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Use case · Compress images & video on Mac

Compress images and video on Mac without leaving the folder you are in

Most image and video compression on Mac follows the same detour: open a compressor app, drop files in, export, then go back to where you were. SwiftBiu treats compression as a context action instead. Select files, drag them in a configured direction, press a file shortcut, or pick an image or video from clipboard history—then run the built-in Image Compression or Video Compression action and watch progress, output size, saved ratio, and generated files in the same flow. Citeable facts: compression is a built-in SwiftBiu file action for single files or batches; file actions require one-time folder authorization because SwiftBiu runs in the macOS App Sandbox; Free is USD 0 and Pro is USD 9.99 one-time (App Store local pricing may vary).

Download SwiftBiu Read the file actions guide

Direct answer

Direct answer

To compress images on Mac with SwiftBiu, authorize the folder once (your home folder covers Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, Movies, and iCloud Drive), select one or more images, and run Image Compression from the SwiftBiu toolbar, a file shortcut, or a directional drag route. SwiftBiu shows progress, output size, saved ratio, and the generated files. Video files use the built-in Video Compression action the same way, and images or videos in clipboard history can be sent straight into compression.

Verified 2026-10-19

Problem

Compression is a two-second job buried in a multi-step detour

You select a screenshot for a bug report, a batch of product photos for a web page, or a screen recording for chat, and the file is too large. The compression itself is quick; the detour around it is not. Opening a separate app, dragging files in, choosing an export location, then returning to Finder or the upload form breaks the task you were actually doing. When the image was only copied—not saved—there is an extra save-to-disk step before any compressor can even see it.

SwiftBiu

Run compression from the file, the drag, or the clipboard item

SwiftBiu manages Image Compression, Video Compression, image format conversion, and background removal as built-in file actions inside the same configurable action system used for text, OCR, and plugins. That means compression can start from wherever the file is: the selection toolbar for selected files, a dedicated shortcut, a 4- or 8-direction drag route (for example, drag right to compress and drag up to AirDrop), or the clipboard history panel for a copied image or video. Per-app rules and file-extension rules let .png or .mp4 files default to the action you use most, and after compression you can continue into AirDrop, system Share, Reveal in Finder, or Open With without another app switch.

How to compress images and video on Mac with SwiftBiu

  1. 1

    Authorize the folders once

    SwiftBiu runs inside the macOS App Sandbox, so file actions need a folder root you have authorized. Authorizing your home folder (~) once covers Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, Movies, Music, and iCloud Drive and avoids repeated prompts.

  2. 2

    Enable the compression actions you want

    In SwiftBiu's built-in file extensions, enable Image Compression and, if you need it, Video Compression. Free lets you use premium file actions one at a time with manual switching; Pro keeps multiple file actions active together.

  3. 3

    Pick the trigger that fits your habit

    Select the files and use the SwiftBiu toolbar, assign a file shortcut, or map a drag direction on the 4/8-direction wheel to compression. The same hotkey can translate selected text, compress selected images, and AirDrop other files, because SwiftBiu routes by content type.

  4. 4

    Compress one file or a batch

    Run the action on a single image or a multi-file selection. SwiftBiu shows progress, output size, saved ratio, and the generated files so you can confirm the result before you upload or send it.

  5. 5

    Continue with the result

    Send the compressed output through AirDrop or system Share, Reveal it in Finder, or Open With a chosen app. For copied images or videos, open clipboard history and hand the item to compression or format conversion directly.

Built-in compression with citeable product facts

SwiftBiu's built-in file actions include Image compression, Video compression, Image format conversion, Image background removal, AirDrop, System share, Open with chosen app, Reveal in Finder, and Link download. Compression runs for one file or a batch and reports progress, output size, saved ratio, and generated files. File actions can be triggered from the toolbar, dedicated shortcuts, 4- or 8-direction drag routes, file-extension rules, and clipboard history. Free is USD 0; Pro is USD 9.99 one-time and keeps multiple file, shortcut, and extension actions active at once (App Store local pricing may vary).

