Get to Know iMessage
At the beginning, I’d like to give you a brief introduction to iMessage. If you only want to know the iMessage video size limit, just proceed to read the next part.
iMessage is available on all Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, Macs, and even Apple Watches. You can use it to send text messages, videos, images, and documents. Furthermore, it enables you to send locations and stickers. What’s more, iMessage uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that your conversations remain private. Only the message sender and recipient can read the messages.
iMessage is deeply integrated with the Apple ecosystem. When you’re communicating with a non-Apple user, it automatically switches to regular SMS or MMS, making it a seamless part of everyday communication for millions of people.
iMessage Video Size Limit
What is the iMessage video size limit? Does Apple publish an official cap? Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t offer any official information about the iMessage video size limit or the iMessage file size limit. I search for information from Apple Support forums, community discussions, and other articles. While Apple has not provided specific public documentation regarding these limits, we can summarize the iMessage video size limit from the collective experience of users.
For iMessage, the video size limit is around 100 MB. Meanwhile, the video duration is no longer than 4 minutes and 20 seconds roughly. You should know that the iMessage video size limit is not explicit. Sometimes, if you send videos larger than 100 MB, you’ll fail to send them in iMessage, or iMessage will convert videos into iCloud links if your videos are stored in iCloud Photos.
If you intend to send large videos via iMessage successfully, you should make sure that the videos meet the iMessage video size limit. Or you can use alternative ways to send large videos without losing quality. For example, you can send videos without losing quality via AirDrop or iCloud. Additionally, you can use a video compressor to reduce file size in advance. How can you compress videos for iMessage? Keep reading.
You may also like:
- How to Send Long Videos on iPhone? 4 Free Ways
- How to Send Videos Without Losing Quality | 4 Easy Ways
2 Ways to Compress Videos for iMessage
Before exploring ways for compressing videos for iMessage, let’s discuss whether iMessage compresses videos. Does iMessage compress video files? iMessage will compress video files when they exceed the iMessage file size limit. The video files compressed by iMessage will lose video quality. How to compress videos for iMessage without losing quality? Just read on.
Option 1. Compress Videos with MiniTool Video Converter
MiniTool Video Converter is a free video conversion tool that can convert and compress audio and video files. It enables you to shrink file size by converting to lossy formats, lowering resolution, or using codecs with good compression efficiency. Follow the instructions below to compress the video for iMessage.
Step 1. Click the button below to download and install MiniTool Video Converter. Then install and launch this free program.
MiniTool Video ConverterClick to Download100%Clean & Safe
Step 2. Click on Add Files to import the target video into MiniTool Video Converter.
Step 3. Then click the Folder icon to enable the format window, switch to the Video tab, and choose a format you need. Here, I take MP4 as an example. Then choose the needed resolution.

Furthermore, you can click the Edit icon behind the target resolution to reset the video codec. Compared with H.264, HEVC (or H.265) offers better compression efficiency. Customize other format parameters and click Create to save the changes. Then choose the newly created format.

Step 4. Later, you can check the video size. If the video size is still large, just repeat the above operation to change the video format or lower the resolution.

Step 5. Click Convert to execute the compression process. Then you can click the Open button under the Converted subtab to locate and check the compressed video.
Option 2. Compress Videos with iMovie
Compared with MiniTool Video Converter, iMovie is a better choice for Apple users to compress videos. It is an Apple video editor, offering editing features and resources. Besides, it can work as a video compressor. Here’s how to compress a video with iMovie.
Step 1. Open iMovie on your phone, tap the Plus icon, and choose the Movie option.
Step 2. Choose the target video and tap on the Create Movie option.
Step 3. Edit the video based on your need. You can choose to trim the video to remove unnecessary clips.
Step 4. Hit the Done option and tap the Share icon at the bottom. Then choose the Save or Share Video option, open the Option menu, and choose a lower resolution. Finally, tap Done and choose Save Video to export the compressed video.

Final Words
There is no official documentation from Apple to clarify the iMessage video size limit. From the Apple Support forums and online information, we can summarize that the iMessage video size limit is around 100 MB. If your video size is too large, iMessage will automatically compress the video. But the video quality is poor.