How to Create and Edit Videos in Apple Clips

Apple Clips lets you combine short video clips and photos, add titles, music, stickers, and effects, then save or share a finished video. You’ll need an iPhone or iPad with Clips installed, plus footage to record or import; the exact buttons can vary slightly by app version.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone or iPad with the Clips app installed and updated, if available for your device.
Permission for Clips to access the camera, microphone, and photos you plan to use.
A few seconds of recorded footage or photos. For recording, use a quiet, well-lit place and hold the device steadily.
Optional: headphones for checking audio and enough free device storage to save the finished video.

Step-by-Step

Start a project. Open Clips. If prompted, allow camera and microphone access to record, or photo access to select media. Tap the new-project control if shown. Clips projects are assembled from individual segments, so you can make changes as you go rather than editing one long timeline.
Record your first segment. Aim the camera at your subject. On the recording screen, press and hold the red Record button for the length of the shot, then release to stop. Some versions let you lock recording by swiping up on the button; if so, tap it again to finish. Keep each shot focused on one moment, and avoid moving the camera abruptly.
Add existing video or photos. Tap the media or library button, choose a video or photo, and select the portion you want if Clips offers trimming controls. For a video, drag the in and out handles to keep the useful part, then use Add or Add to Project. A photo can be held on screen for a chosen duration or animated with a pan-and-zoom effect, depending on the controls available.
Build the sequence. Record or add more segments in the order you want them to appear. Clips generally places each new segment after the previous one. Tap a segment in the strip or timeline to select it. Drag segments to rearrange them where supported, or use the segment’s edit controls to move, duplicate, or delete it. Play the project after changes to check that the order makes sense.
Trim or remove unwanted footage. Select the segment you want to edit and choose its trim control, if available. Move the start and end handles until the shot begins and ends cleanly, then confirm. To remove a segment, select it and tap the trash or delete control. Review the surrounding shots afterward so the cut does not leave an awkward pause or repeat.
Add captions or a title. Tap Live Titles, the speech-bubble or text control, and choose a style. Speak while recording if you want spoken words converted into on-screen captions, or use the available text-entry option to enter a title. Review the wording and timing; automatic captions can mishear names and noisy speech. Select a segment and apply the title, then preview it to ensure it stays visible long enough to read.
Add effects and graphics. Use the effects, filter, sticker, or emoji controls to decorate a selected segment. Choose one effect at a time, preview it, and remove or change it if it hides the subject. Some graphics may follow faces or move with the shot, while others stay in a fixed position. Availability depends on the device and Clips version.
Choose a soundtrack. Tap the music-note control and browse the available soundtracks or choose a song from the options Clips provides. Preview the track and select it to apply it to the project. If you use sound recorded with your video, check that the music does not overpower speech. Music options can depend on the app, device, and media permissions.
Preview and save. Play the whole video from the beginning. Check captions, cuts, sound levels, and the final frame. Tap Done or the project navigation control to leave editing, then use the Share button to save the video to Photos or send it through an available sharing option. If you need a particular format or resolution, check the export choices shown on your device rather than assuming every version offers the same settings.

Common Mistakes

Holding Record for too long: Long takes are harder to trim and can make a short social video feel slow. Record focused segments and remove dead time.
Forgetting to select a segment: Effects and titles may apply only to the currently selected clip. Tap the intended segment first, then confirm the result in playback.
Trusting captions without review: Background noise, accents, and unfamiliar words can produce errors. Read every caption and correct mistakes before sharing.
Adding too many effects: Multiple stickers, filters, and titles can compete with the subject. Keep only elements that help viewers follow the story.
Not checking audio: Music may cover speech, or a clip may have unwanted background noise. Listen through the finished project before exporting.
Leaving too little space or time: A full device or a very brief title can spoil the export or make text difficult to read. Check available storage and preview titles at normal playback speed.

Tips

Plan a simple beginning, middle, and ending before recording. A short outline helps you capture only the shots you need.
Clean the camera lens and use steady, even lighting. Face a window or other soft light source where possible, rather than placing bright light directly behind the subject.
Record a few extra seconds at the start and end of a shot. That gives you room to trim without cutting off a word or movement.
Keep the framing and orientation consistent across segments unless a change is intentional. Mixed orientations can create distracting black space or cropping.
Use a title early enough for viewers to read it, and avoid placing text over faces or important details.
Save a copy to Photos before sharing elsewhere. Keep the project in Clips if you expect to revise its segments or effects later.

Troubleshooting

Clips will not record: Open the device’s Settings, find Clips, and check that Camera and Microphone access are enabled. Close and reopen the app. If access is enabled but recording still fails, restart the device and check for an app or system update.
Photos or videos do not appear: Confirm Clips has permission to access the relevant media. If your device offers limited photo access, add the specific items you want to use or change access in Settings. Wait for cloud-stored media to download before importing it.
The project will not save or export: Check available storage, close other apps, and try saving again. Make sure the device remains awake while the export completes. If it fails repeatedly, restart the device and try exporting a shorter copy to identify whether one segment is causing the problem.
Captions are missing or inaccurate: Check that the correct segment is selected and that Live Titles are enabled for it. Record in a quieter place, speak clearly, and edit the caption text if your version supports manual correction.
Music or sound is missing: Preview the project with the device volume up and check whether the segment’s audio or soundtrack has been muted. Reopen the music controls and reselect the track. If a song is unavailable, choose another option offered by Clips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a video I already recorded?
Yes. Import it from your photo library, choose the portion you want, and add it to the project. You can combine it with other segments and apply available edits.

Can I add my own words as captions?
Clips can create Live Titles from speech, and some versions provide text-entry or correction options. Check the title controls in your version; automatic recognition should always be reviewed.

How do I delete one clip without deleting the project?
Select the unwanted segment in the project strip and tap its delete or trash control. Preview the edit to make sure you removed only the intended segment.

Can I save a Clips video to my iPhone or iPad?
Yes. Open the project’s Share menu and choose the option to save the video to Photos, if displayed. Allow the export to finish before closing the app.

Can I change the video after sharing it?
You can edit the project in Clips and export a new copy. A video already shared or saved is a rendered version, so changes to the project do not automatically update that copy.

Does Clips work on every iPhone or iPad?
No. Compatibility depends on the device and the version of iOS or iPadOS it can run. Check the app’s current listing and your device’s software compatibility before installing.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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