Compress Video for iMessage
Message delivery can switch between iMessage, RCS, SMS or MMS depending on the recipient, settings and carrier. Pre-compressing to a smaller file can improve reliability, but 100MB is a user-selected target rather than a universal Apple limit.
iMessage and carrier-dependent limits
Apple notes that MMS support and limits depend on the wireless carrier and plan. Because there is no universal MMS video cap, confirm the recipient's route when delivery matters and use a smaller target for carrier-based messaging.
Sources: Apple: MMS carrier requirements · Reviewed 2026-06-13
Frequently asked questions
- Why does iMessage make my videos blurry?
- On slow connections iMessage drops the bitrate aggressively to send faster. Compressing to a sensible size yourself gives a predictable result instead of letting iMessage decide.
- What's the limit when it sends as a text (MMS)?
- There is no universal MMS attachment limit. It depends on the carrier, plan and device, so check your provider and use a smaller file when compatibility matters.