JPEGmini Pro 4.5 · Last updated June 2026
Before you start
JPEGmini Pro 4.5 or later (download link below if you need to update)
An Automations license — or start a free 7-day trial (no credit card required) directly from the Automations tab
Step 1 — Install and activate JPEGmini Pro
Download JPEGmini Pro
Get the latest version for your platform:
Already on 4.5? Skip to Step 2.
Install the app
Mac: Open the downloaded
.dmgfile and drag JPEGmini Pro into your Applications folder.
Windows: Run the installer and follow the prompts.Enter your license key
Launch JPEGmini Pro, then open Settings (click the gear icon in the sidebar, or choose View › Settings from the menu bar). Click "Enter new activation code", paste your key, and click Activate.
Your license key is in your order confirmation email. Need it again? Contact support@jpegmini.com.
Step 2 — Create your first Automation
Go to the Automations tab
Click the Automations icon in the sidebar. If you haven't purchased Automations yet, click "Create Your First Automation" to start your free 7-day trial — no credit card needed.
Click "+ Add Automation"
This opens the automation setup panel. The window title will read "Add Automation".
Name your automation
Give it a descriptive name (e.g., "Client Delivery", "Social Posts", "Project Exports"). If you leave this blank and set a watch folder first, JPEGmini will use the folder name automatically.
Choose your watch folder
This is the folder JPEGmini will watch. Any files or folders dropped here are picked up and processed automatically within a few seconds.
Important: The watch folder cannot be changed after the automation is created. If you need a different source folder, create a new automation.
Important: As files are processed, JPEGmini moves your originals out of the watch folder — they don't stay there as loose files. They're preserved under your retention policy (below) and can be restored with Retrieve originals.
Choose your output folder
This is where your optimized files will appear. The output folder must be different from the watch folder. It also cannot be the watch or output folder of another automation.
Configure export sizes Optional
Set up multiple output sizes for images and videos in a single pass. JPEGmini includes built-in presets — you can use them as-is or add custom sizes.
Image presets
Preset name
What it does
Best for
Original Size
No resize — optimized only
Print, archiving, client delivery
Gallery (2048)
Max width 2048px
Portfolio websites, online galleries
Social (1080)
Max width 1080px
Instagram, social media
Custom
Set your own size — max width, height, long edge, or short edge
Any specific output dimension you need
Video presets
Preset name
What it does
4K
Max height 2160px
1080p
Max height 1080px
720p
Max height 720px
Custom
Set your own size — max width, height, long edge, or short edge
You can add up to 4 image sizes and 4 video sizes per automation. If you select multiple sizes, each output is placed in its own subfolder, named after its dimension (for example, maxWidth 2048).
Set your retention policy
Choose how long JPEGmini keeps your original files before removing them from disk. Originals are stored in a hidden folder inside your watch folder and can be retrieved at any time within the retention window.
Option
Behavior
Forever
Originals are never deleted
One week (default)
Good balance of safety and storage
One day
For high-volume workflows
Don't retain
Originals deleted immediately after processing
Important: Your originals are not left in the watch folder. To get one back, use Retrieve originals on the Automations tab. With “Don't retain”, originals are deleted permanently, so keep your own backup if you need them.
Click "Create"
Your automation is created and immediately active — no additional toggle needed. It starts watching your folder right away.
How it works
Once your automation is running, the workflow is entirely hands-free:
Drop files into your watch folder
Drop individual files or entire folders at the root of your watch folder — a folder you drop is processed too, and its structure is preserved in the output. JPEGmini detects them within a few seconds and moves them out for processing.
JPEGmini processes everything in the background
The background agent handles all processing automatically — you don't need to have JPEGmini open. Export from your favorite tool directly into your watch folder and the files will be processed before you switch apps.
