How to reduce the size of a photo on a Xiaomi phone: all the ways of 2026

Photos on modern Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) take up more space – cameras with a resolution of 48-200 MP create files weighing 5-20 MB each. Even 128 GB of memory quickly run out if you actively shoot in HEIF or JPEG format with maximum quality. Reducing the photo size helps not only to free up space, but also to quickly upload images to messengers or social networks where restrictions apply (for example, 5 MB in Telegram or 15 MB in VKontakte).

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to compress photos directly on a Xiaomi phone, from built-in tools to third-party applications. We will discuss how to reduce the weight of photos without loss of quality (via compression algorithms) and with controlled resolution reduction. We will separately focus on the nuances for models with 108 MP cameras (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), where standard methods may not work. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14.

1.Integrated compression in the Xiaomi Gallery

The easiest way is to use the Export feature in the standard Xiaomi Gallery, which automatically offers to reduce the file size when sending or saving a copy. The compression algorithm here is optimized for the MIUI ecosystem, so the quality remains acceptable even with a strong weight reduction.

How it works:

• 📱 Open the gallery and select a photo (or more).
• 🔍 Press Share. → Exports (or more) → Exports in new versions MIUI).
• ⚙️ The Export Menu will feature a “Quality” slider (or High/Mediternary/Low options).
• 💾 Select Medium – This will reduce weight by 40-60% without visible artifacts.

Important: When exported in HEIC format (available on some models), compression works more efficiently than for JPEG - weight is reduced by 50-70% with the same visual quality. However, not all social networks and messengers support HEIC, so check compatibility before sending.

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If there is no quality slider in the export menu, update the Gallery app via Play Store or GetApps. Older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5) may not have this feature.

2. Change of permission during shooting

It is better to reduce the size of the photo before it is taken than to compress the finished file. In the Xiaomi camera settings, you can limit the resolution of the images, which will immediately reduce their weight. For example, a photo with 48 MP weighs ~12 MB, and with 12 MP - only ~3-4 MB with the same frame.

Instructions:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Touch the badge. ⚙️ (Settings) or swipe up the screen (on some models).
3. Select Photo Resolution (or Side Ratio and Resolution).
4. Set the value of 12 MP (or 9 MP for a wide-angle camera).

⚠️ Attention: On flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi K60) when selecting the permission below 48 MP can turn off Pixel Binning mode (combining pixels to improve quality in the dark). If you shoot at night, it is better to leave maximum resolution and compress the photo later.

3. Compression applications: top-5 Xiaomi

Standard MIUI tools don't always do the job -- especially if you need to compress a folder of 100+ photos or keep transparency in PNG. Third-party apps will help. We tested the top 5 for Xiaomi smartphones:

• 📦 Photo Compress 2.0 – Supports batch compression, saves EXIF-data (date, camera model).
• ⚡ Lit Photo – uses AI to compress without loss (effective for the use of a new system) HEIC).
• 🔍 Resize Me! – allows you to set an exact size in pixels or percentages.
• 🌐 Image Size – simple interface, no advertising, works offline.
• 📊 Photo & Picture Resizer – Optimized for MIUI, there's a preview.

Selection recommendations:

• For one photo, Lit Photo (maximum quality)
• For batch processing, Photo Compress 2.0.
• If you need to change the resolution (for example, from 4032×3024 to 1920×1080) – Resize Me!

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as InShot's Photo Compress) add watermarks to the free version. Check settings before compressing or use the Pro version.

4. Compression via Google Photos

If you have Google Photos installed, it can automatically reduce the size of your photo when uploaded to the cloud, a method that is convenient for backups, but has limitations:

• 🔹 High quality (free) – compresses photos up to 16 MP (even if the original is 48 MP).
• 🔹 Original quality (paid) – does not compress, but takes place in Google Drive.

How to turn on:

1. Open Google Photos → Click on the avatar → Photo settings.
2. Select Backup and Synchronization → Download quality.
3. Set the highest quality.

Once you upload a photo to the cloud, you can download it back to the smaller size. EXIF-data (camera information, shooting settings) and possible quality degradation with strong compression.

5. Online compression services

If you don't want to install apps, you can use online tools that work right in the browser, but require you to upload photos to the server (which is not safe for confidential photos).

• 🌐 TinyJPG - compresses JPEG and PNG lacking in quality.
• 🖼️ ImageCompressor – allows you to set the compression level (from 0% to 100%).
• 📱 ResizeImage – changes the resolution and format (e.g., from the HEIC into JPEG).

How to use (as in the example of TinyJPG):

1. Open a website in a browser (such as Chrome or Mi Browser).
2. Drag the photo into the window or click Download.
3. Wait for processing (usually 2-5 seconds).
4. Download the compressed file or all photos in ZIP-archive.

⚠️ Attention: Online services can save uploaded photos on their servers (albeit temporarily). For personal or work photos, use offline applications or built-in tools. MIUI.

PC compression (for maximum control)

If the phone doesn’t have enough power to handle a large number of photos (for example, 100+ shots from a 200 MP camera), transfer them to your computer and use professional tools:

• 🖥️ Adobe Photoshop – Export for the Web (Legacy) feature allows you to flexibly customize quality and size.
• 📁 FastStone Photo Resizer is a free utility for batch resolution change.
• 🐧 ImageMagick (for advanced users) – console command for compression: magick input.jpg -quality 80% output.jpg

How to transfer photos from Xiaomi to PC:

1. Connect your phone via USB (select File Transfer Mode in the Notification Curtain).
2. Copy the photo from the DCIM → Camera folder.
3. Process on PC and transfer back (or send over the cloud).

💡 Useful advice: For photos with Xiaomi in format HEIC PCs will need a codec (for example, HEIF Image Extensions for Windows. Without it, files won't open in standard programs.

7. Optimization for social networks and instant messengers

Each platform has its own size limitations, so to avoid automatic compression (which often spoils quality), upload images with optimal parameters:

To fit the photo to these requirements:

1. Use the Resize Me! app (specified in Section 3).
2. Select the target resolution (e.g. 1080×1080 for Instagram).
3. Save the file with 80-90% quality (this is enough for social networks).

🔹 Key takeaway: By uploading a photo as a document (on Telegram or WhatsApp), you bypass the size limits, but you lose preview in chat.

FAQ: Frequent questions