Short answer: open compressjpeg.site/compress-jpeg-to-20kb in Safari, choose your photo, and download the result. You get a JPG under 20 KB that most forms accept. No app needed, and the photo never leaves your phone.
Why iPhone photos get rejected
- Too big: an iPhone photo is usually 2–5 MB, which is 100 to 250 times a 20 KB limit.
- HEIC format: iPhones save photos as HEIC by default. Many government and exam forms only accept JPG or JPEG.
- Too many pixels: about 4000 × 3000 px, when many forms want something like 200 × 230 px.
The iPhone has no built-in option to save a photo at an exact KB size, so a small tool is the easiest way.
Step by step
- Open Safari and go to compressjpeg.site/compress-jpeg-to-20kb (or the 50 KB page if your form allows 50 KB).
- Tap the upload box, then Photo Library, and choose your photo. HEIC photos are converted to JPG automatically.
- Wait a second. The new size appears under the photo, for example "19.6 KB".
- Tap Download. Safari saves it to Files → Downloads.
- On your form's upload button, choose Browse (or "Choose File"), then Downloads, and pick the new JPG.
Tip: choose the file from Files → Downloads, not from your Photos app. If you pick from Photos you may upload the original big photo by mistake.
For exam forms with exact pixels
If the notice asks for exact dimensions (like 200 × 230 px for the photo and 140 × 60 px for the signature), use the exam photo and signature resizer instead. It sets the pixels and the KB together.
Make your iPhone save JPG in future (optional)
Go to Settings → Camera → Formats and choose Most Compatible. New photos will be saved as JPG instead of HEIC. Photos you already took stay HEIC, but you can convert them with HEIC to JPG.
Quality tips for a 20 KB photo
- Take the photo in good daylight against a plain wall. Plain backgrounds compress much better than busy ones.
- Crop to just your head and shoulders before compressing.
- If 20 KB looks blurry and the form allows more, use 50 KB instead.