The fastest way depends on what device you're using

You can slow down a video on Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android without buying anything or learning complicated software. The method changes based on what you have: Windows comes with a built-in player that does this, Mac has one too, iPhones use the Photos app, and Android phones use Google Photos or your phone's default video player. Each one takes about 30 seconds once you open the right app.

The speed you can slow to also varies. Most built-in players let you go down to 0.5x speed (half the original speed), which is useful for watching tutorials, dance moves, or sports replays. Some let you go slower, down to 0.25x. If you need something slower than that, or if you want to save the slowed-down video as a new file, you'll need a dedicated video editor — but that's a separate step most people don't need.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Media Player and Mac's QuickTime both have built-in slow-motion controls you access while the video is playing.
  • On iPhone, open the video in the Photos app, tap Edit, and use the speed slider at the bottom of the screen.
  • Android phones can slow videos in Google Photos or in your default video player, though the exact steps depend on your phone model.
  • Slowing a video to 0.5x speed (half speed) works for most purposes; going slower than 0.25x usually requires a video editor.
  • Playing a video in slow motion is different from saving a new slow-motion file — the built-in methods only slow playback, not the original file.

How to slow down a video on Windows

Open the video in Windows Media Player (the app that comes with Windows). Right-click anywhere on the video while it's playing, or look for a menu icon (three dots or lines) in the player controls. You'll see an option called "Playback speed" or just "Speed." Click it and choose from the list — usually 0.5x, 0.75x, 1x (normal), 1.25x, and 1.5x.

If you don't see this menu, you may be using a different player. Windows 10 and 11 include Media Player with these controls built in. If you're using an older version or a third-party player like VLC, the steps are slightly different. VLC has a Playback menu at the top where you can adjust speed the same way.

The slowed-down playback only affects what you see right now — it doesn't change the original video file. Once you close the player or play a different video, the speed goes back to normal.

How to slow down a video on Mac

Open the video in QuickTime Player (search for it in Spotlight or find it in Applications > Utilities). Once the video is playing, click the forward-arrow icon in the player controls at the bottom, or go to the View menu and select "Playback Speed." A menu will pop up with speed options: usually 0.5x, 0.75x, 1x, 1.25x, and 1.5x. Select the speed you want.

If the video opens in a different app by default (like Photos or a web browser), you can still right-click the file, choose "Open With," and select QuickTime Player. This gives you access to the speed controls.

Like Windows, this only changes what you see while playing — the original file stays unchanged.

How to slow down a video on iPhone

Open the Photos app and find the video you want to slow down. Tap the video to play it, then tap "Edit" in the top right corner. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a slider with a speed icon (it looks like a speedometer or gauge). Drag the slider to the left to slow the video down. You can go as slow as 0.5x speed.

Once you've set the speed you want, tap "Done" at the top right. Your phone will ask if you want to save the changes. Tap "Save Video" to create a new version of the video at that slower speed. The original stays on your phone unchanged, and the new slow-motion version appears in your Photos library.

This method actually saves a new file, so you can share the slowed-down version or keep it separate from the original.

How to slow down a video on Android

The steps depend on your phone model and which app you use. The easiest method is Google Photos, which works on most Android phones. Open Google Photos, find the video, and tap it to play it. Look for a menu icon (three dots) and tap it. You should see a "Speed" or "Playback speed" option. Tap it and choose your speed — usually 0.5x, 0.75x, 1x, 1.25x, or 1.5x.

If Google Photos doesn't have this option on your phone, try your phone's default video player (often called Gallery, Videos, or just the name of your phone brand). Open the video there and look for a menu icon in the player controls. The speed option is usually in a three-dot menu or in the player settings.

Some Android phones let you save the slowed-down version as a new file, while others only let you slow playback. Check the menu after you set the speed — if there's a "Save" or "Export" option, you can create a new file. If not, the slow-motion only works while you're watching it in that app.

When you need a video editor instead

The built-in methods work for watching videos slower, but they have limits. If you want to slow a video down to less than 0.25x speed, or if you need to save the slowed-down version and your phone doesn't offer that option, you'll need a video editor.

Free options include DaVinci Resolve (Windows and Mac), which is powerful but takes time to learn. Simpler choices are iMovie (Mac and iPhone), which has a speed slider in the editing tools, or CapCut (Android and iPhone), which is designed for quick edits and has straightforward speed controls. These programs let you slow video to almost any speed and save the result as a new file you can share or store.

For most people watching a tutorial or sports replay, the built-in slow-motion in your player is enough. Use an editor only if you need something the built-in tools can't do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I slow down a video that's playing on YouTube or another website?

Yes. YouTube has a built-in speed control — click the settings icon (gear) while the video plays and select "Playback speed." Most web browsers also let you right-click a video and choose playback speed options. The exact steps depend on your browser and the website, but the feature is usually in a menu or settings icon on the video player itself.

Will slowing down a video make it look blurry or pixelated?

No. Slowing playback doesn't change the video quality — it just plays each frame for longer. The video will look the same, just slower. If you're saving a new slowed-down file with a video editor, the quality depends on the export settings you choose, but the default is usually the same as the original.

What's the difference between slowing playback and creating a slow-motion file?

Slowing playback means you're just watching it slower in your player — the original file doesn't change. Creating a slow-motion file means you're making a new video file that is permanently slower. Most built-in players only do playback. iPhone Photos and some video editors let you save a new slow-motion file.

Can I slow down only part of a video?

The built-in players slow the entire video. To slow only a section, you need a video editor like iMovie, CapCut, or DaVinci Resolve. These let you split the video into parts, slow specific sections, and save the result as a new file.

Why does my video player not have a speed option?

Older players or some third-party apps don't include this feature. Try opening the video in a different app — Windows Media Player on Windows, QuickTime on Mac, Photos on iPhone, or Google Photos on Android. If you're watching on a website, try a different browser or check the video player's settings menu.