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iMovie won't import videos

Hello,

I have Mac OS 11.5.2 Big Sur, with the most updated iMovie, I am using a late 2013 MacBook Pro laptop.


I made a couple movies using my iPhone and iPad, and am trying to edit the videos and thought of iMovie, since thats really all I have, and iMovie won't let me import the videos. I tried bringing in other movies from other sources, and it doesn't seem to want to work at all, with any video type. Am I missing something? Thank.s

MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Sep 6, 2021 8:11 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 8, 2021 3:20 PM

Hello Rich,

I try dragging and dropping, which shows the plus symbol as I drag it onto iMovie, I've tried clicking on the import button on the project media, and with all of it, nothing happens. When I double click, or whether I press Import Media, and nothing happens. If I click the close button, it closes the media. It's like it stops when I try adding media to the project. I tired uninstalling iMovie and reinstalling it. Nothing. Not sure I understand the opening with options to delete preferences, but will try it again. No error messages show up, it just doesn't do nothing!

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 8, 2021 3:20 PM in response to Rich839

Hello Rich,

I try dragging and dropping, which shows the plus symbol as I drag it onto iMovie, I've tried clicking on the import button on the project media, and with all of it, nothing happens. When I double click, or whether I press Import Media, and nothing happens. If I click the close button, it closes the media. It's like it stops when I try adding media to the project. I tired uninstalling iMovie and reinstalling it. Nothing. Not sure I understand the opening with options to delete preferences, but will try it again. No error messages show up, it just doesn't do nothing!

Sep 6, 2021 9:20 AM in response to The Didgmaster

What steps are you taking to import the videos, and what happens when you try? Any error message and, if so, what is the exact text?


Try deleting preferences and see if that cures it. To delete preferences, open iMovie while holding down the Option and Command keys and select to delete preferences in the box that appears. iMovie will open in a new library. Reopen your old library to get back to your projects.  Deleting preferences is a safe procedure that will not cause data loss or disruption to your project.


You might also try creating a new project and see if you can import into that one.


-- Rich

iMovie won't import videos

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