iMovie: How to Export a Vertical Video
To export a vertical video from iMovie, set up a portrait-shaped project by placing a vertical clip first, then crop and frame the other footage to match. When the edit is ready, use Share or Export File to save it; iMovie generally follows the project’s orientation rather than offering a universal portrait-size switch.
How iMovie handles vertical video
iMovie’s controls differ between iPhone, iPad, and Mac, but the key idea is consistent: the project’s shape is usually established by the first video clip added to a new movie. If that clip is portrait, the project can retain a vertical frame. If a landscape clip is first, later portrait clips may appear cropped or surrounded by black space instead.
This is why choosing Export at the end is not always enough to make a horizontal project vertical. Export settings can control options such as resolution and file quality, but they may not change the underlying aspect ratio. For a vertical social video, start with a portrait clip or use a workflow that lets you set the canvas dimensions.
Make a vertical project on iPhone or iPad
- Open iMovie, tap Start New Project or the plus button, and choose Movie.
- Select a portrait-oriented video clip as the first item, then tap Create Movie. Add your other clips afterward.
- Review each shot in the preview. Pinch to zoom or reposition footage when the subject is cut off; available crop controls vary by device and app version.
- When editing is complete, tap Done, then tap the Share button.
- Choose Save Video to place a copy in Photos, or select another available sharing destination. If prompted, choose a resolution suitable for the intended use.
After saving, open the exported file in Photos and check that it is upright and portrait-shaped. A vertical preview in the editing screen does not guarantee every shot is framed well: landscape clips in particular can lose important content when cropped to portrait.
Make a vertical project on Mac
On Mac, create a new movie and import a portrait clip. Drag that clip to the beginning of the timeline before adding landscape clips, titles, music, or other material. iMovie uses the first clip’s orientation to determine the project’s format, so putting a landscape clip first can produce a landscape project even when most of the footage is vertical.
Use the viewer’s crop controls to adjust how individual clips fit. Depending on the clip and iMovie version, options may include fitting the whole image or cropping to fill the frame. A fill-style crop avoids empty bars but cuts away part of the image; fitting the whole clip preserves its edges but may leave blank areas.
To save the movie, click the Share button and choose Export File (the wording can vary slightly by version). Set the available resolution and quality options, choose a file name and save location, then export. Check the resulting file in a video player before uploading it.
Frame landscape footage for a portrait screen
A portrait project does not turn landscape footage into portrait footage without trade-offs. A 16:9 landscape image is much wider than a 9:16 phone screen, so filling the vertical frame usually means cropping the left and right sides. If the subject moves across the wide frame, one fixed crop may not keep them centered throughout the shot.
- Choose a useful crop: Keep faces, captions, and important action within the vertical frame. Preview the full clip, not just its opening moment.
- Use portrait footage where possible: Recording vertically gives you more control over composition and avoids losing as much of the original image.
- Consider a blurred background: Some editing workflows place the entire landscape clip over a blurred or enlarged copy of itself. This preserves the full shot, though it is not the same as a tightly filled portrait image.
- Check titles and captions: Text near the sides of a landscape frame may be cut off after cropping. Keep important text away from the edges.
Export settings and aspect ratio
Resolution describes the number of pixels in the video; aspect ratio describes the shape of its frame. A resolution choice such as 1080p does not, by itself, mean the exported video is vertical. A portrait video can use a vertical pixel arrangement, while a landscape export uses a horizontal one; the project’s dimensions and orientation determine that shape.
For online sharing, use the highest suitable resolution that iMovie offers for the project and destination. Larger files take more storage and may take longer to upload. If a platform recommends a particular frame size or format, check its current guidance rather than assuming every service uses identical requirements. Export a short test if the final video is long or the framing is important.
Common problems and alternatives
The export is horizontal: The project may have been created with a landscape clip first. Start a new movie with a portrait clip at the beginning, then rebuild or copy the edit. Changing the export resolution alone may not fix orientation.
The video has black bars: The clip may be fitted inside a frame with a different shape. Use a crop-to-fill option if available, or accept the bars to preserve the entire image. Cropping avoids bars but removes part of the picture.
The subject is cut off: Adjust the crop or reposition the clip, and review it across the whole shot. If the subject moves, a single static crop may not be enough. Re-editing with portrait source footage can give a better result.
The app does not offer a portrait-size control: That is a limitation of the project workflow, not necessarily an export failure. If you need a precise custom canvas or more control over reframing, use a video editor that explicitly supports custom aspect ratios. You can also export from iMovie and place the result in another editor, but check the frame dimensions after that second export.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can iMovie export a 9:16 video?
It can produce portrait video when the project is portrait-oriented, commonly by beginning with a vertical clip. Exact controls and behavior can vary across iMovie versions and devices.
Can I change a landscape iMovie project to vertical after editing?
There is not always a direct project-orientation switch. A practical option is to create a new project with a portrait clip first and move the edit over, then reframe clips as needed.
Why does my vertical video have black bars?
The footage and project may have different aspect ratios, or iMovie may be fitting the full image rather than cropping it. Crop to fill if you want the frame filled, knowing that the edges will be removed.
Does choosing 1080p make the video vertical?
No. Resolution and orientation are different properties. The project’s frame shape determines whether the video is portrait or landscape.
Where does iMovie save the exported video?
On iPhone or iPad, Save Video sends a copy to Photos. On Mac, Export File lets you choose a save location in the export dialog.
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