You can edit videos directly in the Photos app using built-in tools

iPhone comes with video editing built into the Photos app — you do not need to download anything. Open Photos, find the video you recorded, tap Edit, and you can trim the length, rotate it, adjust colors, add filters, and change the audio volume. The edits save as a new version of your video, leaving the original untouched. For most people, this is enough to cut out the boring parts and share the video the same day you filmed it.

If you need more control — multiple clips, text overlays, transitions between scenes — the iPhone also comes with iMovie, which is free to download from the App Store. iMovie works like a simplified version of video editing software on a computer: you arrange clips in order, add titles and music, and export the finished video. The choice between Photos and iMovie depends on how much you want to change and how much time you have.

Key Takeaways

  • The Photos app lets you trim, rotate, adjust colors, and change volume on any video without downloading anything.
  • iMovie, which is free from the App Store, lets you combine multiple clips, add text, transitions, and background music.
  • Edits in Photos create a new copy of your video, so your original stays unchanged.
  • Both tools work on any recent iPhone model and save your finished video to your camera roll.

Editing a video in the Photos app

Open the Photos app and find the video you want to edit. Tap the video to open it full-screen, then tap Edit in the top right corner. You will see a timeline at the bottom showing the full length of your video as a series of frames.

To trim the video, drag the left or right edge of the timeline inward to remove the beginning or end. The yellow handles show what will be kept. Tap Done to save the trimmed version. If you want to undo, tap Revert instead, and the original video stays in your Photos app untouched.

While in Edit mode, you can also tap the three sliders icon (top left) to adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation. Tap the filter icon (also top left) to apply a preset look like black and white or warm tones. Tap the volume icon to turn the audio up or down, or mute it completely. Each change applies to the whole video.

When to use iMovie instead

iMovie is the right choice if you want to combine multiple videos or photos into one story, add text that appears at certain moments, or include transitions (like fades or wipes) between clips. Download iMovie free from the App Store, open it, and tap the plus icon to start a new project.

In iMovie, you add clips one at a time by tapping the plus icon and choosing from your camera roll. Drag them into the order you want. Tap between two clips to add a transition. Tap a clip to adjust its length, add text, or change the volume. Tap the music note to add background music from your library or iMovie's built-in collection. When you are done, tap Done, then Share to save the video back to your camera roll or send it directly to Messages, Mail, or social media.

iMovie takes longer to learn than Photos, but it gives you much more control over how the final video looks and feels. If you are making a birthday video, a travel montage, or anything with multiple scenes, iMovie is worth the time.

Exporting and sharing your edited video

After you finish editing in Photos or iMovie, the video is automatically saved to your camera roll. You can then open it in Messages, Mail, or any social media app and share it from there. The video file size depends on the length and quality — a one-minute video is usually 50 to 200 MB, which is small enough to text or email on most connections.

If you want to save the video in a specific format or resolution, or if you want to upload it to a website that needs a particular file type, you may need a third-party app. But for sharing on social media, texting, or storing on your phone, the built-in export from Photos or iMovie works fine.

Editing video on older iPhone models

The Photos app editing tools work on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later, which includes iPhone 6S and newer. iMovie works on iPhone 6S and newer as well. If you have an older phone, you can still download iMovie from the App Store, but some features may not be available. Check the App Store listing to see the minimum iOS version required.

If your phone is too old to run iMovie, the Photos app trimming and color adjustment tools should still work. For more advanced editing on an older device, you would need to transfer the video to a computer or use a third-party app designed for older iOS versions.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is editing the original video and then realizing you wanted to keep the part you cut out. Always check your edit before tapping Done. If you make a mistake, tap Revert immediately — once you close the edit screen, you can still undo by going to the video, tapping Edit again, and tapping Revert to Original.

Another mistake is not checking the audio before you share. If you muted the video in Photos or iMovie, the shared version will have no sound. Play it back once before sending it to someone else. In iMovie, if you add background music, make sure it is not too loud compared to the original audio — you can adjust the volume of each track separately by tapping it.

Finally, do not assume your edited video will look the same on someone else's phone. Video quality depends on the device, screen size, and internet connection. A video that looks sharp on your iPhone may look compressed when someone watches it on a smaller screen or over a slow connection. This is normal and not something you can control during editing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a video that someone else sent me?

Yes. Save the video to your camera roll first by opening it in Messages or Mail, then tapping and holding until a menu appears. Tap Save. Once it is in your Photos app, you can edit it the same way you would edit your own video.

What happens to the original video when I edit it in Photos?

The original stays in your camera roll unchanged. When you tap Done after editing, iPhone creates a new copy with your changes. You can see both versions in Photos — the original and the edited one. If you want to delete the original to save space, you can do that separately.

Can I add music from Spotify or Apple Music to my video?

iMovie can use music from your iPhone's library, but not directly from streaming apps like Spotify or Apple Music. You can download a song from Apple Music to your library, then use it in iMovie. For Spotify, you would need to download the song file separately or use a third-party app.

How long does it take to edit a video in iMovie?

A simple trim in Photos takes seconds. Combining three or four clips with transitions and music in iMovie usually takes 10 to 20 minutes if you know what you are doing. The first time you use iMovie, add another 10 to 15 minutes to learn where the buttons are.

Can I edit 4K video on my iPhone?

Yes, if your iPhone can record 4K video, it can edit it in Photos and iMovie. The editing process is the same, but the file size will be much larger — a one-minute 4K video can be 500 MB or more. Make sure you have enough storage space before you start editing.