Delete Large Videos iPhone: Free Up Massive Storage Fast

One problem: "Storage Full"

Open Settings: 47GB used by Photos

The culprit: 12 large videos using 22GB

Photos take kilobytes. Videos take gigabytes.

Here's how to find and delete large videos on iPhone in minutes—not hours.

Why Videos Fill iPhone Storage So Fast

Video file size reality:

1-minute video sizes:

• 720p (HD): 60-100MB
• 1080p (Full HD): 130-200MB
• 4K 30fps: 350-400MB
• 4K 60fps: 400-500MB

Real example:

• 5-minute 4K vacation video: 2GB
• 10 such videos: 20GB storage
• That's 5,000 photos worth of space

Where large videos come from:

• Concert recordings
• Birthday/event videos
• Vacation footage
• Kids playing (proud parent syndrome)
• Landscape timelapses
• Pet videos

How to Check Video Storage Usage

Quick check (iOS built-in):

1. Open Settings
2. Tap General → iPhone Storage
3. Scroll to Photos
4. Look at total size

Problem: Doesn't show individual video sizes. Can't sort by largest.

Better solution: App that lists videos by size (covered below).

Method 1: Delete Large Videos Fast (Ezy Photo Clean)

Sorts all videos by size—delete biggest storage hogs first.

Step-by-Step:

Step 1: Download Ezy Photo Clean

• Free on App Store
• No subscription for video sorting feature
• 100% private—all on-device

Step 2: Open Large Video Finder

• Launch app
• Tap "Large Videos" feature
• Grant photo access

Step 3: View Videos by Size

• All videos sorted largest to smallest
• Shows exact file size for each
• Displays total storage used
• See duration and resolution

Step 4: Preview Before Deleting

• Tap any video to preview
• Decide if you need to keep it
• Check if backed up elsewhere

Step 5: Select and Delete

• Check videos to delete
• App shows storage to be freed
• Tap "Delete Selected Videos"
• Confirm deletion

Step 6: Verify Results

• See total storage freed
• Usually 10-20GB on first cleanup
• Videos moved to Recently Deleted

Real Results:

"Found 8 videos over 1GB each. Deleted 7 I didn't need. Freed 14.2GB in 2 minutes!" — Amanda R., iPhone 13 Pro user

Method 2: iOS Photos App (Manual)

More time-consuming but uses built-in tools:

Step 1: Open Photos

• Go to Albums tab
• Tap "Videos" under Media Types

Step 2: Sort by Size (Workaround)

• Videos shown by date, not size
• Must scroll through all
• Tap each to see duration (rough size estimate)
• Longer duration = larger file

Limitation: No file size shown. Must guess based on length.

Step 3: Delete Individual Videos

• Tap video to open
• Tap trash icon
• Confirm delete
• Repeat for each large video

Time required: 10-15 minutes to check 50+ videos

What Size Videos Should You Delete?

General guidelines:

Delete immediately (if not important):

• Videos over 1GB (usually 3+ minute 4K)
• Accidental recordings (pocket videos)
• Test videos
• Videos of TV screens
• Redundant angles of same event

Consider keeping:

• Important life events (weddings, births)
• Once-in-a-lifetime moments
• Professional/work videos
• Videos not backed up elsewhere

Best practice: Delete after backing up to computer or cloud.

Video Backup Before Deletion

Don't lose memories—backup first:

Option 1: iCloud Photos

• Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Photos
• Enable "iCloud Photos"
• Videos backed up automatically
• Costs $0.99-9.99/month

Option 2: Google Photos

• Download Google Photos app
• Enable backup
• Free up to 15GB
• Can delete from iPhone after upload

Option 3: Computer Transfer

• Connect iPhone to Mac/PC
• Import videos to Photos/File Explorer
• Verify transfer completed
• Then delete from iPhone

Option 4: External Drive

• Use Lightning to USB adapter
• Transfer to external SSD/HDD
• Most secure for large collections

Find Hidden Large Videos

Videos hiding in unexpected places:

1. Messages App

• Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Messages
• Shows videos in text messages
• Can be several GB
• Delete old message threads

2. WhatsApp/Social Media

• These apps store video copies
• Check app-specific storage
• Delete from within each app

3. Recently Deleted Album

• Photos → Albums → Recently Deleted
• Videos stay 30 days
• Still count against storage
• "Delete All" to free immediately

4. Shared Albums

• Check shared album videos
• These also use storage
• Remove from shared albums if needed

Video Resolution Management

Prevent future large videos:

Change video recording quality:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Camera → Record Video
3. Choose lower resolution:

- 1080p at 30fps (instead of 4K) - Saves 60% storage per video - Still excellent quality

When to use 4K:

• Professional projects
• Once-in-lifetime events
• When you'll edit footage

When 1080p is enough:

• Everyday moments
• Social media posts
• Quick captures
• Storage-conscious shooting

Storage Impact Examples

Real cleanup scenarios:

Scenario 1: Concert Videos

• 3 concert recordings (15 min total)
• 4K quality
• File sizes: 4.2GB, 3.8GB, 5.1GB
• Total freed: 13.1GB

Scenario 2: Kids Growing Up

• 45 videos over 100MB each
• 2 years of moments
• Total: 8.7GB
• After backup: freed 8.7GB

Scenario 3: Vacation Footage

• 24 videos from vacation
• Mostly 4K 60fps
• Total: 18.3GB
• Kept 6 best, deleted rest: freed 15GB

Take Action: Free 10-20GB Today

Your 5-minute action plan:

1. Download Ezy Photo Clean (free)
2. Open Large Video Finder
3. Sort videos by size
4. Delete videos over 500MB you don't need
5. Check Recently Deleted and empty it

Average storage freed: 10-20GB

That's room for 2,500-5,000 new photos.

Download Ezy Photo Clean - Large Video Finder

---

*Last updated: January 27, 2025* *Reading time: 3 minutes*