How to Change Video from Portrait to Landscape on iPhone

Changing a video from portrait to landscape on an iPhone can be a useful editing skill to have, especially if you want to create professional-looking videos or share them on platforms that display landscape videos. In this blog post, we will explore various methods that can help you achieve this transformation. We will discuss step-by-step instructions for each method, along with their pros and cons. So, let’s dive in and learn how to change a video from portrait to landscape on an iPhone.

Why You Need to Change Video from Portrait to Landscape

  • Improved Video Quality: Landscape videos are more commonly used and preferred on various platforms, including social media. By converting your video from portrait to landscape, you ensure that it fits well and doesn’t have unnecessary black bars or cropped content.
  • Enhanced Viewing Experience: Landscape videos provide a more immersive and natural viewing experience. By changing the orientation of your video to landscape, you can capture more of the scene and engage your audience better.
  • Professional Appeal: Landscape videos are often associated with professional content creation. If you want to elevate the quality of your videos and make them look more polished, converting them to landscape is a necessary step.
  • Compatibility: Many video editing software and platforms are optimized for landscape videos. By changing the orientation of your video, you ensure better compatibility with editing tools and sharing platforms.

Video Tutorial:

Part 1. Using iMovie

Method:
Before we proceed with the steps, it’s important to note that iMovie is a powerful video editing application available for iPhones. It offers various features, including the ability to change the orientation of videos.
Steps:
1. Open iMovie on your iPhone.
2. Tap the "+" button to start a new project.
3. Select "Movie" from the options.
4. Import the video you want to convert from portrait to landscape by tapping the "Import Media" button.
5. Tap and hold the video clip in your timeline.
6. Select the "Crop to Fill" option from the pop-up menu.
7. Adjust the frame by dragging the corners to fit the landscape orientation.
8. Tap "Done" to save your changes.
Pros:

  1. Offers precise control over video orientation.
  2. Allows adjustments to the frame for a perfect fit.
  3. Integrated with other editing features in iMovie.

Cons:

  1. Requires installing iMovie (not pre-installed on all iPhones).
  2. May have a learning curve for beginners.
  3. Only available on iOS devices.

Part 2. Using Video Rotate & Flip

Method:
Video Rotate & Flip is a dedicated video editing app designed for iOS devices. It provides a straightforward approach to changing the orientation of your videos.
Steps:
1. Install the Video Rotate & Flip app from the App Store.
2. Open the app and tap the "+" button to import your video.
3. Select the video you want to convert from portrait to landscape.
4. Tap the "Rotate" icon to access the rotation options.
5. Choose the "90 Degrees" option to rotate the video to landscape orientation.
6. Tap "Save" to save the changes.
Pros:

  1. Simple and user-friendly interface.
  2. Provides quick rotation options for landscape conversion.
  3. Offers a range of other video editing features.

Cons:

  1. May display ads in the free version.
  2. Requires installing a separate app.
  3. Some advanced features may require a paid subscription.

Part 3. Using Photos App

Method:
The Photos app on your iPhone also provides basic video editing capabilities, including the ability to rotate videos.
Steps:
1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone.
2. Find the video you want to convert to landscape.
3. Tap on the "Edit" button.
4. Tap the "Crop" icon at the bottom of the screen.
5. Rotate the video using the rotation handles until it aligns with the landscape orientation.
6. Tap "Done" to save the changes.
Pros:

  1. No need to install additional apps.
  2. Editing features are included with the iPhone.
  3. Simple and quick process.

Cons:

  1. Limited control over video orientation.
  2. Only basic editing features available.
  3. No frame adjustment options.

Part 4. Using Online Video Editors

Method:
If you prefer not to install any apps on your iPhone, you can utilize online video editors for landscape conversion.
Steps:
1. Open a web browser on your iPhone and search for online video editors.
2. Select a reputable and user-friendly online video editor.
3. Follow the instructions to import your video.
4. Look for an option to rotate the video.
5. Rotate the video to the landscape orientation.
6. Save the edited video to your device.
Pros:

  1. No need to download any apps.
  2. Accessible from any device with an internet connection.
  3. Provides additional video editing features.

Cons:

  1. Dependent on internet connection and browser compatibility.
  2. May have limitations on file size and length.
  3. Security concerns when uploading videos online.

What to Do If You Can’t Change Video from Portrait to Landscape

If you’re facing difficulties or constraints in changing your video from portrait to landscape on your iPhone, don’t worry. Here are three alternative solutions you can consider:
1. Use a video editing software on your computer: Transfer your video to a computer and utilize professional video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro to change the orientation.
2. Seek help from a professional video editor: If you’re not confident in your own editing skills or prefer a high-quality result, consider hiring a professional video editor who can handle the task for you.
3. Shoot in landscape orientation next time: If you frequently find yourself needing to convert videos from portrait to landscape, try shooting your videos in landscape orientation from the start. This can save you time and effort in post-production editing.

Bonus Tips

Here are three bonus tips to further enhance your video editing skills on an iPhone:
1. Explore other video editing apps: Besides the methods mentioned in this blog post, there are numerous video editing apps available on the App Store. Take some time to explore and experiment with different apps to find the one that suits your needs and preferences.
2. Combine multiple videos: If you have multiple portrait videos that you want to convert to landscape, you can combine them using video editing apps like iMovie or Adobe Premiere Rush to create a seamless landscape video montage.
3. Add transitions and effects: Once you’ve successfully converted your video from portrait to landscape, consider adding transitions, filters, and other effects to further enhance the visual appeal and impact of your video.

The Bottom Line

Changing a video from portrait to landscape on an iPhone is an essential skill to master for anyone who wants to create professional-looking videos or optimize them for various platforms. By following the step-by-step instructions provided in this blog post, you can easily convert your videos to landscape orientation using iMovie, Video Rotate & Flip, the Photos app, or online video editors. Remember to weigh the pros and cons of each method and choose the one that best suits your needs.

5 FAQs about Changing Video from Portrait to Landscape on iPhone

Q1: Can I change the orientation of a video on an iPhone without any external apps?

A: Yes, you can use the built-in Photos app to rotate videos, but it offers limited control and no frame adjustment options. For more advanced editing capabilities, utilizing external apps like iMovie or Video Rotate & Flip is recommended.

Q2: Are there any free alternatives to change the orientation of a video on an iPhone?

A: Yes, the Photos app and some online video editors offer free options to change the video orientation. However, they may have limitations in terms of functionality and output quality. Consider the pros and cons before choosing the most suitable method.

Q3: Can I change the orientation of a video from landscape to portrait using the same methods?

A: Yes, the methods discussed in this blog post can also be used to change the orientation from landscape to portrait if desired. However, keep in mind that changing the orientation may result in cropping or the addition of black bars.

Q4: Will changing the orientation of a video affect its quality?

A: Changing the orientation of a video does not significantly affect its quality, as long as the video resolution and aspect ratio are preserved. However, if the video is heavily cropped during the rotation process, there may be a slight reduction in quality.

Q5: Can I change the orientation of a video on an iPhone using iMovie on other iOS devices?

A: Yes, iMovie is available on various iOS devices, including iPad and iPod Touch. The method described in this blog post can be applied to those devices as well.