How to Add Music to iMovie on iPhone Like a Pro


Curious about how to add music to iMovie on an iPhone? Tune in as we guide you step-by-step on how to add music like a pro. Elevate your videos effortlessly! Try it now!

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How to Add Music to iMovie on iPhone Like a Pro
CapCut
CapCut2024-01-20
0 min(s)

Not only can the visuals on your screen make a video more interesting, but the background music also plays an important role. Rather than just watching a video on your device, you feel the video through its audio part. The iMovie app on your iPhone makes it easy for you to add music to your videos. It's one of the easiest editing software for content creators if you use an Apple device. But how to add music to iMovie on iPhone, and where do you look for the best tracks?

This article shows how to add music on iMovie with an iPhone. We'll walk you through the step-by-step process of adding music tracks to your video. As part of the article, you'll also discover CapCut, an online video editor that lets you add music to virtually any video.

Table of content

How to select the right music for any video?

Selecting the appropriate music for a video is crucial to creating a compelling and engaging content piece. Here are essential considerations to ensure you choose the right music that complements your video seamlessly.

  • Understand the video theme and tone

Begin by thoroughly understanding the theme and tone of your video. Whether it's a corporate presentation, a vlog, or a promotional video, the music should align with the overall message and mood you want to convey. This understanding sets the foundation for a harmonious blend of visual and auditory elements.

  • Match music genre to video content

Select a music genre that resonates with the content of your video. For example, upbeat and energetic music may suit a travel vlog, while a corporate presentation might benefit from instrumental or ambient tracks. Aligning the genre with the subject matter enhances the viewer's experience and reinforces the intended message.

  • Consideration of emotional impact

Evaluate the emotional impact you want your video to have on the audience. Music has a powerful influence on emotions, so choose a soundtrack that enhances and reinforces the desired emotional response. The right music can intensify the viewer's connection to the content, whether aiming for excitement, nostalgia, or tranquility.

  • Align rhythm and pacing

Ensure the chosen music's rhythm and pacing align with your video's flow. A well-coordinated soundtrack enhances the visual elements, creating a more engaging and immersive experience. The music should complement the video's pacing, avoiding any dissonance that may distract the viewer.

  • Avoid distractions: subtle vs. dominant music

Consider the balance between subtle and dominant music. While the soundtrack should enhance the video, it should be balanced with the spoken narrative and essential sounds. Strive for a harmonious coexistence where the music supports without overshadowing the primary content.

  • Assess copyright and licensing

Before finalizing your music choice, ensure you have copyright permissions and licensing. Legal complications can arise if copyrighted music is used without authorization. Numerous platforms offer royalty-free music that can be legally utilized for various projects, ensuring a hassle-free and compliant experience.

Enhance your videos by adding music in iMovie on your iPhone

iMovie on iPhone provides a user-friendly platform to enhance video content by seamlessly incorporating music. This straightforward process can significantly improve the viewing experience, adding emotional impact and boosting viewer engagement. The application offers a variety of pre-installed soundtracks and allows the import of custom music, catering to individual preferences and ensuring a personalized touch to your videos.

Whether creating vlogs, tutorials, or personal videos, iMovie's music integration feature allows you to add a polished and professional touch to your content effortlessly. Edit and synchronize music tracks easily, even on the go, contributing to a more immersive and enjoyable viewer experience. Elevate the quality of your videos with iMovie's accessible and versatile tools for enhancing audiovisual creations on iPhone.

How do you add music to iMovie on iPhone?

Below are some ways through which you can get answers on how to add music to iMovie on iPhone.

How to add music to iMovie from an iPhone from its soundtrack library?

  1. Launch iMovie and start a project
  2. Begin by downloading and opening iMovie on your iPhone. Open an existing project or start a new one.
  3. Add footage and access the audio options
  4. After importing your footage into iMovie, tap the "+" button. You must then select "Soundtrack" under the "Audio" tab.
  5. 
    Add footage and access the audio options with iMovie
  6. Explore and choose from the soundtrack library
  7. In the soundtrack library, browse through the royalty-free music tracks. Tap on any song to preview it, and select the one that best fits your project.
  8. It is crucial to exercise caution even with royalty-free tracks, as potential copyright issues may arise, especially if your project is destined for platforms like YouTube. Consider copyright implications when selecting music from iMovie's soundtrack library for your creative endeavors.
  9. 
    Explore and choose from the soundtrack library
  10. Finalize by adding the selected music to your project
  11. With the chosen music track in mind, tap the "+" icon to conclude the process. This action is the final integration, seamlessly embedding your selected soundtrack into the project. The addition of music elevates the audiovisual experience.
  12. Add music to iMovie using themes
  13. With iMovie's seven pre-designed themes, experimenting with different options is encouraged before settling on the ideal one for your movie. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to incorporate theme music into your movie:
  14. Launch iMovie and open projects
  15. Commence your iMovie journey by launching the application and navigating to your existing projects. This initial step sets the stage for your creative process within the iMovie interface.
  16. Create a new movie project
  17. Once within iMovie, proceed to create a new movie project. Initiate a fresh canvas where you can compile and edit your video content.
  18. Select your video and create the project
  19. Carefully choose the video clip you wish to work with and seamlessly integrate it into your newly created project. This step forms the foundation of your video-editing endeavor.
  20. Enable theme music and choose a theme
  21. The settings icon can be found at the bottom right corner of your edited video clip. Explore the available themes within the settings and select one that aligns with your creative vision. To toggle the Theme Music button to the "on" position, activate the integrated music within the chosen theme.
  22. 
    Enable theme music and choose a theme
  23. Tap done to save changes

