How to Add Music to iMovie [3 Steps]

iMovies is the built-in editor among Apple devices, and it can seamlessly weave together visual and auditory elements to create cinematic masterpiece. When you edit a video file in iMovie, you can add the background music to iMovie to convert your raw footage into a great clip. In this article, you will use the 3 steps to import audio into iMovie on Mac and iOS devices.

GUIDE LIST

Part 1. How to Add Music to iMovie on Mac

Part 2. How to Import Music to iMovie on iOS

Part 3. Why I Can't Add Music to iMovie

Part 4. FAQs of Adding Music to iMovie

Part 1. How to Add Music to iMovie on Mac

When you use iMovie for Mac to add music, you can choose to add the music from your music library or the local songs from the Finder.

If you have stored songs downloaded or imported in your music library on Mac, then here you can import the music by using the media browser in iMovie.

Click the play button next to each song to hear a preview.

For background or theme music in your movie, drag the songs to the music well, denoted by the musical note icon at the bottom of the timeline. The song will remain stationary even if you reposition any video clips in the timeline.

If you only want a portion of the song, highlight a range in the waveform at the browser's top, and adjust the duration of the range selection by dragging either side of it.

Additionally, you can also directly import audio files, such as MP3, M4A, WAV, and AIFF, into the iMovie project timeline from the Finder. Simply locate the music clip and drag it directly into your iMovie project.

If you speed up a video in iMovie, do not forget to merge the audio and video tracks before doing that to sync both files.

Part 2. How to Import Music to iMovie on iOS

When you use such an iOS devices as iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, the steps are similar to those on a Mac.

In addition to incorporating music or audio files from the Music App on iOS devices, you can also import songs into iMovie from those stored on your device, in iCloud Drive, or another location. Follow the steps outlined below to integrate audio into your iMovie project.

Add Music to iMovie from Music App

When you downloaded or synced songs with your Music app, here, you can also add the audio files to iMovie from the Music app.

To incorporate the song into your project, tap the Add Audio button next to the selected song. iMovie will position the song at the beginning of the project and adjust its duration to match the overall project length automatically.

Add Audio to iMovie from iCloud Drive or Another Location

You are optional to put audio files, including M4A, MP3, WAV, and AIFF formats in iMovie, whether they are stored on your device, in iCloud Drive, or elsewhere.

You can also use the voiceover feature on iPhone, and add it to iMovie as the background narratives.

Tips: If you add an audio file over one minute in length, it will function similarly to a song within your project. Conversely, files shorter than one minute will be placed at the location of the playhead in the timeline.

Part 3. Why I Can't Add Music to iMovie

When you fail to add the music to iMovie on Mac or iPhone, the reasons can be various.

1. Unsupported file format

iMovie is compatible with specific audio file formats such as MP3, AAC, AIFF, or WAV. If your music file is in a format that iMovie does not recognize, you can resolve this issue by converting your music file to a supported format.

ArkThinker Video Converter Ultimate is the iMovie converter to convert video and audio to iMovie compatible video and audio formats like MP3, WAV, AIFF, and more.

Moreover, it has various editing features work as an iMovie alternative to edit and make a video file. What’s more, this software is compatible with Mac and Windows 11/10/8/7 computer, and you can use it cross-platform. Its AI technology can enhance video quality from SD to 4K instantly.

Once downloaded, launch the program. Then, locate and click on the Plus symbol positioned in the center of the interface to search for the audio file you want to convert for iMovie.

2. Corrupted music file

If your music file is damaged or corrupted, iMovie may struggle to import it. To address this, attempt using an alternate copy of the music file. If the problem persists, consider obtaining a fresh, undamaged copy of the music.

3. File location issues

iMovie may have difficulty locating your music file if it has been moved or deleted from its original location. To rectify this, ensure that the music file is in a location accessible by iMovie. If the file has been relocated, open File, then select Import Media option in iMovie to re-import the music.

4. Outdated iMovie version

Certain features or file types may not be supported by an outdated iMovie version. To resolve this, update iMovie to the latest available version through the Mac App Store.

5. Blocked permissions

If you lack the necessary permissions to access the music file, iMovie may be unable to import it. Rectify this issue by checking and adjusting file permissions. Right-click on the file, select “Get Info,” and modify the permissions to grant iMovie the necessary access.

6. iCloud Drive Issues

Syncing problems in iCloud Drive may impact your iMovie project if stored there. Ensure proper functioning and synchronization of iCloud Drive by verifying internet connectivity. If issues persist, attempt moving your project to a local storage location to see if the problem persists.

7. System Issues

Performance challenges in iMovie may stem from system-related issues. Address this by restarting your Mac computer or iOS devices to resolve temporary glitches. If problems persist, consider troubleshooting more extensive system issues.

If the above solutions do not work, you can try another video editing software on Mac to replace iMovie to add the music to a video file.

Part 4. FAQs of Adding Music to iMovie

Conclusion