iMovie is free video editing software that comes with every Mac and iPad, and it handles basic cuts, transitions, and color adjustments without requiring you to buy anything or learn professional software

iMovie is the video editor Apple includes on macOS and iPadOS devices. You do not need to read it — it is already on your Mac, iPad, or iPhone if you bought it after 2011. The interface is designed for people who have never edited video before: you drag clips into a timeline, trim them by dragging their edges, and add transitions or effects by clicking buttons. It handles the technical work of converting between video formats and exporting to different sizes, which means you can focus on the actual editing instead of troubleshooting settings.

The trade-off is that iMovie does less than professional software like Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve. It cannot layer multiple video tracks on top of each other, does not have advanced color grading tools, and cannot handle very long projects smoothly on older devices. For a 5- to 20-minute video with straightforward cuts, transitions, and basic color correction, iMovie is enough. For anything more complex, you will hit its limits.

Key Takeaways

  • iMovie is free and already installed on Mac and iPad, so you can start editing when ready without purchasing software or learning a new interface.
  • You import video clips, drag them into the timeline in the order you want, and trim them by dragging the edges of each clip to the frame where you want it to start or stop.
  • Transitions, music, and text overlays are added by clicking buttons in the toolbar and dragging them onto the timeline between clips or over them.
  • iMovie cannot layer multiple video or audio tracks, so you cannot have two videos playing at the same time or add background music while keeping dialogue clear without using workarounds.
  • Export your finished video by clicking File > Share, then choosing the size and format you need — YouTube, email, or your device storage are the most common options.

Starting a new project and importing your video clips

Open iMovie on your Mac or iPad. On Mac, it is in Applications > iMovie. On iPad, tap the iMovie icon on your home screen. Click or tap the plus icon or "Create New" to start a project. iMovie will ask you to choose between Movie (a standard video with a timeline) and Trailer (a template with music and effects already built in). Choose Movie for editing raw footage.

Once you are in the editor, click the import button — on Mac it is a camera icon in the top toolbar, on iPad it is a plus sign. Navigate to the folder where your video files are stored. iMovie accepts MP4, MOV, and most common video formats. Select the clips you want to edit and click Import. iMovie will copy them into its library, which takes time depending on file size. Do not close the program while this happens.

After import, your clips appear in the library panel on the left side of the screen (Mac) or at the bottom (iPad). You can now drag them into the timeline — the horizontal strip in the center where your edited video takes shape. The order you drag them in is the order they will play.

Trimming clips and arranging them in the timeline

Once a clip is in the timeline, you can trim it to remove unwanted sections. Move your cursor to either edge of the clip in the timeline until you see a resize arrow. Drag that edge inward to the frame where you want the clip to start or stop. The preview window above the timeline shows you exactly which frame you are on, so you can trim to the exact moment you want. This is how you cut out pauses, mistakes, or dead air.

To rearrange clips, click and drag them left or right in the timeline. To delete a clip entirely, click it and press Delete. If you make a mistake, press Command+Z (Mac) or use the Edit menu to undo. iMovie keeps your original files untouched — it only changes what you see in the timeline, so you can always start over.

If you need to split a clip in the middle — for example, to insert another clip between two parts of the same shot — click the clip to select it, then click the scissors icon in the toolbar. This cuts the clip at the playhead (the vertical line showing where you are in the timeline). You can now move the second half to a different position.

Adding transitions, music, and text

Transitions are the effects that play between two clips — fades, wipes, or dissolves. To add one, click the Transitions button in the toolbar. A panel opens showing available transitions. Drag a transition onto the line between two clips in the timeline. iMovie will preview it in the window above. Most transitions last about half a second by default. To change the length, double-click the transition and drag the duration slider.

To add music, click the Music and Sound Effects button. You can use songs from your device, from Apple's royalty-free library, or from GarageBand if you have it. Drag the song onto the timeline below your video clips. The audio will play alongside your video. If the music is too loud or too quiet compared to your dialogue, click the audio clip and use the volume slider to adjust it. You cannot have multiple audio tracks playing at different volumes in iMovie — only one audio track at a time — so if you need background music and clear dialogue, you will need to mix them in a different tool or record them together.

To add text, click the Text button. Choose a text style and drag it onto the timeline over the clip where you want it to appear. Double-click the text box to type your words. You can change the font, size, and color by clicking the style options. Text stays on screen for as long as the clip it is on, unless you trim it separately.

Adjusting color, brightness, and audio levels

iMovie has basic color tools built in. Click a clip in the timeline, then click the Adjust button (looks like a slider icon). A panel opens with controls for color, saturation, brightness, and contrast. Drag the sliders to change how the clip looks. These changes explore to the whole clip — you cannot adjust color on just part of a clip. If you need more control, you will need professional software.

For audio, click an audio clip or the audio portion of a video clip. The Adjust panel shows volume and audio effects. Drag the volume slider to make it louder or quieter. You can also add fade-in and fade-out effects so the audio gradually gets louder or quieter instead of starting and stopping abruptly. This is useful for background music so it does not jar the viewer.

Exporting your finished video

When your edit is complete, save it first by clicking File > Save (Mac) or using the menu on iPad. Give your project a name. This saves your editable version so you can come back and change it later. Then export the final video by clicking File > Share. A menu appears with options: YouTube, Facebook, Email, AirDrop, or File. Choose File if you want to save it to your computer or cloud storage. iMovie will ask what size and quality you want. For YouTube or sharing online, choose 1080p. For email or messaging, choose 480p to keep the file smaller. For archiving, choose 4K if your original video was 4K.

iMovie will process the video, which can take several minutes depending on length and your device speed. Do not close the program or put your device to sleep while this happens. When it finishes, you will see a save dialog. Choose where to save the file and click Save. Your video is now ready to upload, email, or share however you want.

When iMovie is not enough for your project

iMovie works well for vlogs, straightforward tutorials, social media clips, and family videos. It struggles with projects that need multiple video layers (like picture-in-picture or side-by-side videos), precise audio mixing, or advanced color grading. If you are making a podcast with video, a music video, or anything with complex layering, you will hit iMovie's limits quickly.

DaVinci Resolve is free and handles multiple video and audio tracks, advanced color work, and longer timelines. It is harder to learn than iMovie but much more powerful. Final Cut Pro costs $300 one time and is designed for professional video work. Premiere Pro is a subscription service that works on both Mac and Windows. Start with iMovie, and if you find yourself fighting the software to do something, that is a sign you need a different tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit videos on my iPhone with iMovie?

Yes. iMovie on iPhone works the same way as iPad — you import clips, drag them into a timeline, and trim them. The screen is smaller, so it is harder to see details, but it works for quick edits. For longer projects or detailed work, iPad or Mac is easier.

What video formats does iMovie accept?

iMovie accepts MP4, MOV, M4V, and most formats that came from a phone camera or standard video software. If you have a file in an unusual format and iMovie will not import it, you can convert it using free tools like HandBrake before bringing it into iMovie.

Can I add background music without losing my dialogue?

iMovie only has one audio track, so you cannot layer music and dialogue separately. You can add music and lower its volume, but you cannot make it fade out when someone talks. For that level of control, use DaVinci Resolve or another multi-track editor.

How do I undo a change I made several steps ago?

Press Command+Z repeatedly to undo changes one at a time, or click Edit > Undo History to see all your recent changes and jump back to any point. iMovie keeps about 20 levels of undo, so you can go back pretty far.

What resolution should I export in?

Export in 1080p for YouTube, social media, or sharing online. Use 480p for email or messaging to keep file size small. Use 4K only if your original video was shot in 4K and you want to preserve that quality for archiving.