Hey HN! I built HEVCut, an iOS app that helps free up iCloud storage by re-encoding videos to HEVC (H.265) while preserving metadata. Large video files were a constant issue for me, and I wanted an efficient, privacy-friendly way to shrink them—without relying on cloud services or manual file management.

How It Works

HEVCut scans your entire video library, including files stored in iCloud but not downloaded, to automatically find the best candidates for compression—focusing on large, high-bitrate files that can be significantly reduced.

It re-encodes locally, shrinking files by 50% or more while keeping metadata like timestamps and location intact. By default, it downsizes to Full HD for even smaller sizes, but you can keep the original resolution if needed.

Additionally, HEVCut trims videos at the file level, removing unnecessary trimmed sections (those saved as part of iOS’s non-destructive editing), further reducing space usage.

Key Features

Smart Video Selection – Finds large, high-bitrate videos to compress, even in iCloud One-Tap Compression – Pick a video and let HEVCut do the rest Local & Private Processing – No cloud uploads, everything stays on your device Preserves Metadata – Keeps timestamps, location data, and more Automatic Trim Cleanup – Deletes hidden trimmed sections to free up extra space Flexible Resolution – Default to Full HD, or keep original quality

This update comes after 4 months of iterating with AI code tools automating file selection. All as a side project since I’m not a swift developer. Would love to hear your thoughts. Any feedback or ideas for improvement are welcome!

Check it out: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hevcut/id6737538832