Having made your selections, save the changes by tapping "Done." Your chosen theme and accompanying music are seamlessly incorporated into your project.

Note: Should you be content with the selected theme and music, proceed to the next step. You can revisit the settings to explore alternative options for a different theme.

How to add music to iMovie on iPhone from your favorite artist?

  1. Access my music in iMovie
  2. Initiate the process by accessing the "My Music" option in iMovie. Tap the "My Music" tab to list all your iPhone Music app songs.
  3. 
    Access my music in iMovie
  4. Encounter song unavailability
  5. While exploring your music library within iMovie, you may encounter the issue of song unavailability. A forbidden cloud icon on the left of most songs often indicates this.
  6. Identify DRM-protected songs
  7. Upon attempting to add a song with the forbidden cloud icon, you may receive an error message stating, "Song Unavailable: This song is DRM protected and can't be used by iMovie." Identify the DRM-protected songs contributing to this restriction.
  8. 
    Identify DRM-protected songs
  9. Navigate iMovie's limitations
  10. Recognize iMovie's limitations in handling DRM-protected songs, especially when attempting to add them to your project.
  11. Smart workaround: record the song

To bypass iMovie's constraints, employ a smart workaround by recording the desired song. This workaround allows you to add almost any track to your iMovie project regardless of its source (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, etc.).

Note: This workaround is most suitable for personal projects intended for private viewing. Caution is advised against using copyrighted music in commercial projects, as publicly sharing a video with copyrighted music may result in audio being flagged for copyright infringement.

Limitations of editing music videos on mobile

Below are some key challenges associated with editing music videos on mobile.

  • Limited functionality and features

Editing music videos on mobile devices often has limitations regarding functionality and features. Mobile apps may offer basic editing tools but are usually less expensive than professional desktop software. This restriction can hinder the editor's ability to achieve complex edits, transitions, or effects, limiting the overall creative potential.

  • Screen size and precision

Using mobile devices for editing poses a challenge because of their smaller screens. Fine-tuning details, adjusting timelines, or performing intricate edits becomes more cumbersome on a mobile interface. This limitation may lead to a compromise in the precision and quality of the edited music video.

  • Processing power and performance

Mobile devices, while increasingly powerful, may not match the processing capabilities of dedicated computers. It can result in slower rendering times and potential lags during the editing process, impacting the efficiency and smoothness of the workflow. Resource-intensive tasks like rendering high-definition videos or incorporating complex visual effects may strain the device's performance.

  • Storage constraints

The limited storage capacity of mobile devices can be a significant constraint when working on music video projects. High-resolution video files and additional multimedia elements can quickly consume available storage space. This constraint may force editors to compromise on video quality or frequently transfer files, disrupting the editing workflow.

  • Lack of professional-grade audio editing

Mobile editing apps often need more sophisticated audio editing features in professional desktop software. Achieving precise synchronization between visuals and audio elements, adjusting specific frequencies, or applying advanced audio effects may be challenging or impossible on mobile platforms.

  • Accessibility to external resources

Mobile editing may restrict access to external resources such as additional plugins, graphics, or sound libraries. Compared to desktop environments, where editors can seamlessly integrate various assets, mobile apps may limit the diversity of creative elements incorporated into the music video.

Make your video more musical with CapCut's online video editor

As you observe the limitations of adding music directly on your phone, consider exploring online options for a more versatile approach. CapCut's online video editor emerges as an ideal solution, offering enhanced capabilities to seamlessly elevate your video content with music.

CapCut online video editor

CapCut, the online video editor, provides a dynamic platform to infuse your videos with captivating musical elements. It is seamlessly bridging the gap between creativity and accessibility. You can easily enhance your videos by incorporating diverse musical selections using its intuitive interface.

