How a 5 MB File Size Limit Inspired an App to Solve Photo Compression Issues

In a recent experience, a university student faced the frustrating problem of uploading a high-resolution photo of a math assignment to a university platform, only to be met with a 5 MB file size limit. Despite trying various methods, including adjusting the photo angle and dealing with the iPhone’s HEIC format, the student found no easy solution. Online compressors were either unsafe or inconvenient, and some mobile apps demanded unreasonable fees. Ultimately, the student turned to a labor-intensive method involving macOS Preview to resize the image and finally managed to submit it just in time. This frustration led to the creation of Crunch, an offline photo compression app that solves the problem by shrinking images by up to 70%, allowing on-device compression without uploading to third-party servers. Crunch also offers the ability to convert HEIC files into JPG or PDF formats and removes EXIF data for privacy. The app is free for up to 10 photos a day, with a one-time $3.99 option for unlimited use. The developer is also open to feedback from users to improve the app. Crunch reflects how a seemingly small limitation led to the development of a solution that could help many others facing similar issues.