Over the years, the Files app on iPhone and iPad has got a lot more powerful. For example, you can now take files and you can compress them into a zip file, which means they’re smaller for emailing and sharing via AirDrop. Let me show you how it works, it’s super simple.

And before I do that, if you’re new around here, then hi, my name is Jacob. I’m your friendly Apple expert here to help you make the most of your iPhone and iPad. If you want loads more QuickTips, please do press subscribe.

Okay, so here I am in the Files app, and I’ve got a folder here full of photos. These photos are quite large, and the folder itself is too big to send via email. Well, what I’m going to do is go back a level so I can see the folder icon itself, not the individual photos. And I’m going to long-press on the icon. From here, on that menu that shows up, you’ll find the option to compress that folder.

Tapping on here will take a moment or two, and then you’ll see a new file appear, which looks a little bit like this, and that’s called a zip archive. It’s all the same files and the same folder, but just shrunk down a bit to make better use of space.

If you were to receive a zip file, I’ve got another one here coincidentally, and you wanted to open it, you can simply press on there. Then all your files and folders are available to you, just like normal.

And that’s how you can zip and unzip files and folders on your iPhone or iPad. And if you want some more QuickTips, I think you’re going to really enjoy this one next.