HEVCut Compresses iPhone Photos On Device to Ease iCloud Storage Pressure
9to5Mac highlights HEVCut, an indie app that compresses photos and videos on device and removes duplicates without deleting content, with a Pro upgrade at $24.99 a year or $39.99 lifetime.
According to 9to5Mac, the storage issue is especially acute because Apple’s iCloud tiers leave a large gap: the service moves from 200GB at $3 to 2TB at $10. For users who want only a little more than 200GB, the article said, that upgrade can be hard to justify. HEVCut aims to address that gap by optimizing a user’s photo library without requiring deletions.
The app does include familiar photo-cleanup tools. 9to5Mac said HEVCut can help users find duplicate shots and delete photos through a swipe left/right interface. But the central feature is compression. The app can go through a photo library and compress media, saving 50% to 80% on each file while not losing much image quality, according to the article. That compression runs entirely on device, so users do not give up privacy to reduce file sizes, and 9to5Mac said it can easily help save hundreds of gigabytes of local or iCloud storage.
HEVCut also includes a video editor for trimming videos to shorter lengths to share with friends. 9to5Mac noted this feature for users who tend to record entire events when they only need a few key moments.
HEVCut is available for free on the App Store in a limited capacity, according to 9to5Mac. To unlock the full experience, including the best resolution settings, users need HEVCut Pro, which costs $24.99 per year or $39.99 for a lifetime upgrade. The article also said a $0.49 one-week trial is available for users who want to try the app before committing.
The app was featured as part of 9to5Mac’s weekly Indie App Spotlight series, which showcases apps from the indie app world. The article said developers who want their app featured can contact the publication.
Editor's Summary
HEVCut is an indie iPhone app promoted by 9to5Mac as a way to recover storage by compressing photos and videos on device, alongside duplicate-finding and video-trimming tools. It is free in limited form, while Pro costs $24.99 annually or $39.99 for a lifetime upgrade. The app targets users who need more than Apple’s 200GB iCloud tier but cannot justify the jump to 2TB.