iMovie saves projects in its own format by default, but you can easily export your finished iMovie project as an MP4 file. Here’s how to do it:
Quick Answer
To save an iMovie project as an MP4 file, click the Share button (the square with an arrow) in the top-right corner of iMovie, select “File,” choose your desired settings, and click “Next.” Name your file, select a save location, and click “Save.” Your project will be exported as an MP4 file.
Step-by-step Exporting iMovie to MP4
On Mac:
- Open your iMovie project that you want to export
- Click the Share button (the square with an upward-pointing arrow) in the top-right corner of the window
- Select “File” from the dropdown menu
- Choose your export settings:
- Resolution (4K, 1080p, 720p, etc.)
- Quality (High, Medium, Low)
- Compression (Faster, Better Quality)
- Click “Next”
- Name your file and choose where to save it
- Click “Save”
- Wait for the export to complete (the time depends on your video length and quality settings)
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open your iMovie project
- Tap the Share button (square with upward arrow) at the bottom of the screen
- Select “Save Video”
- Choose your resolution (4K, 1080p, 720p, etc.)
- Tap “Save” and select where you want to save the file
- The video will be exported as an MP4 file to your Photos app
Here is the short video instruction from David Battersby. It is not new, but still solves the problem.
Tips for Better MP4 Exports
- Choose the right resolution: Higher resolution (like 4K) looks better but creates larger files and takes longer to export
- Consider your end use: If sharing online, 1080p is usually sufficient; if viewing on a large 4K TV, consider using 4K resolution
- Check available storage: Make sure you have enough free space on your device before exporting high-quality videos
- Export during downtime: Exporting large videos can be processor-intensive and may slow down your device
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Export Taking Too Long
If your export seems to be taking forever, try:
- Closing other applications to free up system resources
- Reducing the export resolution or quality
- Breaking a very long project into smaller segments
Export Failed
If your export fails:
- Restart iMovie and try again
- Check that you have sufficient storage space
- Update iMovie to the latest version
- Restart your device and try again
Poor Quality in Exported Video
If your exported video looks worse than expected:
- Make sure you selected “Better Quality” instead of “Faster” in the export settings
- Check that you’ve chosen an appropriate resolution
- Verify that your original footage is high quality (exporting can’t improve poor original footage)
Conclusion
Exporting your iMovie projects to MP4 format makes them easy to share, play on virtually any device, and upload to video sharing sites. By following the simple steps above, you can save your creative work in a widely compatible format while maintaining the quality of your video.