Find your optimized files in the output folder
Results are organized automatically. If you chose multiple output sizes, each size gets its own subfolder, named after its dimension:
Output Folder/
├── Original Size/
│ └── photo1.jpg
├── maxWidth 2048/
│ └── photo1.jpg
└── maxWidth 1080/
└── photo1.jpg
If you selected a single size, files appear directly in the output folder with the same name as the original.
Managing your automations
Enable / Disable
Use the toggle next to any automation to pause or resume it. When disabled, the automation stops watching for new files. Any jobs already in progress are paused and resume automatically when you re-enable it.
Edit
Click the Edit icon (pencil) to change the output folder, export sizes, or retention policy. Note: the watch folder cannot be changed after creation. To use a different source folder, create a new automation.
Delete
Click the Delete icon (trash) to remove an automation. This does not delete any processed files.
Retrieve originals
Click the Retrieve icon to access original files from completed jobs within the retention period. A window lists all available jobs by creation date — click Retrieve next to any job and choose where to save the files.
Tips & highlights
Up to 4 automations
Create separate automations for different clients, projects, or export workflows — all running simultaneously.
Multi-size export
Up to 4 image sizes and 4 video sizes per automation, all processed in one pass.
Truly background
Automations run via a background agent — JPEGmini doesn't even need to be open. Restarts automatically if your computer reboots.
Original retention
Your originals are stored safely for the period you set. Retrieve them anytime from the Automations tab.
Trial & plan limits
Plan | Automations | Sizes per media type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Free trial (7 days) | 1 | Up to 4 | Free — no credit card |
Pro + Automations | 4 | Up to 4 | $99 (one-time) |
Automations Add-on (existing Pro owners) | 4 | Up to 4 | $40 |
Frequently asked questions
Where do my original files go after they’re processed?
As files are processed, JPEGmini moves your originals out of the watch folder into a hidden store on your computer (inside the watch folder), so you won’t see them sitting loose there. If your retention policy keeps them (Forever, One week, or One day), you can restore any original from the Automations tab using Retrieve originals, for as long as the retention window lasts. With “Don’t retain”, originals are deleted right after processing and can’t be recovered.
Does the automation run when JPEGmini is closed?
Yes — completely. Automations run through a background agent that stays active even when the JPEGmini app is not open. You can export directly from your favorite tool into your watch folder and everything will be processed automatically. If your computer restarts, the agent restarts automatically and picks up where it left off.
How many automations can I create?
Up to 4 automations with a purchased license. The free trial is limited to 1 automation. All active automations run simultaneously, with processing balanced evenly across them.
What file types are supported?
Images: JPEG and HEIC. Videos: MOV, MP4, and M4V. Files in unsupported formats are copied to the output folder as-is without processing.
Can I set my own output size?
Yes. Alongside the built-in presets, choose Custom to define your own size — by max width, max height, max long edge, or max short edge — for either images or videos.
Can I use Automations without JPEGmini Pro?
No — Automations requires JPEGmini Pro 4.5 or later, plus the Automations add-on or bundle (or an active trial). If you're on an older version, download the latest from jpegmini.com.
Can I change the watch folder after creating an automation?
No. The watch folder is locked once an automation is created. To use a different source folder, create a new automation pointing to it.
Can the watch and output folders be the same?
No — this would cause a processing loop. JPEGmini will show an error if you try. The watch and output folders must be distinct, and no folder can be shared across multiple automations.
My automation isn't processing files. What should I check?
First confirm the automation is enabled (toggle is on). Place your files — or whole folders — at the root level of the watch folder. Also check that the files are a supported format (JPEG, HEIC, MOV, MP4, M4V). If the issue persists, contact support@jpegmini.com.
Will this slow down my computer?
Automation processing is intentionally lightweight — it uses a limited number of background threads. When you're actively using the JPEGmini app to process files manually, automation processing pauses automatically to avoid conflicts.
Is Automations available on both Mac and Windows?
Yes. Automations are fully supported in JPEGmini Pro 4.5 on both Mac and Windows.
