How Should You Compress an App Store Preview Video?
A preview video is the last thing people see before deciding to install, and it is almost all interface: small text, icons, buttons. That content is the most sensitive to compression artifacts, and stores set hard resolution requirements.
Why these videos are more sensitive
Most people will not notice heavier compression on everyday footage, but blotchy or ragged text and icons in a UI recording are obvious at a glance. Preview videos often decide whether someone installs, so quality affects conversion directly.
Do not change resolution or frame rate
Stores usually require specific pixel dimensions. tinyclip's resolution options (longest edge 1920/1280/854px, or scale to 1/2 through 1/4) all change dimensions, so keep "Keep original resolution". Keep the frame rate too, to stay within the store's requirements.
For the same reason, avoid Target size: when the computed bitrate cannot support the original resolution, it lowers the resolution automatically, which breaks the required dimensions.
Suggested settings
| Setting | Suggestion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Compression level | High quality (CRF 18) | UI text first |
| Resolution | Keep original | Store dimensions are mandatory |
| Frame rate | Keep original | Same reason |
| Compatibility mode | On if small text looks rough | Software x264: slower, cleaner text |
| Output | MP4 (H.264 + AAC) | The tool always outputs this, the most compatible pairing |
The default hardware encoder is fast, but at the same file size its picture is slightly behind software x264 (about 1 to 1.5 dB lower PSNR in the tool's own testing), and the gap shows most on small text. In compatibility mode, CRF and encoder speed fully apply, so you can also choose Custom and set encoder speed to Slow for a smaller file.
Suggested workflow
- Record or edit to the store's current resolution and duration requirements first.
- Compress on High quality, then play full-screen and check the smallest text and icon edges.
- If edges look rough, recompress with compatibility mode; still not happy, use Custom with CRF 16.
- If it is over the size limit, shorten it before lowering the preset.
- Drop previews for several sizes and languages in at once; they process one by one and download as a ZIP.
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