Jeffrey Lemire

Q: I need help. iMovie videos won't play

I have a 15 minute clip on my iPhone and everytime I try to edit it on iMovie it won't play so I don't know when to cut

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.0.2

Posted on Jun 28, 2016 5:16 PM

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Q: I need help. iMovie videos won't play

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  • by jameson.h,

    jameson.h jameson.h Jun 29, 2016 10:04 AM in response to Jeffrey Lemire
    Community Specialists
    Jun 29, 2016 10:04 AM in response to Jeffrey Lemire

    Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities, Jeffrey Lemire.

     

    It sounds like you're having trouble playing videos within iMovie which in turn, is making it difficult to know how to edit them. Playback is essential for making edits in iMovie so I can certainly understand why you would reach out for help with this. 

     

    The first thing you want to do is check to see that you have opened your video correctly as a Project for editing. If you're using your video to create a new movie, make sure you have followed the steps listed here: iMovie Help for iPhone

     

    If your video has already been set up as a movie project, open that project up for editing by following these steps: 

     

    1. To open the Projects browser, tap Projects at the top of the screen.

       

      If you don’t see Projects at the top of the screen, tap Done or until it appears.

    2. Scroll the projects, then tap one to see project details.

    3. Tap Edit.

    Tip: On iPhone models with 3D Touch, press the iMovie icon on the Home screen to choose from a list of recent projects, or choose New Project.

     

    Once you have opened your video, you should be able to play your project at any time to either watch it from the beginning or to check your work in progress. Follow these steps to do so:

     

    Do one of the following:

    • If you’re working in a project: Tap the Play button . The project begins playing from the playhead (the white vertical line) in the timeline. Tap the Pause button to stop playback.

    • In the Projects browser: Tap a project to see the project details, then tap the Play Full Screen button . If you’re working in a project, tap Done to see the Play Full Screen button.

       

      The project begins playing from the beginning. If the playback controls aren’t showing, tap the screen to make them appear. Tap Done (in the upper-left corner) to return to the project details screen.

       

      Tip: On iPhone models with 3D Touch, press a project in the Projects browser to play a preview. Swipe up to show a menu of further options: Edit, Share, and Delete.

     

    If you have opened your video project correctly, followed the steps listed above for playing it, and are still having problems playing your video within iMovie, I recommend force closing iMovie and restarting your iPhone. You can find the steps on how to do both of those in the two support articles listed below. 

     

    Force an app to close on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

    Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch 

     

    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.

     

    Have an awesome day!