How to Make Vertical Videos in iMovie in Simple Steps

Ever scrolled through your favorite social media feeds and noticed how vertical videos seem to capture your attention more than anything else? Whether it's a quick TikTok dance, a stunning Instagram story, or a Snapchat update, vertical videos are the stars of the mobile digital age. However, not everyone knows how to make them, especially when using a tool like iMovie.

In this article, you'll learn how to make iMovie vertical videos that stand out.

iMovie: Effortless video resizing solution for Apple devices

iMovie stands out as the perfect tool for Apple users looking to resize and edit their videos. This built-in video editing software offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of resizing videos to fit various formats and platforms. Its intuitive controls allow even beginners to quickly learn how to adjust video dimensions and crop frames and apply enhancements with a few taps or clicks.

iMovie video resizing features

As we talk about iMovie's capabilities, let's focus on one of its standout features: video resizing. Here's how iMovie simplifies video resizing for the perfect viewer experience.

• Aspect ratio adjustment
• iMovie provides smooth aspect ratio adjustments, allowing you to switch between different screen formats like 16:9 for widescreen TVs, 4:3 for older monitors, and 1:1 for Instagram posts without distorting video quality. This feature is valuable when you need your content to fit various viewing platforms.
• Crop and fit options
• With iMovie's crop and fit tools, users can focus attention on the most important parts of their videos. The software allows real-time previews, so you see exactly how your adjustments affect the final output.
• Zoom and pan effects
• iMovie's zoom and pan features bring cinematic quality to videos, allowing smooth, controlled movements within the frame. Whether subtly zooming in on a subject to create intimacy or panning across a landscape to reveal the context, these effects can enhance storytelling.
• Custom resolutions
• For more control over their video output, iMovie offers the ability to set custom resolutions. This is particularly helpful for creating content that doesn't conform to standard sizes, such as bespoke digital signage or unique social media graphics.
• Easy drag-and-drop
• This drag-and-drop feature allows users to quickly import video clips, integrate them into the timeline, and adjust their placement, length, and transition effects without any hassle.

How to make an iMovie portrait using app preview mode on Mac

On a Mac, iMovie's App Preview mode allows you to create videos formatted to showcase mobile apps on the App Store. It ensures your videos meet the App Store's requirements, making it easier to produce professional-looking content for smartphones and tablets.

Here's how to make vertical video in iMovie on Mac using app preview mode:

Step
1. Start a new project
2. Launch iMovie on your Mac, and choose "File" > "New App Preview" from the upper menu to start a new project designed for portrait videos.
Step
3. Import your videos
4. Drag and drop your vertical videos into the editing timeline to start creating your content.
Step
5. Edit your video
6. Enhance your video using the available editing tools. To add text, select "Titles" from the top menu and choose a style that suits your project. You can also cut, trim, and adjust your footage as needed to refine your video.
Step
7. Adjust the crop
8. Click on the video in the timeline, then go to the crop tool and select "Fit" or "Crop to Fill" to make sure the video fills the portrait frame.
Step
9. Export your video
10. Once you're satisfied with your video, click the "Share" button in the top right corner. Choose "App Preview" to export your project as a 1080 x 1920 HD MP4 file, or select "Export File" for more format options.
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How to make an iMovie vertical by rotating, exporting and rotating it

Transforming horizontal videos into vertical formats is straightforward with iMovie, using a simple yet effective rotate-export-rotate method. This approach allows you to adapt your footage to better suit mobile viewing, enhancing its presentation without sacrificing video quality.

Here is how to create a vertical video in iMovie by rotating, exporting, and rotating it:

Step
1. Import your video
2. Open iMovie on your Mac and initiate a new project. Then, upload your videos to the editing timeline.
Step
3. Select and rotate the videos
4. Select all the videos in the timeline by clicking on one and then holding the Command key to select the rest. Click the "Crop" icon in the preview section and use the rotate button to rotate the videos. Confirm the rotation by clicking the blue tick icon.
Step
5. Make additional edits (Optional)
6. If desired, trim the clips and add other enhancements like music, sound effects, or voiceovers. Avoid adding text within iMovie, as it won't rotate correctly with the video.
Step
7. Export the video
8. Once editing is complete, click the "Share" icon and export the video file. Save it to a location on your Mac.
Step
9. Final rotation and save
10. After exporting, use a video player like QuickTime to rotate the video back to its original vertical orientation. Save the file, and you’ll have a vertical video ready for sharing.
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How to make vertical videos in iMovie using an iPhone

Creating vertical videos on your iPhone using iMovie is simpler than you might think and ideal for content that seamlessly fits social media platforms. iMovie offers an easy way to edit and optimize your videos in portrait mode directly from your device, letting you make the most of its intuitive tools while ensuring your videos are perfectly suited for mobile viewing.

Here is how to make a video vertical in iMovie using an iPhone:

Step
1. Start a new project in iMovie
2. Open iMovie on your iPhone, tap the plus sign to create a new movie and import the vertical videos you want to edit.
Step
3. Adjust the video to a vertical format
4. Notice that your video may appear zoomed in or cropped. To fix this, tap the "Pinch to Zoom" icon in the upper right corner, then pinch the screen to adjust the video to its original vertical aspect ratio.
Step
5. Edit your video
6. With the video now in vertical format, proceed with your edits—add titles, transitions, or other effects as needed. Once done, tap "Done" and then click on the "Share" button to save your video. Note that iMovie may still add black bars to the sides of your video.
Step
7. Remove black bars in photos app
8. To remove the black bars, install the Photos app. Open this app, select the iMovie exported video, and tap "Edit" in the upper right corner. In the cropping section, adjust the frame to remove the black bars and save your video in a true vertical format that is ready for sharing.
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How to edit vertical video in iMovie using iPad

Editing vertical videos in iMovie on an iPad is a convenient way to create mobile-friendly content with ease. The iPad’s larger screen and iMovie’s user-friendly interface make it simple to adjust and enhance your vertical videos.

