How to Add Subtitles in iMovie

Tutorials

If you’re using Apple devices for video editing, chances are you’ve tried out iMovie. This handy app comes pre-installed on new Apple products and is great for editing and exporting videos.

As a content creator, adding captions to your videos can significantly boost engagement and accessibility. Captions and subtitles make your content more viewer-friendly, whether it’s for social media or your own website. They are especially useful for viewers who may watch content on mute or have hearing impairments.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to add subtitles to a video using iMovie, as well as on a computer and other devices.

Can You Add Subtitles in iMovie?

If you’re wondering, “can you add subtitles in iMovie?”—yes, you can! However, keep in mind that iMovie doesn’t have a built-in auto-captioning feature, which means you will need to insert subtitles in iMovie manually, adjusting the timing and content as you go.

You’ll insert text blocks directly into your iMovie timeline, set how long each title appears, and tweak the font style, size, and alignment. Keep in mind, these are open captions, meaning they’re always visible and can’t be turned off.

How to Add Captions in iMovie

1. Open iMovie and import your video: Fire up iMovie and bring in the video you want to work on.

2. Choose your clip: Click on the video clip where you want to add the subtitles.

3. Add a Title: Click the title button in the viewer at the top to insert subtitles in iMovie.

4. Select your subtitle style: Pick a title style like ‘lower third’ which is commonly used for subtitles. The ‘lower third’ is a great choice for professional-looking captions.

5. Insert your title: Double-click or drag your chosen title style to your video clip.

6. Type your text: Click the text box [T] at the top of the viewer and enter your subtitle text.

How to Edit Subtitles in iMovie

If you need to make changes after adding them, here’s how to create subtitles in iMovie that are well-aligned with your video:

• Advanced Customization: Use iMovie’s customization options like animations or overlays to make your subtitles stand out. Preview your video to ensure everything looks good before exporting—this step is crucial for catching any formatting errors when adding subtitles to iMovie.

• Open Your Project: Select the clip that has the subtitles.

• Edit the Titles: Click the “Titles” button in the toolbar. This lets you edit text, change font style, color, and adjust the timing of your iMovie captions within the clip.

For more information about iMovie and its features, or if you’re experiencing other errors, visit the official iMovie page.

How to Add Captions in iMovie on iPhone and iPad

The process on iPhone and iPad is similar:

1. Select your video: Open your video project in iMovie.

2. Choose the clip: Find the part of the video where you want to add subtitles.

3. Add a title: Tap the title icon when it appears on your selected clip and choose your subtitle style.

4. Enter your text: Tap “title text here” to add your subtitles. Remember, good subtitles should accurately transcribe speech and sounds, include background noise descriptions, and be clear and easy to read.

Adding subtitles in iMovie can be a bit tricky, and mistakes can happen, potentially affecting the video experience for viewers who rely on captions.

Disadvantages of Using iMovie for Subtitles

While iMovie is a powerful tool, it does have some limitations when it comes to adding subtitles:

1. Manual Process: Adding subtitles in iMovie is entirely manual, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.

2. Limited Customization: iMovie offers basic text customization but lacks advanced features for creating engaging and visually appealing subtitles.

3. No Auto-Generation: Unlike some advanced tools, iMovie doesn’t auto-generate subtitles, meaning you have to type everything yourself.

4. Open Captions Only: iMovie only supports open captions, which are always visible and can’t be turned off by the viewer.

5. Risk of Errors: Manual entry increases the risk of typos and timing errors, which can detract from the viewer experience.

Adding Closed Captioning to Video on Mac

If you want to add closed captioning to video on a Mac, macOS includes a built-in feature that allows you to enable closed captions system-wide for video playback.

To do this:

1. Open System Settings: Click the Apple menu and choose System Preferences (or Settings for newer macOS versions).

2. Accessibility: Go to the Accessibility settings, then click on Captions.

3. Enable Closed Captions: Here, you can customize the appearance of closed captions and toggle them on or off for supported videos.

Many media players on macOS, like QuickTime Player, support closed captions. If the video contains closed captioning, you can easily toggle it by selecting View > Subtitles from the menu during playback.

This feature provides flexibility for viewers to control captions, ensuring a more accessible viewing experience.

iMovie Captioning Alternative – ZapCap

For a more accurate and user-friendly option, consider using ZapCap.

ZapCap is an online tool that makes adding subtitles to your videos quick and easy, without the need for manual entry. With just a few clicks, ZapCap automatically generates and adds captions with perfect timing and even highlights keywords. Everything is transcribed automatically and very accurately, similar to automated captions, saving you time and effort.

ZapCap supports over 50 languages, including Japanese subtitles, Russian captions, Urdu subtitles, allowing you to create subtitles for a global audience. It’s an excellent tool for adding captions to social media videos on platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Facebook Reels, and TikTok.

The Bottom Line on Adding Subtitles in iMovie

Adding subtitles in iMovie takes some effort, but it’s worth it for the improved viewer experience. While you can create good-looking subtitles in iMovie, they might not always be perfect. For more precise captions, especially for short-form content, ZapCap is a fantastic alternative.

With ZapCap, you get accurate, engaging captions in just minutes, making your videos more accessible and professional.

PEOPLE ALSO ASK

Can I add subtitles to videos in iMovie?

Yes, you can add subtitles in iMovie, but it requires manual effort. Insert text directly into your timeline, adjust its timing, and customize the font style, size, and color. Keep in mind that iMovie only supports open captions, meaning the subtitles will always be visible and cannot be turned off.

Can I auto-generate subtitles in iMovie?

No, iMovie doesn’t offer an automatic captioning feature. Every subtitle must be manually typed and timed, which can be time-consuming for longer videos.If you’re looking for an easier way to add captions, ZapCap is a great alternative. It can automatically generate subtitles with high accuracy, saving you considerable time.

What are the main disadvantages of using iMovie for subtitles?

The main drawbacks of using iMovie for subtitles are:

– Manual Process: Each subtitle must be added and timed manually, which can be slow and tedious.

– Limited Customization: iMovie offers basic text options but lacks advanced features like dynamic styles and animations.

– Open Captions Only: Subtitles added in iMovie cannot be toggled on or off by viewers, limiting user preferences.

How do I add subtitles in iMovie on an iPhone or iPad?

To add subtitles on an iPhone or iPad:

– Open iMovie and select the video project.

– Choose the Clip you want to add subtitles to.

– Tap the Title Icon (T) and choose a subtitle style (like Lower-Third).

– Enter Your Text and adjust its position and duration to sync with your video.While the process is straightforward, it can be tedious since everything needs to be done manually.