Can not import Imovie file from Iphone to Macbook

Here are the instructions for sharing your IOS iMovie. Is this how you did it?

1. To open the Projects browser, tap Projects at the top of the screen.If you don’t see Projects at the top of the screen, tap Done or until it appears.
2. Scroll the projects, then tap one to see project details.
3. In the project details screen, tap the Share button , then tap one of the following options:
   • AirDrop: Share wirelessly to a nearby Mac using AirDrop.
   • iTunes: Transfer the file to a Mac using iTunes and a USB cable connection.
   • iCloud Drive: Save the file to iCloud Drive and retrieve it with your Mac.
   Note: For more information about each of these methods, see Share to other devices or apps.
4. When prompted, choose the iMovie Project option (not the Video File option).
5. When the project file has finished copying, locate it on your Mac.Note: By default, AirDrop transfers appear in your Downloads folder. Projects sent to iCloud Drive appear in the iMovie folder in iCloud Drive.
6. On your Mac, double-click the iMovie for iOS project file to import your project into iMovie for Mac.Important: This step requires iMovie for Mac 10.1 or later.All of your editing decisions, retiming changes, effects, filters, titles, and theme music choices are retained in the project when you open it in iMovie for Mac.
7. Here are the instructions for importing to iMovie on your Mac.

Import an iMovie for iOS project

1. Choose File > Import iMovie iOS Projects.
2. Navigate to the location of the iMovie for iOS project you want to import, and select it.
3. If you have more than one library open in iMovie, click the Library pop-up menu at the bottom of the window and choose the library you want to import the project into.
4. Click Import.
5. Just posted these so you can make sure your workflow is correct. If so and still can't open your project try opening iMovie on your Mac holding down the command and option keys and select to delete preferences. Then reopen your library and try the import again.

Sorry the problem is not solved. The only thoughts I have that you might still try are:

1. Update your phone to 11.2.5.

2. Create a new short project on your phone and see if iMovie will import it. This would eliminate the possibility of a corrupted project.

3. Create a new Library in iMovie on your Mac and see if you can import into that Library.

That's about all I can think of at this point to try. Hope you find the solution.

Sorry to say, but it will not import for me either. Tried to import both from the iMovie file menu and from right clicking the file and choosing open in iMovie. In both cases the import bar gets about halfway across and then throws an error message, unable to import. Either there is a problem with the file or an incompatibility with 10.1.8. Is your iMovie for iOS up to date? Is 2.2.4 the latest version?

You may have identified the problem when you mention HEVC codec. You need High Sierra to read HEVC files and you said that you have Sierra 10.12.6. You can try going into settings on your phone and into camera and choose H-264 instead of HEVC for new videos. For existing HEVC videos in settings select most compatible for sharing and it will share using H-264, Hope this helps. To send a report to Apple go to the iMOvie menu item and select provide iMovie feedback.

solution: don’t use HEVC …. change to “most compatible”

For iOS 11.2.6 Settings < Camera < Formats < Check off “Most Compatible”

This allows videos to be loaded directly into iMovie and FCP. Otherwise you need to upgrade FCP 10.3 to FCP 10.4.

I am using High Sierra and files would still not import. Also, I have all my footage in HEVC format, so just changing the format of future videos doesn't help. Is there no other way to import existing project to imovie on mac?

JIm is right. HEVC shouldn't be a problem with iMovie 10.1.8 and High Sierra. However, if you want to transfer your HEVC vids in the most compatible format, while still keeping the originals in HEVC on your iPhone, in iOS11 go to Settings > Photos and in the "Transfer to Mac" section tap "Keep Originals".

-- Rich

Hey Jim,

I tried using airdrop first, but also tried to save the iOS project in iMovie iCloud and then open it from Mac, but didn't work either. From those two options I tried double clicking the project file and also "import iMovie project..".

I don't know what image capture is?

Cheers!

Image capture is an apple application that is included in your OS. You will find it in the Applications folder. It is used to transfer photos and videos from your phone to Mac. I don't know if it will transfer IOS iMovie files or not. When you tap on share on your phone from iMovie what share options do you see besides Airdrop?

How are you trying to import? Are you going to the file menu in iMovie and selecting import iMovie IOS projects?