How to Add Slow Mo to A Video on iPhone

Videos were an invention that entirely transformed the way we perceive recorded images. Today, it has become an intrinsic part of our lives and we rely on them to capture and document almost every life event. However, with technological advancements in smartphones and camera video makers, amateur video enthusiasts can now create cinematic images with their mobile phones. And one of the features that can enhance the cinematic effect of videos is the slow-motion effect. Slowing down specific parts of your video can help you to capture one moment in greater detail, emphasize a particular moment, or add a dramatic effect to your film. On this note, this article aims to teach you how you can add slow mo to a video on your iPhone.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

1. iPhone with iOS 8 or later.
2. The captured video that you need to add Slow Mo video effect to.
3. The video editing app- iMovie, which already comes pre-installed on your device.

What Requires Your Focus?

Before we dive deep into how to add slow mo to a video on your iPhone, there are certain things you have to take note of. They include:

• You can’t record a video and add Slow Mo effect to it simultaneously.
• Slo-mo only works using the slow-motion playback on your iPhone, not when uploading videos to other devices such as YouTube.
• You can only add slow-mo effect to your videos using video editing apps like iMovie available on your iPhone.

Different Methods to Add Slow Mo to A Video on iPhone

Method 1: Using iMovie

If you want to slow down a video on your iPhone, iMovie is a great go-to app as it is available on almost all models and comes pre-installed on your device. Here are the steps:

1. Open iMovie on your iPhone.
2. Select the file that you need to slow down and click on the “Import” button.
3. Drag and drop the file to the timeline after importing it.
4. Tap the video clip that you want to slow down, and then click “Speed”.
5. Choose the part of the video you want to slow down. Then drag the slider left (for slower) or right (to speed up), as required to highlight the segment of the video.
6. You should see a snail icon and percentage setting beside the “Speed” button. Change the percentage to suit the slowdown that you require.
7. Adjust the speed settings to your satisfaction, preview the video and then export it when done.

Pros:

• iMovie is easy to use for beginners.
• iMovie comes pre-installed on all iPhones.
• You can edit the video with iMovie after adding slow motion.
• It’s easy to adjust the video’s slow-motion settings to your taste.

Cons:

• Slowing down your video with iMovie reduces video quality.
• You might need to upload the video to YouTube or Instagram to share with others from the app.
• The video quality resolution could drop after export, if the file isn’t exported correctly.

Method 2: Using LumaFusion

If you own an iPhone or iPad, and you seek more powerful video editing tools than iMovie, then LumaFusion is a great alternative for you. Here are the steps:

1. Download the LumaFusion app from the App Store.
2. Import your video file by clicking on the “Import” button.
3. Drag and drop the file to the timeline after you have imported it.
4. Tap the clip on the timeline that you want to slow down.
5. On the screen’s left side, click on “Video Properties” to open the speed panel.
6. You should see the speed slider, which you can adjust to slow down the video you are editing. The speed slider ranges from 0 to 100%.
7. Drag the speed slider to slow down the video to the desired speed. You can preview it, and when it’s the way you want it, you can click on “Done” to save the changes.
8. Export the resulting video from LumaFusion, and save it to your device’s photo library or share it directly on social media from the app.

Pros:

• LumaFusion has more advanced editing features than iMovie.
• You can export video files without any compression using LumaFusion, rendering files with high-quality settings.
• You can import 4k Videos at 60 Frames per Second (FPS).

Cons:

• LumaFusion is pricey compared to other video editing tools that are available on the iPhone.
• The LumaFusion interface might seem confusing to beginners.

Method 3: Using Video Speed Editor

If you are looking for a free and straight-to-the-point method of adding slow mo to your iPhone video, then you should try using the Video Speed Editor. Here are the steps:

1. Download and install the Video Speed Editor app from your App Store.
2. Open the app and click on the “Create a New Video” option.
3. Select the video you wish to edit, and then click on the “Import” option.
4. Once you have added the video to the app, find and click on the “Slow” option to begin editing the video’s slowdown settings. Drag the slider to slow down your video by the desired percentage.
5. You can preview the video at any point in the editing process, and when satisfied with it, simply export it to save it to your device’s camera roll.

Pros:

• Video Speed Editor is simple and easy to use.
• You can slow down or speed up videos using the app.
• You can export video files without any compression or watermark
• The app doesn’t require any payment.

Cons:

• The app shows several ads while in use.
• There is a limit to the extent to which you can slow your video down with the app.

Why Can’t I Add Slow Mo to A Video on My iPhone?

There could be several reasons why you can’t add slow mo to a video on your iPhone. Here are some reasons why:

1. Your iPhone is set to record regular speed and not slow motion.
2. Your iPhone is running an outdated operating system; therefore, it might not be able to support the video editing app you need.
3. Your video file size is too large, making it somewhat difficult to sufficiently edit slow motion settings.

Here are fixes for each possible reason:

1. To activate your iPhone’s slow-motion camera, swipe right to open your camera and view the video modes. Tap on the “Slo-mo” button, which should replace the normal speed icon. Afterward, you can record your desired video in slow motion.
2. Check to see if your operating system is up-to-date. If it isn’t, update your iPhone to the latest iOS version available. You can do this via settings.
3. You can compress the file size before editing it, which could make it easier to handle and manipulate slow-motion effects.

Implications and Recommendations

Adding slow-mo to videos could improve your creative techniques and deliver compelling cinematic effects in your videos. It adds drama to your footage, enabling you to tell your story in slow and vivid detail. Also, using an app like LumaFusion could help you fine-tune your video editing skills and unlock your creativity in new and exciting ways.

5 FAQs about Adding Slow Mo to a Video on iPhone

Q1: How do I turn off the slow-motion effect?

A: To turn off the slow-motion effect, simply open your iPhone’s Photos app, select your desired video, and click the “Edit” option. Afterward, click on the “Speed” button and drag the slider to the right to increase the speed, which would turn off the slow-motion effect.

Q2: Can I add slow-motion effects to a pre-recorded video?

A: Yes, you can add slow-motion effects to pre-recorded videos on your iPhone using several compatible video editing apps like iMovie, LumaFusion, and many others.

Q3: What is the maximum slow-motion percentage I can apply to my video?

A: This depends on the app you’re using. Most apps have a maximum of 50% to 75% slow motion percentage that you can apply to your videos.

Q4: Will slowing down my iPhone video affect the video quality?

A: Yes. Slowing down your video may affect the video’s overall quality. It reduces video quality and affects the pixels and sharpness of the video, usually with a resolution drop.

Q5: Will I lose video quality after multiple exports on my iPhone?

A: Yes. If you export your videos repeatedly with sub-optimal compression settings or size, your video quality may reduce with each successive export.

Final Words

Adding slow mo to a video on iPhone is a fun and exciting way to enhance your storytelling skills. While there are several options to choose from, with an understanding of the different methods, you can apply the one that is best suited to your needs. Remember, the key to successful video editing is to take your time and frequently preview your video to achieve a satisfying result. We hope this blog post has provided insight into adding slow-mo to a video on your iPhone. Happy editing!