How to crop a video on iPhone: a easy guide for beginners

In today's digital age, video editing has become more important than ever, especially with the rise of social media. Whether you're an aspiring YouTuber...

In today's digital age, video editing has become more important than ever, especially with the rise of social media. Whether you're an aspiring YouTuber or just someone who loves capturing moments, knowing how to crop videos is a basic but essential skill. Lucky for you, if you own an iPhone, you've got a powerful video editor right in your pocket. In this easy-to-read tutorial, we'll walk you through how to crop a video on your iPhone using different methods and tools.

Why you might want to crop a video

Before we dive into the "how," let's talk about the "why." Cropping a video can serve multiple purposes. Maybe you want to zoom in on a specific subject, remove unwanted elements from the edges, or perhaps you need to resize your iPhone video to meet the aspect ratio requirements of different social media platforms. Whatever the reason, cropping is a quick fix that can make a big difference in how your video is received.

What you'll need to get started

To crop videos on your iPhone, you don't need much:

• An iPhone running iOS 13 or later (most video editing features are available on iOS 13 and above)
• The video you want to crop, saved in your camera roll
• Optional: iMovie app or a third-party app for more advanced features

Using the photos app to crop your video

One of the easiest ways to crop a video on your iPhone is by using the built-in Photos app. This app comes pre-installed on all iOS devices, including iPads and even some Mac computers.

Adjusting the frame

1. Open the Photos app and select the video you want to crop.
2. Tap Edit in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Look for the crop icon, usually a square with arrows, at the bottom of the screen.
4. Drag the corners or sides to adjust the frame around the part of the video you want to keep.
5. You can also tap and drag the video to move it within the frame.
6. To preview your changes, tap the play button.

Saving your changes

1. Once you're happy with the new clip, tap "Done" in the bottom-right corner.
2. Your iPhone will save the cropped video, but you can also choose to revert to the original video later if you wish.

Using iMovie for more advanced cropping

For those who want more control over their video editing, Apple's iMovie is a great option. You can download it for free from the App Store.

Selecting the cropping tool

1. Open iMovie and tap "Create Movie" at the bottom.
2. Import your video clips into the new project.
3. Tap on the video in the timeline to select it.
4. Tap the crop tool, usually represented by a square icon.

Customizing the crop

1. In iMovie, you can choose to use preset ratios or manually adjust the frame.
2. You can also split the video into different segments and crop each one differently.
3. Preview your changes by tapping the play button.

Exporting the cropped video

1. Once you're satisfied, tap Done in the upper-right corner.
2. Tap the share icon and choose "Save Video."
3. Select the video quality you want, and the cropped video will be saved to your camera roll.

Third-party apps for video cropping

If you're looking for more specialized features, there are plenty of third-party apps available for video editing. Some popular options include InShot, Crop Video, and Adobe Premiere Rush.

Choosing the right app

When choosing a third-party app, consider factors like user reviews, ease of use, and whether the app adds a watermark to your video. Some apps are also available for Android and Windows, offering cross-platform compatibility.

How to import and export videos

1. Download your chosen app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and look for the "New Project" or "Import" option to bring your video into the app.
3. Use the crop feature or crop tool within the app to make your edits.
4. Once done, look for the export or save video option, usually represented by a checkmark.

Common mistakes to avoid

Cropping might seem like a straightforward task, but even seasoned video editors can make mistakes if they're not careful. The pitfalls are numerous, and they can significantly impact the quality of your final product. Let's delve into some of these common errors in more detail.

Aspect ratios and resolutions

One of the most common mistakes people make when cropping videos is ignoring the aspect ratio and resolution. The aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of the video, and it's crucial for how your video will display on various platforms. For instance, YouTube often uses a 16:9 aspect ratio, while Instagram prefers a 1:1 or 4:5 ratio for its feed. If you crop your video without considering these ratios, you might end up with a video that looks stretched or squished when uploaded to social media platforms.

Resolution is another critical factor. If you crop a video too much, you might reduce the resolution to the point where it becomes pixelated or blurry. This is especially true if you're starting with a video file that's already at a lower resolution. Always keep an eye on the resolution indicators in your video editor, whether you're using the Photos app, iMovie, or a third-party crop app. These indicators will usually tell you the resolution of the video as you crop it, helping you avoid going too low.

Moreover, different platforms have different requirements for video files. Some might have a maximum resolution limit, while others might not support certain video file formats. Always check the guidelines of the platform where you intend to upload your video. This will save you from the hassle of having to re-edit and re-upload your video, which can be both time-consuming and frustrating.

Backup before you crop

Another common mistake is diving right into the cropping process without having a backup of the original video. While it's true that most editing tools, including the Photos app and iMovie, offer an option to revert to the original, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Imagine spending hours editing a video, only to realize that you've made an irreversible mistake. If you don't have a backup, you're out of luck.

To avoid this, always save a copy of the original video file before you start making any edits. You can do this by duplicating the video in your camera roll or by saving it to a different folder on your device. If you're using a third-party crop app, make sure to read the app's guidelines on how to save a backup. Some apps automatically overwrite the original video file when you save your changes, so having a backup is crucial.

Backing up your video files is not just good practice for cropping; it's a fundamental step in any video editing process. Whether you're a professional video editor or just someone who likes to make home movies, having a backup ensures that you can always go back to square one if things go awry. It gives you the freedom to experiment with different editing tools and techniques without the fear of ruining your original video.

By being aware of these common mistakes and taking the necessary precautions, you can significantly improve your video editing skills. So the next time you decide to crop a video on your iPhone, keep these tips in mind to ensure that you get the best possible result.

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FAQs

Can I undo a crop?

Absolutely, you can undo a crop in both the Photos app and iMovie, giving you the freedom to experiment without worrying about making irreversible mistakes. In the Photos app, after you've cropped and saved your video, you can simply go back to the video in your camera roll, tap "Edit" in the top-right corner, and then select "Revert" at the bottom. This will restore your video to its original state. Similarly, in iMovie, you can undo your changes by tapping the "Undo" button, usually represented by a backward-curving arrow, or by not saving the changes when you exit the project.

How do I crop a video for Instagram?

Instagram has specific requirements when it comes to video dimensions, primarily using a 1:1 aspect ratio for its main feed. If you're using iMovie, you can easily set this ratio by selecting the "Aspect Ratio" option and choosing 1:1. Many third-party video editing apps also offer preset ratios for social media platforms, including Instagram. Just look for an option like "Crop for Instagram" or "1:1 Aspect Ratio" in the crop feature of the app you're using. This ensures that your video will display correctly and look its best when you upload it to Instagram.

What if I want to add slow motion or other effects?

If you're looking to add more flair to your videos, you're in luck. iMovie offers a plethora of additional editing tools, including the ability to add slow motion, filters, transitions, and even background music. To add slow motion in iMovie, select the portion of the clip you want to slow down, tap the speedometer icon, and adjust the speed. Many third-party video editing apps also offer similar features, so you can get creative with your edits. Just explore the app's interface to find these additional editing tools.

How can I trim videos?

Trimming videos is another fundamental skill in video editing, and it's almost as easy as cropping. In the Photos app, after you tap "Edit," you'll see a timeline at the bottom of the screen representing your video. You'll notice two sliders at each end of this timeline. Drag these sliders to adjust the start and end points of your video. Once you're satisfied, tap "Done" to save your trimmed video. In iMovie, you can achieve the same by selecting the clip in your timeline, tapping the scissors icon to split the clip, and then deleting the portions you don't want. This allows you to focus on the most important parts of your video, making your content more engaging and to the point.