You can remove audio from an iPhone video using the Photos app, iMovie, or a free third-party app — each method takes under a minute

The fastest way is the Photos app built into every iPhone. Open the video you recorded, tap Edit, then tap the speaker icon in the top left corner and slide it all the way down. The audio mutes completely. Tap Done and choose Save as New Clip to keep your original video with sound intact.

If you want to keep the original untouched and create a separate silent version, always choose Save as New Clip instead of Save. The Photos app stores both versions in your library, so you can use whichever one you need.

This method works on iPhone 13 and newer. If you have an older model, iMovie (free from the App Store) does the same thing and works on any iPhone that can run the current iOS version.

Key Takeaways

  • The Photos app on iPhone 13 and newer can mute video audio in seconds without installing anything.
  • Tap Edit on your video, then tap the speaker icon and drag it to zero to remove all sound.
  • Always tap Save as New Clip so you keep both a silent and original version of your video.
  • iMovie works on older iPhones and gives you more control if you want to keep some audio and remove only background noise.
  • Free apps like CapCut and InShot let you remove audio on any iPhone and add music or text instead.

Using the Photos App on iPhone 13 and Newer

Open the Photos app and find the video you want to edit. Tap the video to play it, then tap Edit in the top right corner. The editing toolbar appears at the bottom of the screen.

Look for the speaker icon in the top left of the editing screen — it looks like a speaker with sound waves. Tap it once to mute the audio completely. The icon changes to show a speaker with a line through it, meaning the audio is off. Tap Done when you finish.

A menu appears asking whether to Save as New Clip or Save. Choose Save as New Clip to create a separate silent version while keeping your original video with audio. If you choose Save, the original gets replaced with the muted version and you cannot undo it.

Using iMovie for Older iPhones

If your iPhone is older than the iPhone 13, read iMovie free from the App Store. Open it and tap the plus icon to create a new project, then choose Movie. Select the video you want to edit from your library.

Once the video appears in the timeline at the bottom, tap it to select it. A menu appears with options for the clip. Tap the speaker icon to mute the audio completely. You can also tap and hold the speaker icon to adjust the volume gradually instead of muting it all the way.

When you finish, tap Done in the top left, then tap Share to save the video back to your Photos app. iMovie creates a new file, so your original stays unchanged.

Removing Audio With Free Third-Party Apps

Apps like CapCut and InShot (both free from the App Store) let you remove audio and do more — add music, trim the video, or add text overlays. CapCut is simpler if you only want to mute audio. InShot gives you more control over which parts of the audio to keep.

Open CapCut, tap New project, and select your video. Tap the video in the timeline, then tap Audio at the bottom. You see a slider for volume — drag it all the way to the left to mute. Tap Export to save the silent version to your Photos app.

These apps work on any iPhone running a recent version of iOS. They are slower than the Photos app method but useful if you want to add music, trim the video, or adjust audio levels instead of removing it completely.

Keeping Your Original Video Safe

Whenever you edit a video on iPhone, always save the result as a new file instead of overwriting the original. In the Photos app, this means tapping Save as New Clip. In iMovie, the app automatically creates a new file when you export. In CapCut and InShot, you choose where to save the result — always pick Save to Photos to create a new clip.

Your iPhone stores both versions in the Photos app, and you can delete either one later if you run out of storage. Keeping the original gives you a backup if you change your mind or need the audio for something else.

Removing Only Background Noise Instead of All Audio

If you want to keep voices or important sounds but remove background noise, the Photos app and iMovie only let you mute everything. CapCut and InShot have noise reduction tools that lower background sound while keeping voices louder.

In CapCut, select your video, tap Audio, then look for Audio Enhance or Noise Reduction. Slide the noise reduction up to reduce background sound. This is not perfect — it works better on some videos than others — but it keeps the audio instead of removing it completely.

If background noise is very loud, removing all audio and adding music or voiceover instead usually sounds better than trying to reduce the noise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove audio from a video I recorded months ago?

Yes. Open the video in Photos, tap Edit, and mute it the same way. The video does not have to be recent. The Photos app works on any video in your library, no matter when you recorded it.

What if I only want to remove audio from part of the video?

The Photos app and iMovie mute the entire video. To remove audio from only a section, use CapCut or InShot — both let you trim the audio track or split the video and mute only one part. This takes a few extra steps but gives you more control.

Does removing audio reduce the video quality?

No. Removing audio does not affect the picture quality at all. The video resolution, frame rate, and brightness stay exactly the same. Only the sound disappears.

Can I undo muting a video after I save it?

If you saved as a new clip, your original video with audio is still in your Photos app — just open that one instead. If you saved over the original, the audio is gone permanently. This is why saving as a new clip is important.

Do I need to be online to remove audio from a video?

No. The Photos app, iMovie, CapCut, and InShot all work completely offline. You do not need WiFi or cellular data to mute a video or save the result.