What iMovie does and what it doesn't

iMovie is a free video editor built into every Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It handles the core tasks: cutting clips, adding transitions, overlaying text and music, and exporting a finished video. You do not need to buy anything or learn professional software to make a watchable movie.

iMovie is not designed for effects-heavy work or frame-by-frame color grading. If your project is a family video, a short social media clip, a school presentation, or a straightforward documentary, iMovie will do the job. If you need advanced color correction, motion graphics, or multi-track audio mixing, you will outgrow it — but that is a problem to solve later, not now.

The interface differs slightly between Mac and iPad, but the workflow is the same: import footage, arrange clips on a timeline, trim and cut, add transitions and titles, sync audio, and export. This guide covers Mac iMovie, which is the most common version.

Key Takeaways

  • iMovie is free on Mac, iPad, and iPhone, and handles cutting, transitions, titles, and music without requiring you to learn professional software.
  • Import video by connecting a camera or phone, or by dragging files into iMovie from your computer.
  • Build your movie by dragging clips onto the timeline, then trim each clip by dragging its edges to the exact frame where you want it to start or stop.
  • Transitions, titles, and background music are added by dragging them from the sidebar onto the timeline between or over your clips.
  • Export your finished movie as an MP4 file, which plays on any device and uploads to any platform.

Importing video into iMovie

Open iMovie and create a new project. You will see a blank timeline at the bottom and a media browser at the top. The fastest way to bring in footage is to drag video files directly from your Finder window into the media browser, or into the timeline itself.

If your video is on a camera or phone, connect the device to your Mac with a USB cable. iMovie will detect it and show an import window. Select the clips you want and click Import. iMovie copies them to your computer, so you can disconnect the device once the import finishes.

You can also import video by going to File > Import Media and selecting files from your hard drive. iMovie accepts MP4, MOV, and most other common video formats. Start with a small test clip to make sure the workflow feels natural before importing hours of footage.

Arranging clips on the timeline

Once your video is imported, you will see thumbnails in the media browser. Drag a clip from the browser onto the timeline at the bottom. The clip will snap into place. Drag another clip next to it, and another. The order on the timeline is the order your movie will play.

To rearrange clips, click and drag them left or right on the timeline. To delete a clip, select it and press Delete. If you delete something by accident, press Command-Z to undo.

As you build the timeline, watch the preview window in the center. Click the play button to see how your clips flow together. You will notice hard cuts between clips — no transition, just one frame ending and the next beginning. That is normal and often the right choice. You will add transitions later if the story needs them.

Trimming clips to the exact frame

Most of your editing time will be spent trimming. A clip from your camera probably has dead space at the start and end — the moment before you hit record, the moment after you stopped. Trimming removes that waste.

Click a clip on the timeline to select it. Move your cursor to the left edge of the clip until it changes to a resize arrow. Drag the edge inward to the frame where you want the clip to start. Do the same at the right edge to set where it ends. The preview window updates as you drag, so you can see exactly where the cut lands.

If you need to cut a clip in the middle — to remove a pause or a mistake — position your cursor at the exact frame where you want to split it, then press Command-B. iMovie cuts the clip into two pieces. Delete the unwanted middle section, and the remaining clips snap together.

Trimming is not permanent. If you change your mind, click the clip and drag its edges back out. iMovie keeps the original footage in case you need it later.

Adding transitions, titles, and music

Transitions are the visual effects between clips — a fade, a slide, a dissolve. Click the Transitions button in the toolbar (it looks like two overlapping squares). A panel opens showing available transitions. Drag a transition onto the space between two clips on the timeline. A small icon appears between them, showing the transition is active.

Titles appear as text over your video. Click the Titles button and choose a style. Drag it onto the timeline above a clip, or at the start of your movie. Double-click the title to edit the text. You can change the font, size, and color in the inspector panel on the right.

To add music, click the Music button. You will see iMovie's built-in music library and any songs in your iTunes library. Drag a song onto the timeline below your video clips. The audio track appears as a separate row. You can trim the music the same way you trim video — drag its edges to make it shorter or longer. Adjust the volume by clicking the music clip and dragging the volume slider in the inspector.

Syncing audio and managing sound

If your video has its own audio — dialogue, ambient sound, or music recorded during filming — that audio stays attached to the clip. When you add background music, both play at once. Use the volume sliders to balance them. Drag the video clip's volume slider down if the background music should be louder, or drag the music slider down if the original sound matters more.

To remove audio from a clip entirely, right-click it and select Detach Audio. The sound becomes a separate audio clip on the timeline that you can delete, move, or adjust independently. This is useful if you want to keep the video but replace the audio with music or narration.

If you are recording a voiceover — narration or commentary — you can record it directly in iMovie. Click the microphone icon in the toolbar, select your input device, and click the record button. Speak into your Mac's microphone or an external one. When you stop, iMovie adds the recording as an audio clip on the timeline.

Exporting your finished movie

When your timeline is complete, you are ready to export. Go to File > Share, then select File. A dialog opens with export options. Choose a resolution: 1080p is standard for most uses and uploads, 4K if your original video was 4K and you want the highest quality, 720p if you need a smaller file size.

Name your file and choose where to save it. iMovie will export it as an MP4 file, which plays on any device and uploads to YouTube, Vimeo, social media, or email. The export takes a few minutes depending on your movie's length and your Mac's speed. Do not close iMovie or unplug your computer while it is exporting.

Once the export finishes, you have a standalone video file. You can delete the iMovie project if you want to free up space, or keep it in case you need to make changes later. The project file and the exported video are separate — editing the project does not change the exported file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit video on my iPad or iPhone with iMovie?

Yes. iMovie on iPad and iPhone works the same way as the Mac version, though the smaller screen makes trimming and precise edits harder. The iPad version is more usable than the iPhone version. If you are editing on a phone, consider transferring the project to a Mac or iPad to finish it.

What if iMovie crashes or I lose my project?

iMovie saves your project automatically as you work. If the app crashes, reopen it and your project will be there. If you accidentally delete a project, check the Trash on your Mac — you may be able to restore it. Always export a finished video as a file before deleting the project, so you have a backup.

How do I add subtitles or captions?

iMovie does not have built-in captioning. You can add text overlays using the Titles feature, but they will not be searchable or accessible captions. For proper captions, export your video and use a free tool like Kapwing or Rev to add them afterward, or use a more advanced editor like DaVinci Resolve.

Can I edit 4K video in iMovie?

Yes, but it requires a newer Mac with enough processing power. If your Mac is older or has limited RAM, iMovie may slow down or drop frames during playback. Try editing at a lower resolution (1080p) and exporting at 4K if you need the final quality without the editing lag.

What video formats does iMovie accept?

iMovie accepts MP4, MOV, M4V, AVI, and most other common formats. If you have a file that will not import, try converting it to MP4 using a free tool like HandBrake, then import the converted version into iMovie.