Last week, I faced a challenge while working on my blog. The platform only accepts

images up to 1 MB, but the pictures I take on my phone are 3–4 MB—a huge difference!

I spent a lot of time searching for apps and adjusting settings on my phone,  hoping to find an easy way to reduce the file size without compromising quality. Finally, I found a solution: an app called Compress. I found it a bit confusing when I first used it, but after my second try, I fully understood how it worked. Now, I use it regularly, and I find it extremely useful for the following reasons:

Why Compress is a Great Tool

✅ Simple Interface: After a little practice, the app becomes very easy to use.
✅ High-Quality Compression: It reduces file size while keeping good image quality.
✅ Batch Processing: You can compress three images at once.
✅ Customizable Settings: You can choose the level of compression you need.
✅ Fast Processing: The compression process is quick, saving a lot of time.

❌ What I Don’t Like About Compress

🚫 Too Many Ads: One thing that irritates me about this app is the number

of ads that pop up while using it. If you’re in a hurry and don’t have a lot of time to spend,

these interruptions can be frustrating.                                                                                    How to Use Compress (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Download and install the Compress app from the App Store or Google Play.
Step 2: Open the app and select the image(s) you want to compress.
Step 3: Choose your preferred compression level.
Step 4: Click the “Compress” button and wait a few seconds.
Step 5: Save the compressed image to your gallery or share it directly.Using Compress in the Classroom & the SAMR Model

This app can be incredibly useful in an educational setting. Here’s how it fits into the SAMR model:

• Substitution: Instead of uploading large images that take a long time to load, students can use Compress to reduce file sizes before submitting work.
• Augmentation: Teachers can save storage space and improve website performance by using smaller images in online materials.
• Modification: Students can use the app to compress images for multimedia projects, improving efficiency.
• Redefinition: The app allows students to easily share compressed images in collaborative projects without worrying about file size limits.

How I Used Compress for My Learning Project

As part of my learning project, I’m documenting my progress in crocheting. I take lots of pictures of my work, but since my phone’s camera produces large file sizes, I needed a way to reduce them for my blog.

I used Compress to shrink the images before uploading them. Here’s what I found:
✅ The compressed images loaded faster on my blog.
✅ I was able to upload more pictures without hitting storage limits.
✅ The image quality remained clear and detailed.

⬅️Here’s an example of an image before and after compression:

Reflection                 

If you need an easy and effective way to reduce image sizes, the Compress app is a great choice. However, be prepared for a lot of ads, which can be frustrating if you’re short on time.

Have you used Compress or a similar app? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!