Smaller files, same photos
Compression is tuned to reduce size while keeping detail.
JPEG Jackal
Smaller photos. Ready to send.
JPEG Jackal recompresses photos to take less disk space without visible loss. Drop a file or a whole folder and keep the result only when it's smaller. Start with the free Lite version; Standard and Pro add more control.
macOS 12.0 or later
Lite replaces original files, or moves them to the Trash if you choose. Standard and Pro can save copies to another folder. Keep a backup before using Lite.
Smaller photos. Ready to send.
JPEG Jackal makes photos smaller before you send or upload them, and turns iPhone HEIC photos into JPEGs that open everywhere. Share photos to it from Photos, or use it in Shortcuts, and get compressed copies back; your originals stay as they are. Lite is free, with no limits or watermarks; Pro adds more control.
iOS 17.0 or later · iPadOS 17.0 or later
Saves compressed copies. Your library originals stay unchanged. Pro is a one-time purchase.
One photo. Less to send.
A real photo, compressed in JPEG Jackal for Mac. Both files keep all 4080 × 3072 pixels.
- Original JPEG
- 6.63 MB
- Compressed JPEG
- 3.73 MB 44% smaller
Hover over the photo to inspect it at 100%. Move the pointer to explore; move away to see the whole photo.
Inspect the fine detail
Matching 600 × 400 pixel crops, with no resizing. Open either crop to see it at its original pixel size.
JPEG Jackal 3.2 for Mac · Quality 60%, original resolution, metadata retained. Savings vary with the photo and settings.
Download original · 6.63 MBDownload compressed · 3.73 MB
Photo: RonRubs / Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
What it does
Mac ·
Files or whole folders
Drag a single photo or a folder of thousands onto the window or the Dock icon. Photos dragged from Photos or Mail work too.
Target file sizePro
Ask for a maximum size and JPEG Jackal picks the highest quality that fits.
All features
- Smaller files, same photos — Compression is tuned to reduce size while keeping detail. (Lite)
- Files or whole folders — Drag a single photo or a folder of thousands onto the window or the Dock icon. Photos dragged from Photos or Mail work too. (Lite)
- Only when it helps — A photo is saved only if the result is noticeably smaller. The rest are left as they are. (Lite)
- Presets — Web, Email, High quality and High compression, one click each. (Lite)
- Compress from Finder — Right-click photos or folders in Finder and choose the JPEG Jackal item under Services, or use Open With. (Lite)
- See the savings — Space saved and compression ratio are shown as the work runs, with all-time totals. (Lite)
- Originals to the Trash — Turn on Move originals to the Trash in Settings and a replaced original goes to the Trash instead of being overwritten. (Lite)
- Custom settings — Set your own quality and resize by the long side, the short side or a width and height box. (Standard)
- Keep the originals — Save compressed copies to a folder of your choice instead of replacing the originals. (Standard)
- Subfolders too — Find photos in nested folders and keep the same folder structure in the output. (Standard)
- Drop on the menu bar — Drop files on the menu bar icon without opening the window. (Standard)
- Save as PNG — Choose PNG in the Save as menu of the main window. PNG has no quality setting. (Standard)
- HEIC and WebP to JPEG — Convert iPhone HEIC photos and WebP images to JPEG in the same pass. (Pro)
- Camera RAW photos — Compress DNG, CR2, NEF, ARW and other camera RAW files. Your RAW original is kept; the result is a separate file in the folder you chose. (Pro)
- Save as HEIC — Choose HEIC in the Save as menu to write HEIC files, on Macs that can encode them. (Pro)
- Compare before and after — Drag a divider across the original and the result, zoom in, then compress. (Pro)
- Target file size — Ask for a maximum size and JPEG Jackal picks the highest quality that fits. (Pro)
- Remove metadata — Strip EXIF, GPS location and camera data. Orientation and colour stay correct. (Pro)
- iPhone and iPad included — Pro is one purchase for Mac, iPhone and iPad: install it on your iPhone or iPad with the same Apple Account and Pro is unlocked there too. (Pro)
iPhone & iPad ·
Right from the Share menu
Select photos in Photos, tap Share and choose JPEG Jackal. Or open the app and pick up to 200 photos from Photos or Files.
Your originals stay as they are
You get compressed copies: save them to Photos or Files, or share them right away.
Target file sizePro
Set a limit, like 500 KB for an upload form, and JPEG Jackal picks the highest quality that fits.
All features
- Right from the Share menu — Select photos in Photos, tap Share and choose JPEG Jackal. Or open the app and pick up to 200 photos from Photos or Files. (Lite)
- Smaller files, same photos — Compression is tuned to reduce size while keeping detail. (Lite)
- Presets — Web, Email, High quality and High compression, one tap each. (Lite)
- HEIC and WebP to JPEG — iPhone HEIC photos, WebP and PNG images come out as JPEGs that open everywhere. (Lite)
- Your originals stay as they are — You get compressed copies: save them to Photos or Files, or share them right away. (Lite)
- Choose what to send — Uncheck a photo to send its original instead of the compressed copy, or swipe a row to leave it out. (Lite)
- See the savings — Each photo shows its size before and after, with the total saved for the batch. (Lite)
- Only when it helps — A JPEG that can't get noticeably smaller is passed on as it is. (Lite)
- On your device — Photos are compressed on your iPhone or iPad, without an internet connection. (Lite)
- Shortcuts and Siri — Compress Photos works in Shortcuts and with Siri, without opening the app. Lite uses the presets and JPEG; Pro adds the rest. (Lite)
- Custom settings — Set your own quality and resize by the long side, the short side or a width and height box. (Pro)
- Target file size — Set a limit, like 500 KB for an upload form, and JPEG Jackal picks the highest quality that fits. (Pro)
- Save as HEIC or PNG — Choose HEIC or PNG instead of JPEG in the Save as menu. (Pro)
- Camera RAW photos — Open camera RAW files from Files and compress them too. (Pro)
- Remove metadata — Share photos without location and camera data. Orientation and colour stay correct. (Pro)
- Mac included — Pro is one purchase for iPhone, iPad and Mac: install it on your Mac with the same Apple Account and Pro is unlocked there too. (Pro)
Compare versions
Mac ·
Compare the features in each version.
