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Where Are Imovie Files Saved

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Why the iMovie always export my files into .mov format? Recently, I encountered this problem when I making a wedding video. And I found many users are talking about this problem on Apple Communities. So to solve it, I wrote this tutorial for help the people that meet this problem like me.

At first, let's see why we failed to export iMovie to MP4. Then see how to convert iMovie to MP4.

  1. You will get an MOV iMovie file when you select 'Best (ProRes)'. Finally, click 'Next' button to pick up the folder to save the exported iMovie MP4 file on your Mac. The method works for most of the people. If you have an iMovie MOV creation, but want to use it for some MP4 compatible devices like Windows Media Player, Windows Phone, etc., you.
  2. IMovie Export Failed. There are many factors that may cause the export failure.

CONTENTS

IMovie provides many frequently-used output formats for you to choose from. You can save iMovie project in a format that suits you best. When you want to create a slideshow in iMovie and save the video, you should export it to Mac. Then you can access it on Finder folder. While you press and hold the Option key, click the iMovie app in the Dock or double-click the iMovie app in the Applications folder. In the Open Library window, click New to create a new library. Name the test library 'Test iMovie Library,' then save it to the Desktop.

  • 1. How to Export iMovie to MP4 (Personal Experience)
  • 2. Final Way - Convert Your iMovie Video to MP4 with External Tool

How to Export iMovie to MP4 (Personal Experience)

When I search on Google, I found many thread or articles for exporting iMovie to MP4 says to use the 'Export to QuickTime' option. But I didn't see the option on my iMovie with the version 10.1.10 on my MacBook Pro. I think that it might be caused by the update of iMovie.

Actually, I can only export the iMovie project via 'Share' > 'File' as the image below shows.

In the dialog that appears, I can find the following things that I need to choose:

• Title: Click the name at the top and then type a new name.

• Description: Type the description that you want to add.

• Tags: Click the Tags field, and type the tag names separated by commas.

• Format: Choose to export 'video and audio', or just audio.

• Resolution: Select an Resolution option. The unavailable resolutions will appear dimmed.

• Quality: Choose one from the 5 options: Low, Medium, High, Best (Prores), Custom.

• Compress: Set the compress speed.

Then, click on 'Next' button. It will go to a pop-up window which can specify the folder path to save the files. So far, all the things works fine. When I check the output file, it is saved as .mov format. Why? I changed various output options and found the answer:

If you set the quality with 'Best (ProRes)', the iMovie file will be saved as .mov format. But, when you share a movie as low, medium, high quality or custom, it will share as MP4.

Finally, if you want to export iMovie to MP4 video, please avoid to select the 'Best (ProRes)' quality option. This solution works for most of the people. But in case that you still can't save the iMovie as MP4 video, move to Part 2 to get another method.

Or, you still want to get the MP4 video with best quality from iMovie, the following method is also work for you.


Final Way - Convert Your iMovie Video to MP4 with External Tool

We can't find a workable way in iMovie to export MP4 video. So, we have to get help from other tools. With a video converter, you can easily convert your iMovie video (.mov) to MP4.


Here, I would share a good tool - VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate. This is a professional video converter which can help convert the iMovie project to MP4 format easily.

Clear interface can help you understand it quickly. Batch files conversion is allowed. The conversion can be performed with fast speed. So, it can be used to convert the iMovie file to MP4, as required.

Take a try from the button below.

Step 1. Initiate the VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate

Ver video png. Download and install the converter for Mac. Then open the main interface.


Step 2. Import the Exported iMovie Video

Click the button of 'Add Files' to upload the iMovie file. You can import multiple videos here.

Note: VideoSolo Video Converter Ultimate can't directly convert the iMovie project to MP4. You have to export the iMovie project to MOV, then this program can convert the exported MOV video to MP4.

Step 3. Specify the Output Format

Then click the drop-down icon of 'Output Format' and select MP4 as the output format.

