From source file to delivery
Select the exported video
Choose a video file from Finder. If the footage is inside a Photos or editing library, export a video copy first rather than uploading the library or project.
Set the delivery requirement
Keep MP4 and H.264 for broad recipient compatibility. Use Target size when the recipient specifies an attachment maximum.
Inspect the saved result
Download the MP4, inspect its size with Finder Get Info and play it in QuickTime. Send this new file while retaining the source.
Online compression or QuickTime export?
| Requirement | Useful route | Limit to remember |
|---|---|---|
| An exact attachment budget | Online Target size mode | Leave headroom and verify the finished size |
| The video must not be uploaded | QuickTime File → Export As | Choose a resolution; final size depends on the content |
| A recipient cannot play HEVC | Choose H.264 MP4 here | A .mov or .mp4 extension alone does not identify the codec |
QuickTime makes a smaller copy through Export As
In QuickTime Player, open the movie and choose File → Export As. Pick a lower available resolution and save under a different name. Apple documents 4K, 1080p, 720p and 480p export choices, with availability depending on the source.
For supported 4K or 1080p exports, QuickTime can offer HEVC for a smaller file or H.264 for greater compatibility. These are format choices, not promises to land under an email limit. Check the exported file size in Finder before sending it.
A MOV file is not necessarily the large-file problem
MOV is a container. Changing only the filename extension does not compress its video stream. A high bitrate screen capture and a highly compressed phone clip can both use MOV while needing very different treatment.
Export an actual movie from the editing application before using the compressor. A project document contains edit instructions and references; it is not the playable video that the recipient needs. For a Mac to Windows handoff, test the output on the destination player when possible.
Questions before you compress
Can QuickTime export to an exact file size?
QuickTime Export As exposes resolution and format choices rather than an exact MB budget. For a hard ceiling, use a target-size encoder and check the result.
Should I choose HEVC or H.264 on a Mac?
Choose according to the recipient, not only your own Mac. HEVC can be efficient, but H.264 MP4 is a safer starting point when you do not control the playback device.
Will this overwrite the video in Photos?
No. The browser downloads another file. It does not edit your Photos library or replace the original movie in Finder.
References and next steps
Guide updated 2026-11-11. External applications and account rules can change.
Have a strict size budget? Use the bitrate calculator. For source files near the upload ceiling, check the large video limits. Read the privacy policy before sending sensitive material.