Cannot export iMovie videos to Photos after iOS 27 update.

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crh1957 Author

Level 1

34 points

Cannot export iMovie videos to Photos after iOS 27 update.

Problem with exporting videos taken on iPhone 16 (after iOS 27 update) and edited with iMovie (version 3.0.5) on iPad Mini 6 (iOS 27)

HELP please!! I have an iPhone 16 and yesterday downloaded iOS 27.0.1. In the afternoon I took some videos and edited them in iMovie on my iPad mini 6 but I was unable to export the movie to my Photos. Each video plays ok in the Photo app. In iMovie, I tried deleting each video one at a time and then trying to export the remainder in order to find which one, if any, might be faulty, but at no stage was I able to export successfully.

I tried turning both iPhone & iPad off and then on again. I downloaded the 27.0.1 update on my iPad - still couldn’t export the movie. I deleted the iMovie app and reinstalled it but still says export error. I’ve never had this problem before. I tried importing and editing an older video (shot pre the iOS 27 update) and was able to export it to Photos, but I can’t do it with the videos taken post the iOS 27 update.

Is there something in the Camera update that is stopping the new videos from exporting from iMovie to Photos?

iPhone 16

Posted on Oct 12, 2026 8:10 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

crh1957 Author

Level 1

34 points

Oct 13, 2026 2:22 AM in response to crh1957

Turns out, after a lot of help from AI, the iMovie app version used by iPad Mini 6 does not support the HEVC video format used by the iPhone camera after updating to iOS 27. I had to encode the original videos using the Shortcuts App and convert the videos from HEVC to H.264. From there I could import them into iMovie, do my editing then export the project back to Photos. I’ve also had to set my iphone Camera > Record Video setting to 1080p HD, toggle off the HDR Video setting, and in Camera > Formats, change the setting from High Efficiency to Most Compatible so that my future videos will be able to be edited using iMovie on my iPad and still be able to be exported back to Photos. Hopefully future iMovie updates for iPad will allow support for HEVC video format.

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Answer 2

crh1957 Author

Level 1

34 points

Oct 21, 2026 3:51 PM in response to Marcelo253

Have you tried my solution of using the Apple Shortcuts app to reformat (re-encode) your videos? I don’t know if you’re using iMovie on your iPad or another device.

AI was able to give me the step by step instructions but unfortunately I don’t have them anymore. I do have the steps I used saved in my Shortcuts app though and I’ve taken a screenshot (above) of them. In the first step you just select the videos you want to change from HEVC (that is, the videos you have taken since the iOS 27 update). In the second step, you tap on the “size” option and select 1920x1080. In the third step, you save the encoded media to whatever album you want in your Photo library (in my case, I had a “Sits” album already created in Photos.

Then until Apple fix this iMovie on iPad problem with an update, you need to change your settings in your iPhone. Camera > Record Video setting to 1080p HD, toggle off the HDR Video setting, and in Camera > Formats, change the setting from High Efficiency to Most Compatible so that my future videos will be able to be edited using iMovie on my iPad and still be able to be exported back to Photos. Hopefully future iMovie updates for iPad will allow support for HEVC video format.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 3

Bolle040

Level 1

18 points

Oct 26, 2026 5:32 AM in response to crh1957

I’m experiencing the same thing. I’ve discovered that, in my case, it has to do with videos that have been trimmed within the iPhone’s Photos app. If I only use original, untrimmed videos, I am able to export them.

Hopefully, this can be resolved in an update

p.s. new update solve the problem for me.

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Answer 4

Oct 19, 2026 11:57 AM in response to crh1957

I switched to VN editor, which was easier to use and moved it right to my photos. Shame on you, iMovie for not thinking this through better.

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Answer 5

Oct 21, 2026 11:28 AM in response to Marcelo253

I switched to VN editor, which was easier to use and moved it right to my photos. Shame on you, iMovie for not thinking this through better.

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Answer 6

Oct 21, 2026 7:43 AM in response to crh1957

I am having a similar issue With iOS 27 and iMovie. I edit a video in iMovie, And then when I try to export it to Photos, I get an error If I try to export it to Files, I get the timeout wheel of death. I am able to export the project to a file but completely unable to export the finished product. Since I handle content creation for our business, this is a serious issue. Never had this problem until I updated to iOS 27.0.1

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Answer 7

Oct 22, 2026 12:17 PM in response to crh1957

This is very helpful of you. Thanks for this detailed solution. I do not want to change my video settings as a workaround as I need the highest quality videos. As others suggested, I am temporarily switching to VN Editor which is working great.

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Answer 8

crh1957 Author

Level 1

34 points

Oct 19, 2026 4:06 PM in response to MarvinoAdventures

Thanks. I hadn’t heard of that app. I’ll take a look.

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