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User profile for user: EricChicago
EricChicago Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Sharing iMovie Projects on iCloud

I cannot share an iMovie project to the iCloud from my MacBook Pro to then edit on my iMac. Is it true I need an external hard drive to do this? That seems silly, because I have iCloud.


I cannot find any information online that simply states "No you can't," only suggestions on how to use an external hard drive. Just looking for a straight answer either from Apple or the community.


Also: Dear Apple, if it's true we can't save iMovie projects on iCloud, why is that and can you fix this?


Thanks!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 9, 2020 1:00 PM

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User profile for user: Rich839
Rich839
User level: Level 8
47,688 points

Posted on Sep 9, 2020 1:38 PM

No you can't.


I'm not a software tech and can't give you a fully technical explanation. However here is my understanding. iMovie projects that are in editable form must reside in an iMovie library that contains the data and codes. iMovie library folders must reside on hard drives formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS due to the special permissions and requirements for preserving and managing data in the library -- data that must be assembled by the iMovie app into a standalone project. Thus an iMovie library folder cannot reside in the cloud. By contrast, the standalone project, i.e, a shared out movie, where all of the pieces and components of the project have been assembled can be uploaded to the Cloud. Here's what a simple iMovie project looks like -- lots of different elements to assemble:



That's just the way the software is. Nothing to fix. However, you can pose your last question directly to Apple, as this is a consumer forum composed of contributors like you.


-- Rich

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User profile for user: Rich839
Rich839
User level: Level 8
47,688 points

Sep 9, 2020 1:38 PM in response to EricChicago

No you can't.


I'm not a software tech and can't give you a fully technical explanation. However here is my understanding. iMovie projects that are in editable form must reside in an iMovie library that contains the data and codes. iMovie library folders must reside on hard drives formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS due to the special permissions and requirements for preserving and managing data in the library -- data that must be assembled by the iMovie app into a standalone project. Thus an iMovie library folder cannot reside in the cloud. By contrast, the standalone project, i.e, a shared out movie, where all of the pieces and components of the project have been assembled can be uploaded to the Cloud. Here's what a simple iMovie project looks like -- lots of different elements to assemble:



That's just the way the software is. Nothing to fix. However, you can pose your last question directly to Apple, as this is a consumer forum composed of contributors like you.


-- Rich

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Sharing iMovie Projects on iCloud

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