imovie not enough space in selected destination

I cannot add media to iMovie. I get this not enough space at the selected destination. I just updated to Catalina and did not get this message until after i updated.


my Mac shows i have 455 GB of storage available.


i cleared my entire iMovie library AND emptied trash so i know it’s not a space issue.


is it related to the Catalina upgrade?

iMac 21.5", macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 18, 2019 6:55 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 22, 2020 8:29 AM

I had the same problem since Catalina. I couldn't add any media files on my project, but somehow the video files captured on my mac camera were able to be added.

Anyway, I uninstalled iMovie completely. Not only iMovie library but all the related iMovie files. I searched some related files in my finder and emptied the trash.

Please refer to this article (don't install the software as you can do it yourself) "Regular Solution to Uninstall iMovie from Your Mac: If you would like to delete iMovie by yourself, follow the manual steps below:"

https://macremover.com/uninstallguides/2015/08/20/how-to-uninstall-imovie/


And then, I redownloaded iMovie from the app store.

It solved my problem since then.

Good luck.

36 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 22, 2020 8:29 AM in response to GibsWin

I had the same problem since Catalina. I couldn't add any media files on my project, but somehow the video files captured on my mac camera were able to be added.

Anyway, I uninstalled iMovie completely. Not only iMovie library but all the related iMovie files. I searched some related files in my finder and emptied the trash.

Please refer to this article (don't install the software as you can do it yourself) "Regular Solution to Uninstall iMovie from Your Mac: If you would like to delete iMovie by yourself, follow the manual steps below:"

https://macremover.com/uninstallguides/2015/08/20/how-to-uninstall-imovie/


And then, I redownloaded iMovie from the app store.

It solved my problem since then.

Good luck.

May 2, 2020 7:27 AM in response to EricAnthony916

As I said earlier in this post, redownload iMovie.


To update/redownload iMovie 10, drag your iMovie 10 app from the Applications folder into the trash, but do not empty the

trash. Sign in to the app store and open your purchases folder by clicking on your name at the bottom of the app store side bar. You will see your purchases displayed, including iMovie 10. Redownload/update iMovie from

there. If not successful, drag your present iMovie app out of the trash and return it to the Applications folder.


-- Rich

Jan 23, 2020 12:59 AM in response to Rich839

Well Surprise, Surprise Apple have released a product without testing its capacity to fulfil its obligations to the consumer, iMovie does not work on the latest update "Catalina" and yet the Apple organisation are still draining money from its loyal subscribers and continue to peddle inferior products.


The truth, Apple could have such a wonderful product if they stopped being so avaricious and became more user friendly and put more thought into their customer satisfaction.


Ynot

Oct 21, 2019 11:48 AM in response to GibsWin

To redownload iMovie, move the iMovie app from your Applications folder to the trash, but don't empty the trash. Then sign in at the online app store and redownload it. After you have successfully redownloaded and everything works fine, you can empty the trash of your old app. If for some reason you are not able to redownload, then move the iMovie app from the trash back into the Applications folder.


Another thing. Don't touch the iMovie Library. It is separate from the iMovie app. If you delete the library you will be deleting all of your projects.


-- Rich

Oct 18, 2019 9:48 PM in response to GibsWin

Before doing anything more, read through this thread and see if anything in there helps you:


https://discussions.apple.com/community/ilife/imovie


Downgrading to a previous operating system can be tricky. Since I have never

done it myself I am reluctant to try to provide instructions on a forum like

this. I suggest that you click on the Contact Support item in the upper right

hand corner of this forum's screen, and talk to an Apple Support person who can

walk you through the process.


For information purposes you can read this Apple Support article re restoring a

previous operating system from a Time Machine backup. 


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203981


Rather than trying to downgrade your operating system I suggest that you wait for whatever patch that Apple may do, and try some of the diagnostic procedures mentioned in the discussions link above.


-- Rich


 

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

imovie not enough space in selected destination

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.