Read the selected-text workflow in the guide →
SwiftBiu built-in file actions on macOS including image and video compression

Alternative: built-in Finder tools or a dedicated compressor app

macOS Finder Quick Actions such as Convert Image can resize or change format without extra software, and dedicated compression apps are the right fit when you need fine-grained codec, quality, or target-size control across large libraries. SwiftBiu is most useful when compression is one step in a bigger flow—select, compress, then share or upload—and you want that step triggered by a selection, drag direction, shortcut, or clipboard item inside the same Free + $9.99 one-time Pro product that also covers the selection toolbar, OCR, and clipboard history.

When in-context compression helps

  • check_circle You compress screenshots or photos several times a day before pasting them into chat, tickets, CMS uploads, or email.
  • check_circle You want to batch compress a Finder selection and see output size and saved ratio without opening a separate window.
  • check_circle You copy images or screen recordings and want to compress them straight from clipboard history.
  • check_circle You like gestures: drag an image one direction to compress it and another direction to AirDrop or share it.
  • check_circle You want .png or .mp4 files to default to a specific action in specific apps through per-app and file-extension rules.

Limitations and what to know

  • info File actions only work inside folder roots you have authorized; this is a macOS App Sandbox requirement, not an optional setting.
  • info The actions offered depend on the selected file type and the file actions you have enabled; non-image files will not show Image Compression.
  • info Some file workflows write new output files instead of modifying the original. Review the generated files before deleting originals or batch processing important media.
  • info On Free, premium file actions are used one at a time with manual switching; keeping several file actions active together requires Pro ($9.99 one-time).
  • info SwiftBiu is a context-action layer, not a dedicated encoder suite; if you need detailed codec, bitrate, or target-size controls for large video libraries, a specialized compressor may fit better.

Related pages and workflows

File actions on Mac

All built-in file actions: compression, conversion, background removal, AirDrop, Share, Open With, and Reveal in Finder.

Directional drag triggers

Map 4- or 8-direction drags to compression, sharing, and other file actions, with per-app routes.

macOS clipboard history

Send copied images and videos from history into compression or conversion instead of saving them first.

Per-app rules

Give the same gesture or shortcut a different file action in Finder, Safari, or any other app.

SwiftBiu pricing

Free vs Pro: multiple active file actions with Pro at $9.99 one-time.

File actions in the User Guide

Folder authorization, built-in file actions, and drag-route setup in the macOS app.

Compress images and video on Mac FAQ

With SwiftBiu, select the images in Finder (after authorizing the folder once) and run Image Compression from the SwiftBiu toolbar, a file shortcut, or a drag direction. The output appears alongside progress, output size, and saved ratio.
Yes. Image compression works on a single file or a batch selection, and SwiftBiu shows progress and the generated files for the batch.
Yes. Video Compression is a built-in file action for compatible selected video files, and videos in clipboard history can be sent to it as well.
Yes. SwiftBiu clipboard history matches each item to compatible extensions, so a copied image can go directly to image compression or format conversion and a copied video to video compression.
Yes. Map a direction on the 4- or 8-direction drag wheel to Image Compression, then drag or throw the file toward that direction. Routes can differ per app.
SwiftBiu runs in the macOS App Sandbox. Authorizing a folder root—your home folder covers Desktop, Downloads, Documents, Pictures, Movies, and iCloud Drive—lets file actions read and write files there.
SwiftBiu has a Free tier (USD 0) where premium file actions are used one at a time with manual switching. Pro is USD 9.99 one-time and keeps multiple file actions active together. App Store local pricing may vary by region.
Yes. Image format conversion and image background removal are built-in file actions alongside compression, and they use the same toolbar, shortcut, drag, and clipboard triggers.

Make compression a context action

Install SwiftBiu, authorize your folders once, and compress images or video from a selection, drag direction, shortcut, or clipboard item—inside the Free + $9.99 one-time Pro product that also covers text, OCR, and plugins.

Download SwiftBiu Read the file actions guide