How to Crop Videos on iPhone: Step-by-Step

Cropping a video on your iPhone lets you remove unwanted edges, reframe the shot, or change the aspect ratio without leaving the Photos app. You can do this with any video saved to your iPhone, and the crop is non-destructive, meaning you can revert to the original later. All you need is your iPhone with iOS 13 or later and the video you want to edit.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone running iOS 13 or later (the Photos app is built-in)
• The video you want to crop saved to your Photos library

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone. Tap the Library tab at the bottom to see all your photos and videos.
2. Find the video you want to crop. You can scroll through your library or tap Search and type a keyword, date, or location. Tap the video to open it in full screen.
3. Tap Edit in the top-right corner of the screen. This opens the editing interface with a timeline at the bottom and a set of tools.
4. Tap the Crop tool (the icon that looks like a square with arrows around it) located at the bottom right, next to the filter icon. This switches to the crop and rotate view.
5. Adjust the crop frame: You’ll see a grid over the video. Drag any of the four corners or edges inward to crop. The area outside the frame will be dimmed, showing what will be removed.
6. Choose an aspect ratio (optional): Tap the rectangle icon with arrows in the top-right corner of the crop screen to see preset ratios like Original, Square, 4:3, 16:9, 5:4, and 9:16. Select one to snap the crop frame to that ratio. You can still drag the frame to reposition within that ratio.
7. Rotate or straighten (optional): Use the dial below the video to rotate the image or straighten a tilted horizon. Drag left or right; the grid will help you align.
8. Preview your crop: Tap the play button in the center to see how the cropped video looks. If you’re not satisfied, tap Cancel (top-left) to discard changes, or continue adjusting.
9. Tap Done (top-right) to save the cropped video. Your original video is preserved; the crop is saved as a new edit that you can undo anytime.

Common Mistakes

• Cropping too much: Removing too much of the video can cut off important subjects or make the video look zoomed in and pixelated. Always preview the result before saving.
• Forgetting to tap Done: If you exit the edit screen without tapping Done, your changes are discarded. Make sure to tap Done to save.
• Using the wrong aspect ratio: If you’re posting to Instagram or TikTok, you might want a 1:1 or 9:16 ratio. But if you’re sending to a friend, sticking to the original ratio is often best. Choose intentionally.
• Not checking the resolution: Cropping a video reduces its resolution because you’re effectively zooming in. If you crop too much, the video may look blurry when played full screen.

Tips

• Use the rule of thirds: The grid overlay helps you compose your shot. Place important subjects along the lines or at the intersections for a more balanced look.
• Straighten with the dial: If your video is slightly tilted, use the rotate dial to straighten it. The grid will help you align the horizon.
• Undo anytime: Cropping is non-destructive. To revert, open the video, tap Edit, then tap Revert in the bottom-right corner. This restores the original video.
• Use the magnifier: When dragging the crop corners, a magnifying glass appears to help you make precise adjustments.
• Check the result in full screen: After cropping, play the video in full screen to ensure the framing looks good and nothing important is cut off.

Troubleshooting

• Can’t find the Edit button: Make sure you have a video selected, not a photo. Also ensure your iPhone is running iOS 13 or later. If not, update your iPhone in Settings > General > Software Update.
• Changes are not saving: If you tap Done but the crop doesn’t stick, try force-quitting the Photos app (swipe up from the bottom and pause, then swipe the app away) and reopen it. Then try editing again.
• Video is playing but crop is not visible: You might be in the wrong mode. Make sure you tap the Crop tool (the square with arrows) after tapping Edit. The crop handles appear only in that mode.
• Revert option is grayed out: This means you haven’t made any edits yet, or you’ve already reverted. If you want to undo a crop, tap Revert before making any other changes.
• Cropped video looks blurry: This is normal because cropping reduces resolution. To minimize blur, avoid cropping too much. If you need high resolution, consider using a third-party app, but the built-in editor is fine for most casual use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does cropping a video on iPhone reduce quality?

Yes, cropping reduces the number of pixels in the video, which can make it look less sharp, especially when played full screen. The more you crop, the more noticeable the quality loss.

Can I crop a video to a specific aspect ratio like 16:9 or 4:3?

Yes. In the crop tool, tap the aspect ratio icon (top-right) and choose from presets like Square, 4:3, 16:9, 5:4, and 9:16. You can also use Original to keep the video’s native ratio.

Will cropping a video remove the audio?

No, cropping only affects the visual frame. The audio track remains unchanged and will still play in full.

Can I undo a crop after I’ve saved it?

Yes. Open the video, tap Edit, then tap Revert in the bottom-right corner. This will undo all edits, including the crop, and restore the original video.

Is there a way to crop a video without using the Photos app?

Yes, you can use third-party apps like iMovie or Clips, but the Photos app is the quickest and requires no extra downloads. iMovie offers more advanced editing features if you need them.

Can I crop a video on an older iPhone with iOS 12 or earlier?

The built-in crop tool is available in iOS 13 and later. If you have an older iOS, you can still use iMovie, which is free and supports older versions, or update your iPhone if possible.

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