Step 4. Convert the Exported iMovie Video to MP4

The output folder is chosen by default, but you can change it to other destination folders via clicking the '…' icon.

Click the 'Convert' button to transfer iMovie to MP4 on Mac, and the excellent Mac Video Converter will automatically do the rest for you.

Finally, hope you can solve the problem that can't export video from iMovie to MP4 smoothly. If you can provide more ways that can convert iMovie video to MP4, leave it below and I will add it to this tutorial after testing.

/Mac Tips /Where Are iMovie Files Stored? [2020 Updated]

Where are iMovie files stored on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac? How to save iMovie project? iMovie autosaves all its troves of data and resources in a library file labeled iMovie Library under the iMovie folder of your computer. Every time you modify or add to your ongoing project, iMovie autosaves. The iMovie Library file grinds to a halt if you rename it.

iMovie folders stashes subfolders with vast amounts of data. However, older versions and iMovie 10 store their files at different destinations. Once you update to iMovie 10, you can delete the contents you don't need like folders associated with the previous version like iMovie Events.

Actually, it may be difficult to locate all the iMovie files by yourself, so it's better to ask for help with smart tools like Mac cleaners. You can just have a free try with them.

Article GuidePart 1. How to Find the iMovie Storehouse Part 2. Where to Find iMovie Files for All Versions of the Application Part 3. Free iMovie Alternatives for MacPart 4. Conclusion

People Also Read:How to Download Movies from Netflix on MacWhere Are Photos Stored on Mac - Quickly Locate!

Part 1. How to Find the iMovie Storehouse

How to Find iMovie Files on Mac - Via iMovie Library

iMovie acts as your databank to store data or assets such as video, images, and audio. Once you finish editing, close the app by clicking on the red button in the upper left corner of the window. This will ensure that your workflow maintains incremental changes before you back it up.

Let's get down to business and answer the question- where are iMovie files stored:

1. Locate iMovie Library under the Movies registry by either double-clicking the Macintosh HD icon on the upper-right corner of the window. Alternatively, click on the Finder icon at the foot of the screen.
2. A new Finder window pops up.
3. The Movies folder is nestled on the left side of the Finder window, just click on it.

Do not double-click on the file or else it will launch your project back up forcing you to exit iMovie again. This is the item you will want to relocate between your hard drive and the computer.

Part 2. Where to Find iMovie Files for All Versions of the Application

Older Versions

Previous versions of iMovie would store clips, shared files, or projects in iMovie Events, iMovie Sharing, and iMovie Projects. iMovie project folders stick out with a unique icon. The project folders provided a destination for all data associated with a project.

For older versions of the program, you can chain-upgrade the old projects by launching in the next compatible version sequentially to unravel iMovie 10 or export a clean up-to-the-minute version.

There's another folder named iMovie Original Movies. It hosts the full-resolution types of previous versions of iMovie projects instead of exported lower-resolution media. It stores movies that may have no duplicates, avoid purging all its contents.

iMovie 10 or Later

From version 10 or later, iMovie stashes everything into a monolithic library file nestled in package format. You use iMovie as you explore content and wipe out clips or projects. You may want to right-click the file and select View Package Contents for a glimpse into this algorithmic world, but don't tinker with it in any way.

Where Are Imovie Files Saved

Relocate the monolithic file between disk drives if you want to mothball it elsewhere other than the boot volume.

How to Reclaim Space Gobbled up by iMovie Files

Folders from outdated versions eat up gigabytes of duplicates and redundant contents. Once you update to iMovie 10 and banish a previous version, wipe out iMovie Projects or iMovie Events. Dart a glance at ‘iMovie Sharing' to ensure there's nothing you transferred there you wish to keep.

Wield this Duplicate Finder by iMyMac to herd replicated files to salvage tons of gigabytes of space, even for casual users.

