How to Crop a Video on iPhone (Built-In, Free)

To crop a video on iPhone, open it in Photos, tap Edit, then pinch outward to zoom in — this crops the edges. To change the aspect ratio (e.g. 16:9, square), use the crop icon. The built-in editor handles basic cropping free. Don’t have the clip yet? See how to screen record on iPhone.

Method 1: Photos app (zoom-crop)

1. Open the video in Photos → tap Edit.
2. Tap the crop/rotate icon (a square with arrows, bottom toolbar).
3. Pinch outward to zoom in and crop the edges.
4. Drag to reposition, then tap Done.

This crops by zooming — the video fills the frame with the edges cut off.

Method 2: Change aspect ratio

1. In Edit, tap the crop icon.
2. Tap the aspect-ratio button (top-right, rectangle icon).
3. Choose Original, Square, 16:9, 4:3, etc.
4. Adjust and tap Done.

Method 3: iMovie (precise cropping)

For precise control, use the free iMovie:

1. Create a project and add your video.
2. Tap the clip, then pinch to zoom/crop in the preview.
3. Adjust the framing, then Done → Save.

FAQ

Can I crop a video on iPhone for free?

Yes — the Photos editor zooms/crops, and iMovie (free) gives precise control.

Does cropping a video lower its quality?

Cropping zooms into the frame, so it can reduce effective resolution if you crop heavily. Minor crops are fine.

How do I crop a video to square on iPhone?

In Photos → Edit → crop icon → tap the aspect-ratio button → choose Square.

Can I crop the middle out of a video?

That’s trimming, not cropping — see how to trim a video on iPhone. Use iMovie to split and delete unwanted middle sections.