Level 1

23 points

Stuck on iMovie Needed Permissions

I launched iMovie on my iPhone 16 Pro Max (running 18.1.1). It prompted me for access to my Photo Library and music. It already had Limited Access. I did not change this. It shows the “Needed Permissions” page. When I click on the “Continue” button, the button fades but nothing happens after that.

I went to Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos > iMovie and changed this to “Full Access”. I re-launched iMovie. On the “Needed Permissions” page, “Photo Library Access” has a green check mark. I tap “Continue”. It fades and nothing happens after that.

I changed the access to “None”. It’s still the same.

I powered off and powered on the iPhone and it’s still the same. I restarted iPhone and it’s still the same.

I tried changing the settings at Settings > Apps > iMovie, but it’s still the same.

I updated to iOS 18.2. Still stuck on “Needed Permissions”.

I have approximately 700GB of photos/videos. I left the “Needed Permissions” page (after tapping “Continue”) in the foreground overnight. Nothing happened.

How do I get past the “Needed Permissions” page?

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Dec 12, 2024 3:36 AM

Top-ranking reply

ObiJonSolo

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Dec 13, 2024 6:55 PM

Please ignore all other clever ideas as Allow/Disallow, green check, etc. does nothing. As of today (12/13) deleting the iMovie app and reloading it works perfectly. The problem occurs when you skip past the popup for music on the initial launch and there is no way to recover from it. Apple will fix it at some point, but dropping the app and reloading it (about 10 seconds for me) saved me from reading anymore less-than-helpful suggestions. :)

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35 replies

carolmuy

Level 1

8 points

Jan 6, 2025 12:21 PM in response to VanceMcCook

Glad it’s not just me. Now I’m using CapCut for the simple editing I need to do. Maybe someday Apple will update iMovie so it works for all of us.

curt0 Author

Level 1

23 points

Dec 13, 2024 5:33 AM in response to Bein_helpful

Bein_helpful,

Thanks for your suggestion.

I went there. “Content & Pivacy Restrictions” was turned off and everything below it was greyed out. I turned it on.

Media & Apple Music was already on “Allow” and Photos was already turned on.

I launched iMovie and am still stuck on “Needed Permissions”.

I restarted iPhone and relaunched iMovie, but it is the same. Any other possible suggestion?

curt0 Author

Level 1

23 points

Dec 13, 2024 10:58 AM in response to Bein_helpful

On the “Needed Permissions” page, there is a green check mark for Photo Library Access, but no mark for Music Access.

I have the following:

Screen Time->Content & Privacy->Photos->Allow->iMovie->Full Access

Screen Time->Content & Privacy->Media & Apple Music->Allow->Allow Changes and Photos turned on.

But the following does not exist:

Screen Time->Content & Privacy->Media & Apple Music->Allow->iMovie

I made a change to:

Screen Time->Content & Privacy-> Media & Apple Music->Don’t Allow Changes

I re-launched iMovie. It showed a green check mark for Photo Library Access, a red check mark for Music Access and a “Go to Settings” button. I tapped it and it took me to Settings>Apps>iMovie. But this does not have any setting for music, so there’s nothing I can do to change the red check mark for Music Access to green.

What should I do next?

curt0 Author

Level 1

23 points

Dec 13, 2024 2:59 PM in response to Bein_helpful

I shut down iMovie, went to Media & Apple Music>changed to Don’t Allow Changes> backed out > went in > changed to Allow Changes > backed out > went in > restarted iPhone > launched iMovie, got “Needed Permissions” which showed a green check mark for Photo Library Access, no mark for Music Access and “Continue” button. I tap on the button, it fades and nothing else happens.

It would seem that the problem is that iMovie does not appear as a setting option in Media & Apple Music for me. Am I correct to assume that this appears for you?

I could not find any general permission setting for Media & Apple Music.

Dec 13, 2024 5:25 PM in response to curt0

Yes it’s an option for me under Media & Apple Music. Maybe at the App level you have some restrictions?

I have iOS 17, not sure if 18 added more restrictions or permissions like under Screen Time.

curt0 Author

Level 1

23 points

Dec 14, 2024 6:56 AM in response to ObiJonSolo

Thanks for your input.

According to this

https://search.brave.com/search?q=can+i+uninstall+imovie+fon+iphone%3F&source=ios&summary=1

We cannot uninstall iMovie because it’s a pre-installed app. Have you used the reinstalled app and found no problems? Did you lose any of your projects?

I had chatted with Apple support and they told me to reset locations and privacy, but I have settings for dozens and dozens of apps that I would need to manually put back.

carolmuy

Level 1

8 points

Dec 17, 2024 1:00 PM in response to ivaf822

I just now tried the reset instructions above. It’s still stuck at permissions. I ended up using a different editing app for now. I’ll troubleshoot this at some point if another iMovie update doesn’t solve it. Thanks.

M9T4K66

Level 1

12 points

Dec 29, 2024 7:48 AM in response to ObiJonSolo

Did you lose all your previous movie projects when you did that. I switched to a linux editor and put a new ipad purchase on hold until apple fixes this. There is no reason for apple to have full access to Photos and vids.

agemuc

Level 1

12 points

Dec 13, 2024 1:10 AM in response to Bein_helpful

Same issue here. Changing screen time settings doesn’t help.

Jojo2316

Level 1

8 points

Dec 14, 2024 1:59 PM in response to Georgia_Girl1974

I have a 100th birthday that I worked on and now can’t retrieve. If I uninstall and reinstall will I loose all my work?

Jojo2316

Level 1

8 points

Dec 14, 2024 2:09 PM in response to Jojo2316

I missed the thread from joelfromwollstonecraft’s Profile - Apple Community

as this worked and didn’t loose anything. Thank you 🙏

curt0 Author

Level 1

23 points

Dec 15, 2024 3:09 PM in response to joelfromwollstonecraft

I have settings for dozens and dozens of apps for Location and Privacy. If you reset these, don’t you have to spend a lot of time to put back your settings for your apps?

Dec 15, 2024 5:03 PM in response to joelfromwollstonecraft

Thank youuuu! This worked for me!

Dec 16, 2024 4:18 AM in response to curt0

This worked for me thank you!

carolmuy

Level 1

8 points

Dec 16, 2024 3:16 PM in response to ivaf822

After updating just now and restarting my phone….Let’s me say full access but still gets stuck on screen saying I need permissions. Help!!!!

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Stuck on iMovie Needed Permissions