Part 3. Free iMovie Alternatives for Mac

OpenShot

OpenShot offers a versatile video editor compatible with Linux, Windows or Mac. Trim & Slice Quickly allows you to tail off your videos and home in timeless moments. It has many nifty features to slice your video with hairsplitting accuracy. Utilize Animation & Keyframes with a robust animation framework to fade, bounce, or slide anything in your video workflow.

Avidemux

Avidemux offers a free and simple tool for cursory cutting, sorting and encoding errands. It's intuitive for cutting extant movies while it saves or exports at lightning speed. It supports a variety of file types such as AVI, MP4, DVD compliant MPEG files, and ASF with a broad array of codecs. Automate tasks with projects, job queuing and powerful scripting. Avidemux offers a decent option for quick cuts and convert-tool, but we don't recommend it if you thirst for a full-blown video editor.

Shotcut

Shotcut is another free, cross-platform, open-source, and non-linear video editing tool. It supports tons of audio or video formats along with codecs with FFmpeg. You don't have to import allowing native editing, frame-rates, multi-format timeframes, and resolutions.

Where Are My Imovie Files

Problems Uninstalling iMovie? Try iMyMac PowerMyMac's Uninstaller

Mac OS X comes with a variety of useful default apps like iMovie. For indifferent users who may have put space on a premium, purging iMovie can free up 3 GB of space on your storage disk. Don't leap at the drag-and-drop option as this leaves vestiges such as caches or preferences.

PowerMyMac from iMyMac packs a specialized app remover under the hood. It simplifies uninstallation to wipe out all the obsolete files. It comes with a terse removal guide to help you remove iMovie fast and safely. It also uninstalls other apps on Mac making it a must-have to create more space.

It will get the job done in a trice with a few clicks. You've to steer clear of stumps as they interfere with future installations of the program. PowerMyMac offers a winning combination of instruments to keep your Mac as sound as a barrel with cleanup, optimization and system maintenance.

Part 4. Conclusion

Unless you've backed up or saved iMovie projects to an external storage, you should find your data and assets in iMovie Library via Movie folder. Older versions of the program branch off into other subfolders; ensure you put them under your eye to zero in your contents.

Where Are Imovie Files Saved Windows 10

Knowing the locations of large files like videos comes in handy when you want to reclaim space on your Mac. Moreover, non-users can salvage acres of space by removing the entire app altogether. Use dedicated software to get a clean slate without traces of the app lurking in your system.

If you are not 100% sure on where are iMovie files stored on your Mac or have questions, please contact us before you leave iMyMac in the comments below.

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Comment ()

Phil2020-11-28 14:53:59

Will iMyMac remove duplicate video projects from the Projects page in iMovie on my 2019 iMac?I just opened my iMovie after not using it for a few months and discovered there is now a duplicate project of most of the video projects I had created over time.

iMyMac2020-11-29 03:51:04

Hi, yes you can use iMyMac PowerMyMac's Duplicate Finder to scan and remove all kinds of duplicates on your Mac including duplicate video projects. We suggest you try the free version of PowerMyMac, if it can scan the duplicates you desired, then you can purchase it to clean more.

ian retson2020-08-12 13:06:42

This does not work on my MacBook. There is no sign of movies in finder, so there must be another way to locate them which you don't show.

iMyMac2020-08-12 16:55:07

Hi! Simply go to the 'Finder' application. Open the 'Finder' menu and select 'Preferences'. Click the 'Sidebar' tab and check the 'Movies' checkbox. You will now see the Movies folder in the left panel of the Finder window.

Where Are Imovie Files Saved

sarah2020-07-06 16:43:03

Movies is not in my favourites bar so where am I to find it??

iMyMac2020-07-07 06:12:13

Hi! Simply go to the 'Finder' application. Open the 'Finder' menu and select 'Preferences'. Click the 'Sidebar' tab and check the 'Movies' checkbox. You will now see the Movies folder in the left panel of the Finder window. Gimp 2 8 for photographers.

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