- How to export an iMovie project on a Mac
- Which export settings to choose
- The catch: your export can only be as good as your first clip
- Exporting for social media
- How to export faster
- Why your iMovie export isn't working
- Exporting from iMovie on iPhone
- Where your project is saved
- Keep a master copy
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To export a video from iMovie on a Mac, select your movie in the browser, choose File, then Share, then File, and set the resolution and quality. Click Next, name the file, pick where to save it and click Save. iMovie exports one movie at a time, and the finished file opens in QuickTime Player.
You've finished editing and now you need an actual video file to upload, send or keep. In iMovie, exporting lives under Share, which is why people go hunting for an Export button that isn't there. Here's exactly how to do it and which settings to choose.
How to export an iMovie project on a Mac
- In iMovie, select the movie, trailer or clip in the browser.
- Choose File, then Share, then File.
- Click the name at the top if you want to rename the movie.
- Choose a Format: video and audio, or audio only.
- Choose the Resolution and Quality.
- Pick a Compress setting.
- Click Next, type a file name, choose where to save and click Save.
A progress indicator appears on the right of the toolbar. When it's finished, Apple says the movie opens in QuickTime Player and you'll see a Share Successful notification.
Which export settings to choose
| Setting | My recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Video and audio | The sound-only option suits podcasts or music beds |
| Resolution | 1080p for social media | Matches most platforms; 4K only if you shot in 4K |
| Quality | High | Good balance of sharpness and file size |
| Compress | Better quality, if you have time | Faster exports can look softer |
If you need a specific file size, choose Custom under Quality and drag the slider. Apple says the estimated file size updates as you drag, which is handy when a platform or email has a size limit.
The catch: your export can only be as good as your first clip
This one surprises people who shot in 4K and can't export in 4K. Apple explains that a project's resolution and frame rate are set by the first clip you add to the timeline. If that first clip was a 1080p phone video, the whole project is 1080p, even if the rest is 4K. Want a 4K export? Make sure the first clip you drop into a new project is 4K. The same applies to 60 frames per second: the first 1080p or 720p clip needs to be 60 fps.
Exporting for social media
iMovie also has File, Share, Social Platforms, which prepares a file in a format suited to video sites. It saves the file to your Mac, and then you upload it through the platform's website as normal. For vertical reels, remember iMovie projects are horizontal by default, so plan to crop or use a different app for full-screen vertical video.
How to export faster
Long exports can take a while. On newer high-end Macs, iMovie offers Allow export segmentation, which speeds up exports of projects around 3 minutes or longer by processing segments at the same time. Apple says it needs macOS Sonoma or later and a Mac with an M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2 Max, M2 Ultra or M3 Max chip. On other Macs, close other apps while exporting and keep your Mac plugged in.
Why your iMovie export isn't working
- You selected the wrong thing. Select the movie in the browser, not a clip in the timeline.
- You're trying to export several at once. iMovie exports one item at a time.
- Not enough storage. High-quality video files are big. Free up space or save to an external drive.
- The export looks blurry. Check the resolution setting and the resolution of your first clip.
Exporting from iMovie on iPhone
On an iPhone or iPad, tap Done to leave the project, then use the share button to save the video to Photos or send it to an app. The options are simpler than on the Mac, but the same rule applies: higher resolution means a bigger file.
Where your project is saved
You don't need to save your project before exporting. Apple says iMovie saves automatically as you work, so your edit is safe in the iMovie library even after you've exported the file. Keep the project until you're sure the exported video is right, in case you need to change something.
Keep a master copy
Before you post anywhere, export one high-quality master file and keep it somewhere safe, such as an external drive or cloud folder. Then export smaller versions for email or quick sharing from the project when you need them. If a platform squashes your video or you want to repost it much later, the master file is there, and you won't have to dig out the old project and hope all the clips are still where iMovie expects them.
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My verdict
File, Share, File is the export path in iMovie. Choose 1080p and High quality for social media, use Custom quality when you need a smaller file, and remember the first clip in your project sets the maximum resolution. If your exported video stutters on YouTube, my guide to why YouTube lags can help you check whether it's the file or the platform. And for hosting video on your own site, have a look at my roundup of Vimeo alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the export button in iMovie?
There isn't one called Export. Choose File, then Share, then File.
How do I export iMovie in 4K?
Choose 4K under Resolution. It's only available if your project is 4K, which depends on the first clip you added being 4K.
Can I export several iMovie projects at once?
No. Apple says iMovie exports one movie, trailer or clip at a time.
How do I make an iMovie export smaller?
Choose a lower resolution, or set Quality to Custom and drag the slider down while watching the estimated file size.
Where does iMovie save exported videos?
Wherever you choose in the save dialog. After export, the video opens in QuickTime Player.
Do I need to save my iMovie project before exporting?
No. iMovie saves automatically as you work.
