Got a video on your iPhone that’s just too long? No need to fret, trimming it down is a breeze! Whether you’re looking to cut out some unnecessary footage or just want to focus on the good stuff, you can do it all within your iPhone’s built-in Photos app. Let’s dive in and get that video to the perfect length!
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Shorten a Video on iPhone
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s quickly go over what you’ll be able to accomplish by following these steps. You’ll learn how to open your video in the Photos app, select the portion you want to keep, and save it as a new clip. It’s pretty straightforward, so let’s get started!
Step 1: Open the Photos app and select the video you want to edit.
Once you’ve opened the Photos app, navigate to the video you wish to shorten. Tap on it to open it up and get ready to edit.
When you tap on the video, it will start playing automatically. You’ll notice a series of tools at the bottom of the screen. Don’t worry about those just yet; we’re focusing on trimming for now.
Step 2: Tap ‘Edit’ in the top right corner of the screen.
In the upper right corner, you’ll see the word ‘Edit.’ Give that a tap, and you’ll enter the editing mode where the real magic happens.
Once you’re in editing mode, you’ll see a frame viewer at the bottom of the screen. This is where you’ll make your adjustments to the video’s length.
Step 3: Drag the edges of the frame viewer to select the part of the video you want to keep.
At each end of the frame viewer, you’ll see a small white box. These are the trim handles. Dragging them left or right will allow you to set the start and end points of your new, shorter video.
Be sure to take your time with this step. You can always preview your trimmed video by tapping the play button. This way, you can ensure you’re not cutting out anything important.
Step 4: Tap ‘Done’ and select ‘Save as New Clip.’
After you’re satisfied with the trimmed video, tap ‘Done’ in the bottom right corner. You’ll be given the option to ‘Save as New Clip’ or ‘Cancel.’ Choose ‘Save as New Clip’ to keep your changes.
By saving as a new clip, your original video will remain untouched in your library. This is great if you ever need to go back to the full-length version.
Once you’ve saved your new clip, it will appear in your Photos app alongside the original video. You can now share it, upload it to social media, or do whatever you’d like with your newly shortened video!
Tips: Shortening a Video on iPhone
- Make sure your iPhone has enough storage space before you start editing. Trimming and saving new clips can take up additional space.
- Use the trim handles carefully to avoid cutting out important parts of your video.
- Remember that you can always revert to the original video if you’re not happy with your edits.
- If you need more advanced editing features, consider downloading a third-party app from the App Store.
- Regularly back up your videos to iCloud or another storage service to prevent any accidental loss during editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I undo the trimming if I make a mistake?
Don’t worry; if you’ve trimmed too much or are unhappy with the result, you can undo your changes. Just go back into editing mode and tap ‘Revert’ to return to the original video.
Can I trim multiple parts of a video?
The built-in Photos app only allows for trimming the beginning or end of a video, not multiple sections. For more complex edits, you’ll need a third-party app.
Will trimming my video reduce its quality?
No, trimming your video will not reduce its quality. It simply cuts out the unwanted parts and keeps the rest intact.
Can I add music or effects to my video in the Photos app?
The Photos app has limited editing capabilities. For adding music, effects, or other enhancements, you’ll need to use a more advanced video editing app.
Is it possible to merge videos together in the Photos app?
Merging videos is not a feature available in the Photos app. You’ll need to download an app specifically designed for video editing to combine clips.
Summary
- Open the Photos app and choose your video.
- Tap ‘Edit’ to enter editing mode.
- Drag the trim handles to select the portion to keep.
- Tap ‘Done’ and save as a new clip.
Conclusion
There you have it, a quick and easy guide on how to shorten a video on iPhone. With just a few taps, you can trim down your videos right within the Photos app – no fancy software needed. Whether you’re looking to create the perfect social media post or just wanting to keep the highlights of your memories, this skill is essential for any iPhone user. And remember, practice makes perfect! So, go ahead and start experimenting with your videos, and before you know it, you’ll be a video trimming pro!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.