower the quality but makes the file small enough to send over text, email or social media.
Some top options for compressing iPhone videos include:
Video Compress
– Compress videos up to 90% smaller
– Output options include MP4, MOV, and GIF
– Trim and crop functionality
– Free on iOS, in-app purchases available
Video Size – Compress Video
– Reduce video file size by 80-90%
– Custom output resolution and bitrate
– Maintains original quality
– Simple intuitive interface
– Free with watermark, $2.99 pro upgrade
Video Compress – Compressor
– Compress videos up to 70% smaller
– Choose output resolution and FPS
– Trim videos to relevant clips
– Add music and filters
– Free with ads and logos
The key settings to adjust when compressing video are the output resolution, bitrate, and frame rate. Lower values will result in a smaller file, but also reduce video quality. Try to balance compression with maintaining acceptable video quality for your needs.
Conclusion
Sending long videos from an iPhone is easy with cloud storage services, messaging apps, social media, AirDrop or third party file transfers. If you need to email or text the video, use a video compressor app to reduce the file size before sending. With the right tools, you can share even lengthy 4K or HD iPhone videos with friends, family, co-workers and clients.