Here is how to make iMovie vertical on iPad:

Step
1. Import your video
2. Open iMovie and tap the "+" icon in the top right corner. Select "Videos" and choose the vertical video you want to edit.
Step
3. Rotate the video
4. Once the video is imported, tap on it in the timeline. You'll see a small rotate icon at the bottom of the video. Tap on it and rotate the video to the desired orientation.
Step
5. Add effects and transitions
6. Tap the "Effects" or "Transitions" button at the bottom of the screen. You can add various effects like filters, Ken Burns effects and transitions to enhance your video.
Step
7. Add text and audio
8. Tap the "Text" or "Audio" button to add titles, captions, or background music to your video. You have the option to select from a range of fonts, styles, and soundtracks to customize your video.
Step
9. Export your video
10. Once the video is finalized, tap the "Share" button and select "Save Video." Choose the desired resolution and quality, and your edited video will be saved to your iPad.
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An alternative way to make vertical videos: CapCut desktop

If you're seeking a more intuitive and powerful tool for creating vertical videos, the CapCut desktop video editor is an excellent alternative to traditional editing software like iMovie. Designed with both beginners and professionals in mind, CapCut offers a smooth experience for adjusting aspect ratios, cropping, and enhancing your videos with precision. Its easy-to-use interface and advanced features streamline the creation of polished vertical content that captures attention on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.



Key features

• Adjustable aspect ratios
• CapCut allows you to effortlessly switch between different aspect ratios, such as 9:16 for vertical videos or 1:1 for Instagram posts.
• Accurate video cropping
• With CapCut's precise video cropping tool, you can focus on the most important parts of your video, removing unnecessary elements and framing your content exactly as you envision.
• Automatic video framing
• CapCut’s auto reframing feature automatically adjusts your footage to match the chosen aspect ratio, streamlining the editing process and ensuring your videos maintain a professional appearance on all devices.
• Flexible background fillers
• When resizing videos, CapCut provides a variety of background fillers, from blurred edges to solid colors, allowing you to fill in the gaps creatively while maintaining a cohesive look.
• Compatible with multiple formats
• CapCut accommodates various video formats, allowing you to effortlessly import, edit, and export your projects without any compatibility concerns.

How to create vertical videos by adjusting the ratio with CapCut

If you're new to CapCut, getting started is simple. Just click the button below to download the installer, then follow the on-screen instructions to set up CapCut on your device and start.

Step
1. Import the media
2. Enter the editing interface of CapCut and click "Import" to upload a video from your device.
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Step
4. Change the aspect ratio of the video
5. To convert your video to a vertical format, begin by selecting "Ratio" to change the video canvas from horizontal to vertical. Next, navigate to the "Basic" section and choose "Auto reframe," selecting the 9:16 ratio for an ideal vertical layout. For a full vertical display without any black bars or cropping, you can also use the "Resize" option above the timeline.
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Step
7. Export and share
8. Once you're done, click "Export" in the top right corner. Adjust the quality, frame rate, codec, bit rate, etc., and hit "Export" again to save it to your device. You can also share it on social media platforms such as YouTube or TikTok.
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How to create multiple vertical videos with CapCut

Transform your lengthy videos into engaging vertical content using the advanced AI tool of CapCut. Here’s how you can benefit from this efficient tool:

Step
1. Access and upload
2. Launch CapCut on your PC and find the "Long video to shorts" feature on the main interface. Upload the video you want to convert, setting the stage for a quick transformation.
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Step
4. Set the desired length and create
5. Select a specific part of the video (optional) and adjust the length settings for your new shorts. Ideally, you can go for the "Auto" option and AI will automatically pick, sort, and create engaging segments. Click "Convert," to instantly get four vertical shorts from your full-length video.
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Step
7. Export and Share
8. With your shorts optimized for different vertical screens, you can now export and share them instantly.
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Conclusion

Navigating through the versatile features of iMovie to create vertical videos is easy with this guide on how to make a vertical video in iMovie. As iMovie helps you adjust, crop, and refine your content for mobile viewers, it remains a staple for Apple users. From simple rotations to adjusting aspect ratios and enhancing video quality, iMovie provides various tools to create visually engaging vertical videos.

However, if you're looking for a more straightforward and feature-rich editing experience, consider switching to the CapCut desktop video editor. Its user-friendly interface and advanced editing tools provide the flexibility and efficiency needed for high-quality video production.

FAQs

1. Can you flip a video vertically in iMovie?
2. Yes, iMovie allows you to flip videos, but it is primarily focused on rotation rather than flipping vertically or horizontally. To flip a video vertically in iMovie, you might need to rotate it sideways and then adjust the orientation, which can be somewhat cumbersome. For a simpler and more versatile video editing experience, consider using the CapCut desktop video editor, which provides intuitive tools for effortlessly flipping and rotating videos.
3. How to make vertical videos in iMovie for TikTok?
4. To create vertical videos in iMovie for TikTok, begin by starting a new project and importing your footage. Then, select the clip you want to edit and use the cropping tool to adjust the video to a vertical format (9:16 aspect ratio) to suit platforms like TikTok. If you're looking for more straightforward tools for creating and editing vertical videos, the CapCut desktop video editor is an excellent alternative.
5. How to make portrait videos in iMovie on iPad?
6. To make portrait videos in iMovie on an iPad, begin by starting a new project and importing your landscape-oriented footage. Once imported, use the cropping tool within iMovie to adjust your video to a portrait format, typically a 9:16 aspect ratio. For a more streamlined process to create portrait videos, try the CapCut desktop video editor.