The tool empowers you to achieve professional-quality results, offering features beyond traditional mobile editing. Whether crafting content for personal enjoyment or aiming for a broader audience, CapCut free video music editor is a versatile and user-friendly tool to make your videos more engaging and musical.


  • Diverse music library

CapCut's online video editor stands out with its extensive music library, catering to various genres. This tool is invaluable for educators crafting engaging instructional content or marketers enhancing promotional materials. For example, an educator creating an online tutorial on geography can choose background music that complements the informative content, making the lesson more engaging.

  • Tailored audio clip options

CapCut online video editor’s flexibility shines through its tailored audio clip options. This feature enables precise customization, which is crucial for offices creating impactful presentations. Consider a corporate office delivering a virtual sales pitch; the tool allows them to choose background music that aligns with the pitch's tone, creating a more compelling experience for potential clients.

  • Individualized sound enhancements

This online editor empowers users with individualized sound enhancements, a boon for marketing professionals crafting polished advertisements. In a marketing context, a team creating a promotional video for a new product can fine-tune the audio, ensuring the product's features are highlighted with an engaging soundtrack.

  • Cross-platform accessibility

CapCut online video editor's cross-platform accessibility adds convenience, enabling seamless video editing across devices. An educator transitioning between a desktop and a tablet can seamlessly continue editing an educational video. This adaptability is valuable when users switch devices based on their workflow.

  • Comprehensive editing tools

The tool provides a comprehensive suite of editing tools catering to diverse user requirements. An office, for instance, can use these tools to add text overlays and transitions to a corporate video, enhancing its visual appeal. The versatility of these tools addresses varied needs across educational, marketing, and corporate scenarios, making it a user-friendly solution for making videos more engaging and musical.

How to add music to a video with CapCut?

    Step
  1. Log in or sign up
  2. Visit the CapCut online video editor’s website and log in if you already have an account. If you are new, sign up using your Gmail, TikTok, Facebook, or mobile credentials.
  3. 
    Log in or sign up
  4. Step
  5. Upload video
  6. Click the "+" icon in the dashboard or select "Upload" in the left toolbar. Your video can be uploaded through your computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, or Myspace, or scan the QR code on your mobile device.
  7. 
    Upload video
  8. Step
  9. Add and customize the music
  10. Enhance your video dynamically by adding music. Utilize the drag-and-drop feature to place preferred music clips from the library onto the editing timeline. Alternatively, click "Audio" in the left toolbar and opt for "Music" to explore diverse musical styles. Achieve the desired audio experience by clicking on the music segment in the timeline. With this tool, you can remove noise from audio online for free. Adjust settings on the right toolbar, including volume, speed, noise reduction, and fade-in/fade-out duration, ensuring a tailored soundtrack.
  11. CapCut online video editor goes beyond basic editing, offering many features such as massive media assets ranging from templates and photos to effects and filters. Enjoy the convenience of team collaboration and cloud storage, making it easy to work on projects collectively. Additionally, capitalize on the simplicity of one-click share, streamlining the process of distributing your finalized video.
  12. 
    Add and customize the music
  13. Step
  14. Export or share

Set export parameters, including file name, resolution, format, and quality. Download or share the edited video on social media, such as TikTok. The tool provides a comprehensive and user-friendly platform for enhancing your videos with music and editing features.


Export or share

Conclusion

So, understanding how to add music to iMovie on iPhone is crucial for enhancing your videos. Whether you choose from iMovie's library, incorporate theme music, or utilize CapCut's online editor, the key is to select music that aligns with your video's theme and tone. We've highlighted considerations for wise music choices, addressed limitations, and provided a workaround for DRM-protected songs. Armed with these insights, you can confidently infuse your videos with a fitting soundtrack, making them more engaging for your audience. Elevate your content creation with these practical steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I add music to iMovie on iPhone directly?
  2. Music can be easily added to iMovie on the iPhone by accessing the soundtrack library within the iMovie app. Tap on the "+" button, choose the "Audio" tab, and select "Soundtrack" to explore and add music to your project. For online alternatives with added features, consider using CapCut online video editor.
  3. Is there a limit to the number of music tracks in iMovie on iPhone?
  4. iMovie on iPhone does not impose a specific limit on the number of music tracks you can add. You can incorporate multiple music tracks to enhance your project if it fits your storage constraints. For a broader range of creative options and online capabilities, you may explore CapCut online video editor.
  5. How do you add music to iMovie on iPhone?

Add music in iMovie on iPhone, launch the app, start a project, add footage, and access the audio options. Explore and select music from the soundtrack library, then finalize by tapping the "+" icon to add the chosen track to your project. If you want an online platform with additional features, try CapCut online video editor for a seamless music editing experience.

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