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One of the best apps you can use to change the aspect ratio of a video file is iMovie, a video editing app designed for macOS and iOS devices. Once you use iMovie to change the aspect ratio of a video, you can upload it to various social media platforms. This is key because if you don’t change the aspect ratio of a video, the platform where you publish the video could automatically crop or stretch it incorrectly.
In this article, we will show you how to change the aspect ratio using iMovie on different devices. We’ll also go over which aspect ratio works best for certain social media platforms.
Aspect ratio and social networks
For example, TikTok requires videos with an aspect ratio of 9:16, and for YouTube, 16:9. In fact, the standard aspect ratio for videos is 16:9, also known as widescreen aspect ratio. Most video content you watch on TV, as well as on computers and mobile devices, is displayed in this aspect ratio.
The aspect ratio depends on the default settings of your recording device, whether it’s your phone, tablet, laptop camera, or digital camera. While some mobile devices give you the option to change the aspect ratio before taking a photo, you can also use a video editing app to change it afterward.
While social media apps impose certain limitations in terms of dimensions, they will allow you to upload your content without changing its size. However, this will not only automatically crop the video in the wrong places, but could also reduce the quality of the video. Skipping this step could also cause the platform to stretch your video to fit the entire screen, distorting it.
Therefore, to control the final product, it is best to change the aspect ratio of the video before uploading it. And while there are several programs and apps you can use to edit your video, iPhone, Mac, or iPad users will find the best software to use is iMovie.
How to change the aspect ratio in iMovie on iPhone
Because of its small screen, using iMovie on your iPhone can be more difficult than on other devices. However, the process of adjusting the aspect ratio of your video in iMovie on your iPhone only requires a few steps.
If you don’t have the app installed on your iPhone yet, you can discharge from the App Store.
The only problem with using iMovie to change the aspect ratio of a video is that there are no automatically suggested options for you to choose from. Instead, you’ll have to change the aspect ratio manually by cropping the video.
To change the aspect ratio of a video in iMovie on your iPhone, follow the steps below:
- Open iMovie on your iPhone.
- Tap on Create project option on your home page.
- Select Movie from the New project window.
- Import a video file from your device.
- Tap your video on the timeline.
- Navigate to the magnifying glass in the upper right corner of your screen.
- Zoom in on your video by pinching the timeline. To reduce the dimensions of the video, pinch towards the center of the screen. To zoom in on the video, drag your fingers to the outer edges of the screen.
- When you’re done, select Made in the upper left corner of your screen.
- Proceed to Share button.
- Choose Save video.
The video will be saved to your iPhone’s camera roll. You can share the video to iCloud Drive, Mail and Messages directly from the app. You can also use the AirDrop feature to share it with other devices.
When it comes to the aspect ratio you choose, it depends on the platform where you plan to share the video. It can be difficult to precisely crop the video with your fingers, and you may have to return to the app to adjust the dimensions again. That’s why it might be easier to make the switch on a Mac and work on a larger screen.
How to change the aspect ratio in iMovie on a Mac
If you don’t have it yet, download it iMovie to your Mac. To change the aspect ratio of a video in iMovie on your Mac, follow the steps below:
- Open the iMovie program on your Mac.
- Click on the Create new in the upper left corner of the screen.
- Select Movie in the dropdown menu.
- Click on Import media to upload a video from your Mac.
Note: You can also drag and drop video clips from the browser directly to the iMovie timeline. - Click on the Crop icon on the top toolbar.
- Drag the edges of the cropped window throughout your video.
- When you’re done, click the blue checkmark icon in the top right corner of your video.
- Select the Share icon in the upper right corner.
- Save the video to your device.
The iMovie app only allows you to choose between the widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio for HD videos and the standard 4:3 aspect ratio for SD videos. To adjust how much of your video will stay within the frame, click on its border and move it around the screen.
Another way to choose the video aspect ratio is to upload the video and then click Archive > Project Properties. You will be able to choose between standard and widescreen aspect ratio.
However, this method may not work for all versions of iMovie, but it is worth a try.
How to change the aspect ratio in iMovie on an iPad
The process of changing the aspect ratio of a video in iMovie on your iPad is similar to how you would do it on your iPhone. Since you’re working on a larger screen, it might be even easier. This is what you should do:
- Launch iMovie on your iPad.
- Select the Create project option.
- Play the Movie button in the new window.
- Upload video from your iPad’s camera roll.
- Tap the video timeline.
- Select the magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner of your screen.
- Pinch the video to zoom in. To zoom out, use your fingers to drag the video frame to the outer edges of the screen.
- Select Made.
- Go to the Share button to save your video.
That’s all about it. You’ll find the edited video in your iPad’s camera roll.
How to change aspect ratio in iMovie for IGTV?
If you want to create an Instagram IGTV video, it must have dimensions of 1080 x 1920 pixels or an aspect ratio of 9:16. This is the same aspect ratio required for Instagram Stories and TikTok videos. It is basically designed to cover the entire screen of your smartphone.
Before posting an IGTV, you’ll preview it. This preview video is in a 4:5 aspect ratio, so don’t be confused when you watch it. The dimensions will be adjusted once you post it to Instagram.
If you want to use iMovie to change the aspect ratio of your video, you must choose the 16:9 aspect ratio. Since it is the opposite of 9:16, a common practice is to use the opposite aspect ratio to load the video horizontally. Viewers may have to turn their phones to see the video more clearly, but the quality will be worth it.
You can use the iMovie app on your Mac to create an IGTV video and send it to your iPhone. This is how you do it:
- Open iMovie on your Mac.
- Click on the Create new icon in the upper left corner of your screen.
- Select Movie.
- Upload your IGTV video to iMovie.
- Click on the Archive tab in the top menu.
- Select Project properties in the dropdown menu.
- Select the widescreen aspect ratio.
- Choose the Share in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Send the video to your iPhone.
You can use iCloud to transfer the video or send it with the AirDrop function. Once the video is on your phone, you can upload it to Instagram right away. IGTV will automatically adjust the video to fit your phone’s screen.
This method is much better than rotating the video, which would make it smaller and harder to see.
Modify the dimensions of your video to your liking
Although not required, changing the aspect ratio of your video will make it fit any device or app you use to upload it. While iMovie doesn’t offer specific aspect ratio options, you can use it to change dimensions manually. Doing this will allow you to crop your video any way you want.