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Change Aspect Ratio in iMovie on iPhone / Mac

Jack

By Jack Lin

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Change Aspect Ratio iMovie

This article focuses on changing the iMovie aspect ratio on iPhone or Mac.

In simplest terms, the term “Aspect Ratio” defines the ratio between the width and height of a given video. That is exactly how a given video appears on your screen.

That said, this article specifically discusses iMovie aspect ratio change.

Why Do We Need to Change iMovie Aspect Ratio on iPhone?

As mentioned earlier, the aspect ratio is between the video’s width and height. The aspect ratio of that video is set by the device that captures the original footage. For instance, your digital camera, laptop, computer, or phone have their aspect ratio values.

As of today, it is 16:9, regarded as a standard or commonly accepted aspect ratio. The same aspect ratio is considered the “Widescreen Aspect Ratio.” This is the preferred aspect ratio for TV, computers, smartphones, etc.

You can find other commonly used aspect ratios as well. 4:3 is one of those aspect ratios found in older screens (which are nearly squares). On the other hand, 1:1 is used for Instagram, and 9:16 is for TikTok. Meanwhile, 21:9 is used on cinema screens.

Sometimes, you should upload an image or a video to some platforms with specific ratios. For instance, the videos uploaded to YouTube should be 16:9. Also, some platforms crop your videos abnormally. If not, those videos may get stretched if you don’t use the required aspect ratio.

If you apply the appropriate aspect ratio, you can avoid all those unpleasant conditions. So, if you have shot a video using your iPhone, you should change it based on the platform. That is exactly why every iPhone user should learn about the iMovie change aspect ratio.


Part 1: Change Aspect Ratio Using iMovie on Mac  

Let’s get to the main point directly – the iMovie aspect ratio change. If you wonder how to change the aspect ratio using iMovie on Mac, you should know one thing for clarity. The basic aspect ratio of iMovie is set to 4:3 by default for videos.

Regarding HD videos, the aspect ratio is changed to 16:9. With iMovie 10, you will notice a common issue when using a standard aspect ratio. Even when the video is cropped, you may not be able to get the output as desired.

If not, the screen will fill with the video. In that case, you can easily edit videos with a professional tool like Filmora.

But if You Intend to Stick to iMovie, Mentioned Below Are the Steps to Follow.

  • First, you should launch iMovie to see the home screen. You should create a project or even open an already existing project. Then, you can either import or drag and drop the videos to the timeline.
Change Aspect Ratio in iMovie
  • After that, you should crop the media file. To do that, you can use the crop icon placed just above the timeline. Just click on it so you can easily change the video’s size. After choosing the correct size, you can click on the Reset option. That’s it.
choose the correct size

Use Filmora to Change the Aspect Ratio – the Best Alternative

Filmora Video Editor is one of the handiest video editors in the market today. As of today, this specific tool is used in many countries across the globe. We mention it as one of the most powerful tools for various reasons.

So, in this section, we will explain how to use this tool instead of changing the aspect ratio using iMovie on iPhone.

Using this powerful application, there are two methods to change the aspect ratio of a video. You can use this tool and change the size using custom values. If not, you can choose a preset from the settings and apply it in a breeze.

Either way, it is easy to edit or resize a video using Filmora. So, to proceed with the process, you should download the application on your Mac or PC.

Features of Filmora Video Editor  

Before we step into the process of changing the aspect ratio, let’s learn Filmora’s best features.

  • It is the best video editing application for those who are new to the subject of video editing.
  • It has many powerful video editing skills, including trimming, splitting, rotating, etc.
  • You can find some advanced video effects on this application (green screen, audio mixing, PIP, etc.).
  • Any of those effects can be added to the video using a couple of clicks.
  • There are more than 500 free special video effects for you to use on project files. You can use those presets to make your videos glorious and unique.
  • There are more than 1000 standalone effects for you to consider. These effects are absolutely handy when it comes to creating videos of different effects.
  • It comes with a friendly user interface that can be used by any individual regardless of expertise.
  • You can use it to export videos to different platforms and devices with only a single click.

How to Use Filmora to Change Aspect Ratio

OK. Please follow the simple steps below to change the aspect ratio of a video file.

01. Import the Media File

First, please download and install Filmora on your computer to proceed. Then, you are supposed to open the application to see the home screen.

To edit the video file, you can drag it or drop it into the timeline. If not, you can choose the Import option on the menu bar. That will open the video file in the Filmora application.

