How To Add Subtitles In iMovie (For Mac, iPhone, iPad)

Video editing and subtitles play a crucial role in making content accessible to a wider audience. Whether you’re editing a project on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad using iMovie, adding subtitles or captions can improve the reach and clarity of your videos. 

Adding subtitles or captions to your videos in iMovie not only enhances the viewing experience for people who are hearing-impaired but also improves audience engagement, especially when videos are watched in silent mode on mobile devices. Fortunately, iMovie offers several user-friendly features to help you easily insert and format subtitles.

How to Add Subtitles in iMovie (Mac, iPhone, iPad)

Whether you are using a Mac, iPhone, or iPad, the steps to add subtitles in iMovie are intuitive. Let’s start by explaining the process for each device.

How to Add Subtitles in iMovie on Mac

On macOS, iMovie is an excellent tool for creating polished videos with the ability to add text overlays, including subtitles. Here’s a detailed guide on how to insert subtitles in iMovie for Mac:

Open iMovie and Start a New Project

Launch iMovie and start a new project by clicking the “+” sign. Import the video to which you want to add subtitles by selecting the “Import Media” button. This video will be displayed in the timeline.

Select the Text Tool for Subtitles

To insert subtitles, head to the “Titles” tab in the iMovie toolbar. This will give you several options for different styles of text overlays. For subtitles, choose a simple option such as “Lower Third” or “Standard Title.”

Insert Subtitles

Drag the selected title option onto the timeline, placing it over the video clip where you want the subtitle to appear. You can now type the subtitle text in the viewer window.

Adjust Timing and Placement

Extend or reduce the duration of the subtitle by dragging the ends of the title bar in the timeline. You can also move the text to different parts of the screen by dragging it in the preview window. This is useful when you need to move text in iMovie for better visibility.

Customize the Text

Use the formatting options available in the Text Inspector to change the font, size, and color of your subtitles. Ensure that your subtitles are easy to read and placed in a non-distracting location on the video.

Review and Save

Once you’re satisfied with the subtitles, review the video by playing it back in the preview window. If everything looks good, click “File” > “Save” or “Export” to save the video with subtitles.

How to Add Subtitles in iMovie on iPhone or iPad

Adding subtitles in iMovie on iOS devices is similar to the process on Mac but with slight variations due to the touchscreen interface.

Launch iMovie and Create a Project

Open the iMovie app on your iPhone or iPad and create a new project. Import the video that requires subtitles by tapping the “+” sign and selecting the desired file.

Access Text Option

In the timeline, tap on the video clip where you want to add subtitles. A toolbar will appear at the bottom; tap the “T” icon (Text) to access the subtitle options.

Choose a Subtitle Style

iMovie for iPhone and iPad offers various text styles. Choose a simple option like “Standard” or “Lower” for clean and professional subtitles. Avoid flashy styles unless they fit the theme of your video.

Type Your Subtitles

After selecting the style, type the text for your subtitles. The text will appear on your video in real-time, allowing you to preview how it looks as you type.

Adjust Subtitle Timing

Use your finger to drag the text box on the timeline, adjusting when the subtitle appears and how long it stays on the screen. Make sure it syncs correctly with the spoken words in your video.

Save the Project

Once you’ve added all your subtitles, tap “Done” to exit the editing interface. You can now save or export your video with subtitles by tapping the “Share” icon and selecting your desired export method.

Using FileTranscribe to Generate Subtitles and Captions for iMovie

If you’re looking for an easier and more accurate way to add subtitles in iMovie, FileTranscribe is an excellent solution. This video captioning software for macOS allows users to generate subtitles and captions automatically, saving you the time and effort of manually adding text.

FileTranscribe offers both a free and a paid version. The free version provides basic transcription and subtitle services, perfect for smaller or less complex projects. However, for more professional results, the paid version is highly recommended. It supports advanced features such as higher accuracy rates, faster processing times, and better formatting options, making it ideal for those who need precise and polished subtitles.

Once you’ve generated your subtitles using FileTranscribe, you can easily import them into iMovie by following the same steps mentioned earlier. While iMovie does not directly support SRT files, you can manually copy the text from your FileTranscribe transcript and paste it into the iMovie text tool.

Subtitles vs. Captions in iMovie

It’s essential to distinguish between subtitles and captions when using iMovie. Subtitles are typically used for translating spoken dialogue into another language or making the audio understandable for those who don’t have access to sound. Captions, however, include additional information like sound effects and speaker identification, mainly used for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

In iMovie, both can be achieved by following the same steps to add text. However, if you’re creating captions (instead of simple subtitles), you may want to include more detailed descriptions of sounds and non-verbal elements.

Troubleshooting Common iMovie Subtitle Issues

Sometimes users run into challenges when working with subtitles in iMovie. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

Why iMovie not in lowercase

if you’re trying to type subtitles in lowercase and iMovie defaults to uppercase, check the font style. Some iMovie fonts are in all caps by default, so switch to a different font that allows for lowercase letters.

Can’t join clip in iMovie

If iMovie won’t let you join clips after inserting subtitles, it might be due to differences in video formats or resolutions. Try adjusting the format settings of the clips or reimporting them into the project.

Why iMovie can’t accept pictures on Mac

If you’re having trouble importing images to add alongside subtitles in iMovie, ensure that the file format of the image is compatible (JPEG, PNG). If not, convert it to a supported format.

How to Move Text in iMovie

iMovie allows flexibility when placing subtitles. If your subtitles block important parts of the video, you can easily move them. Click on the text in the preview window and drag it to a new location, such as the bottom or top of the screen.

On iPhone or iPad, the text can be moved by simply touching and dragging it to the desired location.

How to Add Subtitles to iMovie with External Subtitle Files

If you’re working with professional subtitling workflows or have an SRT file (a common subtitle file format), you might be wondering how to insert SRT into MP4 in iMovie. Unfortunately, iMovie doesn’t support SRT files directly. However, you can manually copy the text from the SRT file and follow the steps above to paste the subtitles into iMovie.

Additional Tips for Working in iMovie

• How to save a video on iMovie: Saving videos in iMovie is simple. Click “File” > “Save Project” for a draft, or “File” > “Export” to save the final video.
• Best way to transfer iMovie full by email: Large video files may be too big for standard email. Use a cloud service like iCloud or Google Drive and send a shareable link.
• Does iMovie save automatically: iMovie saves projects automatically as you work, but it’s always a good idea to manually save your progress often.
• How do I save a video in iMovie: To save a video, click the “Share” button in the upper-right corner and choose your export settings.
• Cut shortcut iMovie: Use Command + B to cut clips in iMovie, making it easier to split videos while adding subtitles.

FAQs

How do I add text to iMovie on Mac?

To add text, go to the Titles section in iMovie and drag a title template onto your video clip in the timeline.

How can I add captions in iMovie?

Follow the same steps for adding subtitles. Choose a clear, readable title style to display captions effectively.

How do I move text in iMovie?

In the preview window, click and drag the text to reposition it anywhere on the screen.

Can I import SRT files into iMovie?

No, iMovie does not support SRT files. However, you can manually input subtitles using the text tool.

How do you add music to iMovie on Mac?

To add music, drag your audio file into the timeline below the video track.

Does iMovie automatically save my projects?

Yes, iMovie saves your project as you work, but manual saving is recommended for safety.