| LiteUpgrade to Standard or Pro inside the app. | StandardCustom settings, PNG output and output folders. | ProEverything, including HEIC and RAW photos, HEIC output and Compare. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom settings | Not included | Included | Included |
| Keep the originals | Not included | Included | Included |
| Subfolders too | Not included | Included | Included |
| Drop on the menu bar | Not included | Included | Included |
| Save as PNG | Not included | Included | Included |
| HEIC and WebP to JPEG | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Camera RAW photos | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Save as HEIC | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Compare before and after | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Target file size | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Remove metadata | Not included | Not included | Included |
| iPhone and iPad included | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Price | FreeApp StoreGet | $1.99App StoreGet | $4.99App StoreGet |
Standard and Pro are also available as an in-app upgrade from Lite.
iPhone & iPad ·
Compare the features in each version.
| LiteUpgrade to Pro inside the app. | ProYour own settings, a file size limit, HEIC and PNG output and metadata removal. | |
|---|---|---|
| Custom settings | Not included | Included |
| Target file size | Not included | Included |
| Save as HEIC or PNG | Not included | Included |
| Camera RAW photos | Not included | Included |
| Remove metadata | Not included | Included |
| Mac included | Not included | Included |
| Price | FreeApp StoreGet | $4.99App StoreGet |
Pro is also available as an in-app upgrade from Lite. Either way, one purchase covers iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Privacy
JPEG Jackal doesn't collect any data. Its App Store privacy label reads “Data Not Collected”.
Details
- Requires
- macOS 12.0 or later
- Category
- Utilities
- Price
- Lite: FreeStandard: $1.99, one-time purchasePro: $4.99, one-time purchase
- Requires
- iOS 17.0 or lateriPadOS 17.0 or later
- Category
- Utilities
- Price
- Lite: FreePro: $4.99, one-time purchase
Support
What's the difference between Standard and Pro?
Standard adds custom quality and size settings, saving to another folder, subfolders, PNG output and drops on the menu bar icon. Pro has everything in Standard plus HEIC, WebP and camera RAW photos, HEIC output, before-and-after comparison, a target file size and metadata removal.
Should I upgrade inside Lite or buy the separate app?
You get the same features either way. An in-app upgrade unlocks Lite itself, so you can try the free version first; if you upgrade to Standard, you can move on to Pro there later. Standard and Pro are also sold as separate apps if you'd rather buy outright. These are separate purchases: an upgrade in Lite doesn't unlock the separate apps, and buying a separate app doesn't unlock Lite.
Will it overwrite my originals?
In Lite, a compressed photo replaces the original, or moves it to the Trash if you turn that on. Standard and Pro can save copies to another folder instead, and Pro lets you compare before and after first.
What happens to files that can't get smaller?
They are left as they are.
Something else?
Write to [email protected]. Include your macOS version and what you were doing when the problem appeared.
Do I need to buy Pro again for my iPhone, iPad or Mac?
No. Pro is one purchase for iPhone, iPad and Mac. If you bought JPEG Jackal Pro, install it on your other devices with the same Apple Account. If you upgraded to Pro inside Lite, Lite is unlocked on all of them.
Should I upgrade inside Lite or buy Pro?
You get the same features either way. The upgrade unlocks Lite itself, so you can try the free version first. These are separate purchases: the upgrade in Lite doesn't unlock the Pro app, and buying the Pro app doesn't unlock Lite.
I have JPEG Jackal Standard on my Mac. What do I get on iPhone?
Standard is Mac only; on iPhone and iPad there are Lite and Pro. If you unlocked Standard inside Lite on your Mac, Lite on iPhone and iPad offers Pro at a lower upgrade price.
Does it change the photos in my library?
No. JPEG Jackal makes compressed copies. Save to Photos adds them to your library next to the originals; Save to Files and Share leave the library as it is.
Can I use JPEG Jackal in Shortcuts?
Yes. Add the Compress Photos action to a shortcut, or ask Siri to compress photos with JPEG Jackal. Lite uses the presets and JPEG output; Custom settings, HEIC and PNG, metadata removal and RAW files need Pro. A big batch continues in the app. If a photo can't be compressed, the run fails, so the next step never gets a partial set.
I can't find JPEG Jackal in the Share menu.
Scroll the row of app icons to the end and tap More, then choose JPEG Jackal Lite or JPEG Jackal PRO. You can also open the app and pick photos there.
Why does it ask for access to Photos?
Only to save: Save to Photos needs permission to add photos to your library. JPEG Jackal can't see the rest of your library; it gets only the photos you choose or share.
What happens to photos that can't get smaller?
A JPEG that can't get noticeably smaller comes back as it is, marked “Already optimized”, so it's still shared or saved with the rest.
Something else?
Write to [email protected]. Include your iOS or iPadOS version and what you were doing when the problem appeared.
JPEG Jackal
Shrinks JPEG files and keeps the photos sharp.
Lite · Free