Filmora Video Editor
02. Change the Aspect Ratio

Now that the video is appearing in the timeline, you can right-click on it. As a result, that will display more editing options related to the same video.

You only need to find the Crop and Zoom option and click on them. After clicking on that option, you can find several presets. This preset appears with values of 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, and 9:16. You will also find a custom option. All these options appear below the video so choosing them is easier.

Filmora Change the Aspect Ratio
  • There are two options to consider now. You can either change the aspect ratio by cropping the file. In that case, you can choose the option called Custom. You can manually adjust the crop handles and then focus on the required area.
  • If not, you can also change the video aspect ratio from a preset. For many users, this method is easier. It should be 16:9, 6:16, 4:3, or 1:1. You can make the respective video match the respective aspect ratio with preset values. The output file of the video will appear in a much better manner once the cropping is completed.
Filmora Crop & Zoom
Additional Features

Filmora for Mac comes with another feature called Auto Reframe as well. This feature allows the application to crop the video files automatically to match specific screens.

So, as you can notice, cropping a video using Filmora for Mac is exceptionally easy. Also, it gives a professional output compared to standard applications like iMovie.

In addition to cropping, Filmora offers you plenty of other features to edit videos. So, choosing Filmora is always a wise decision for any user.

Filmora Additional Features

Besides, if you wonder how to import MP4 into iMovie, just click to check them out.


Part 2: Change Aspect Ratio Using iMovie on iPhone 

Video editing is possible on handheld devices as well. In other words, you can edit a video on your iPhone with the assistance of the iMovie app. But the problem is that this method has some limitations, just like iMovie for Mac.

As long as you can tolerate those limitations, iMovie for iPhone is a good option for editing videos. One of the major drawbacks of this method is that it doesn’t support certain aspect ratios. In that case, you will have to reach that manually. So, the iMovie change aspect ratio iPhone is not an easy task.

However, the good news is that there is a handy alternative to change the aspect ratio iMovie. This method is called FilmoraGo. It can be used to configure standard video aspect ratios without any issue and achieve impressive results.

You can easily avoid the alternative solution if you intend to add standard ratios. If not, you can simply follow the settings below and perform an iMovie aspect ratio change.

  • First, you should launch iMovie on your iOS device.
  • Click on the icon that appears as a plus icon and goes to Movie.
  • Then, you should import the videos that should be edited.
  • Tap on the video, which is located in the timeline.
  • Select the option that appears like a magnifying glass so you can start cropping.
  • Now, crop or zoom the video file as you wish.
  • Click on Done.
  • Click on the option called Save Video as well.
FilmoraGo

Using FilmoraGo Instead of iMovie

FilmoraGo is available on iOS devices as well. So, you can use this professional tool on your iPhone without a doubt or hassle. The steps are very simple.

  • First, download and install FilmoraGo on your iPhone and launch it. Now, create a new project. If not, you can even open a recent project.
  • To proceed, you can select Canvas from the list appearing on the next screen.
  • You can now select an output format. To do that, you can select the ratio format you prefer. That’s it.
Using FilmoraGo Instead of iMovie

FAQs

  1. Can I change the aspect ratio of a video after exporting it from iMovie?
    No, you can’t change the aspect ratio after exporting the video. It’s recommended to set the correct aspect ratio before finalizing and exporting your project.
  2. Does changing the aspect ratio affect video quality?
    If the new aspect ratio is compatible with the video’s resolution, there should be no significant impact on video quality. However, if there’s a mismatch, you may notice a decrease in quality.
  3. Are there any aspect ratios that iMovie doesn’t support?
    iMovie supports most common aspect ratios. However, extremely unusual or custom aspect ratios might not be supported.
  4. Can I change the aspect ratio of a video on iMovie for iPad?
    Yes, the process for changing the aspect ratio on iMovie for iPad is similar to that on iPhone.
  5. Can I set a default aspect ratio for all my iMovie projects?
    No, iMovie doesn’t currently offer the option to set a default aspect ratio. You need to set the aspect ratio for each project individually.

Conclusion

Well, as you can realize, changing the aspect ratio of iMovie is not that easy if you use standard tools. Those tools always come with some limitations. However, with a professional tool like Filmora or FilmoraGo, you can accomplish the same task easier and better.

Editing or cropping a video to be compatible with a specific platform has become necessary. That is because there are so many platforms and devices to display your videos.

So, if you want to display the video content appropriately, use a professional tool. Filmora and FilmoraGo are two options we can suggest instead of iMovie changing aspect ratio on iPhone.

Jack
Jack

10 years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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