How to Rotate Video on iPhone Using iMovie

Introduction

Everyone knows the feeling of taking a great video on your iPhone only to find out that you were holding your phone in such a way that the video plays back in an orientation you didn’t want. Thankfully, rotating your iPhone video can be done with the iMovie app from Apple, which is free to install on your iPhone if you don’t have it installed already. Examples of all instructions in the steps can be seen in the YouTube video below.

Steps to Rotate Video on iPhone Using iMovie

1. Tap to launch the iMovie app on your iPhone. The Projects screen opens, displaying all of your iMovie projects.
2. Tap “Create Project.” The New Project window appears on the screen. Tap “Movie.” The Moments screen opens, displaying the pictures and videos from your Photos app.
3. Tap to select the photo you want to rotate. A blue check mark appears in the lower right corner of that video. Tap “Create Movie” at the bottom of this screen after the video you want to rotate on your iPhone is selected. The My Movie screen appears, with the video you want to rotate displayed in the editing window at the top of the screen.
4. Place two fingers in a parallel position on the video in the editing window, and then turn them 90 degrees in the direction you want to rotate the video. The video will rotate 90 degrees in the direction you moved your fingers. Repeat this process to get this video in the position you want it.
5. After you’re done moving your video and making any additional edits to it, tap “Done” in the upper left corner of the screen. A preview of how your video will be output appears on the screen. If the preview video looks good, tap the “Export To” icon that appears in the row of icons along the bottom of the screen. A window flies up from the bottom of the screen with options for exporting your video. Tap “Save Video” in the bottom row. Tap to choose the export quality and size in the next menu. An Exporting Movie message appears with a progress bar. After the export is complete, a message appears saying your video was exported to your Photos library.

You can now find your rotated iPhone video as your most recent addition in the Photos app.

5 Reasons to Rotate Video on iPhone Using iMovie

1. Correct Orientation Mistakes

Have you ever captured a video only to find it sideways or upside down? Rotating videos in iMovie corrects this. Whether you accidentally held your phone incorrectly or the auto-rotate feature failed, iMovie solves it. With a simple twist of a dial in the app, your video shifts back to the intended orientation. This ensures your content appears professional and visually correct. It saves you from awkward viewing angles. Plus, your audience doesn’t have to tilt their heads or devices to watch your video properly.

2. Creative Perspective

Rotating a video adds a creative twist to your storytelling. By altering the orientation, you can evoke curiosity or add an artistic angle to mundane shots. Imagine transforming a standard skyline shot into a dynamic diagonal tilt, instantly adding drama. This technique can make scenes more dynamic or highlight elements in a unique way. It’s all about standing out in a sea of straightforward shots. Use rotation to guide the viewer’s eye in a new, unexpected direction, enhancing the visual appeal of your narrative.

3. Adapt Videos for Different Platforms

Different social media platforms favor different video orientations. Instagram Stories and TikTok prefer vertical videos, while YouTube often favors horizontal. Rotating videos in iMovie allows you to repurpose the same footage across various platforms without reshooting. Simply adjust the orientation to maximize screen real estate and engagement on each platform. This not only saves time but also expands your video’s reach. Adapting your content to fit the platform can significantly increase viewership and engagement.

4. Improve Composition

Sometimes the original shooting angle doesn’t showcase a scene’s full potential. Rotating a video can enhance its composition. This could mean changing the focus from one subject to another, or balancing the elements within the frame more effectively. iMovie’s rotation feature allows for precise adjustments, giving you control over the visual balance. This can turn an average video into a captivating one, with well-composed scenes that draw the viewer in.

5. Optimize Viewer Experience on Different Devices

Viewers use a variety of devices with different aspect ratios and orientations. Rotating videos ensures they look good on any device, from smartphones to tablets to desktops. If a video is optimized for vertical viewing, it’s perfect for smartphone screens. Horizontal videos, on the other hand, suit tablets and desktops better. By adjusting orientation in iMovie, you make sure everyone has the best viewing experience, regardless of how they access your video. This broadens your audience and improves satisfaction with your content.