📱 Tech Tip: iMovie on iPhone — Part 2

Making your photo movie flow

This follows on from last week’s Tech Tip, where we added photos and created a first iMovie project on the iPhone.

This step is about a few simple adjustments that make your movie flow better and feel easier to watch. Nothing complicated — just small tweaks that make a noticeable difference.

⏱️ Adjust the timing of your photos

When you add photos, iMovie automatically sets how long each one stays on screen.

• Tap a photo in the timeline — it will be outlined in yellow
• Go to the end of the clip
• Drag the edge from right to left to shorten it
• Aim for around 2 seconds

Two seconds is usually enough time to take a photo in, without it lingering.

🔍 Control the zoom (Ken Burns)

iMovie adds gentle movement (zooming) to photos by default.

• Tap a photo in the timeline — it will be outlined in yellow
• Tap the crop icon
  (it looks like a square with arrows — not the scissors)
• Choose:
  • Ken Burns to keep the movement
  • Fit to turn it off

Ken Burns often works well for landscapes and wider scenes.
For text, screenshots, or close-ups, Fit usually looks cleaner.

🔁 Adjust transitions between photos

Between each photo in the timeline, you’ll see a small square icon.

• Tap the small square between two photos
• Choose a transition:
  • Dissolve — soft and natural
  • Fade — calmer and more reflective
  • None — clean and simple

Using the same transition throughout helps the movie feel joined-up and less fussy.

🎵 Add music (optional)

Music can add atmosphere, but it’s not essential.

• Tap the + icon
• Tap Audio
• Choose Soundtracks (safe to use if you’re sharing online)

Once the music is added:

• Tap the music strip in the timeline
• Lower the volume

The photos should always lead. The music just sits underneath.

🏷️ Name your project

Before leaving iMovie, it’s worth naming your project.

• Tap Done to return to the Projects screen
• Your movie will usually be called “My Movie”
• Tap the title, rename it, then tap Done

A small step, but it makes finding projects later much easier.

📤 Export your movie

When you’re happy with how everything looks:

• Tap Done
• Tap the Share icon
• Choose Video
• Select 1080p

Your movie is saved to the Photos app.
You’ll usually find it in Albums → Videos, as well as in your main photo library.

Final thought

The iPhone version of iMovie keeps things refreshingly simple. Fewer options, fewer decisions — and a much better chance of actually finishing a project.

The Mac version can wait for another day.