10 Video Editing Features I Wish the iPhone Photos App Had (and How You Can Get Them Now!)

The iPhone Photos app has come a long way in terms of photo editing capabilities. With iOS 13, Apple introduced a redesigned, more powerful photo editor right within the Photos app. You can now make advanced adjustments to exposure, color, sharpness and more.

However, when it comes to video editing, the Photos app still falls short compared to third-party apps. While you can trim, rotate, and apply filters to videos, many essential and creative editing features are notably absent.

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As an avid iPhone videographer, here are the top 10 video editing features I wish the Photos app included – and how you can get similar functionality using other apps:

1. Precise Audio Control

The iPhone Photos app allows you to mute a video’s audio with one tap. But there are no options to adjust audio levels, add background music, or record a voiceover. For those features, try:

• iMovie: Apple’s free video editing app lets you detach audio, adjust volume, add sound effects and record voiceovers.
• LumaFusion: This pro-level app ($29.99) provides multitrack audio editing, ducking, EQ and more.

2. Speed Ramping

Speeding up or slowing down sections of your video, known as speed ramping, is a creative way to highlight key moments. The iPhone Photos app only lets you change a video’s speed uniformly. For speed ramping, check out:

• Videoshop: An intuitive app ($3.99) with a speed tool to ramp sections up to 10x faster or 1/8x slower.
• Adobe Premiere Rush: Adobe’s streamlined video editor ($9.99/month) makes it easy to adjust clip speed and create speed ramps.

3. Picture-in-Picture

Combining multiple video clips playing simultaneously, often with one in a smaller window, is not possible in the Photos app. But these apps can do it:

• KineMaster: This powerful app (free with watermark or $4.99/month) supports multiple video layers for picture-in-picture effects.
• VN Video Editor: An affordable option ($1.99) with an easy-to-use PIP template.

4. Chroma Key

Also known as green screen, chroma key lets you remove a colored background to composite videos together. While not available in Photos, try:

• Green Screen by Do Ink: An app ($2.99) dedicated to high-quality chroma keying with real-time previews.
• Videoleap: This advanced editor ($7.99/month) has an excellent chroma key tool with color selection and edge softness controls.

5. Keyframe Animations

Animating graphics, text or video properties requires setting keyframes to designate start and end points. The Photos app offers no keyframe controls, but these do:

• Alight Motion: A motion graphics app ($3.99/month) with a full keyframe editor for animating multiple parameters.
• Motion Ninja: Simplifies keyframe animation ($5.99) with easy-to-use sliders and presets.

6. Masking

Masking allows you to selectively apply effects or conceal parts of your video. While not possible in the Photos app, you can mask in:

• VLLO: Formerly VELO, this app ($7.99/month) has a capable masking tool to blur or cover areas of your video.
• Enlight Videoleap: The app’s ($7.99/month) Mask tool lets you create custom shapes to hide or reveal parts of a layer.

7. Stabilization

Shaky videos are a common problem, especially when shooting handheld. The Photos app lacks a stabilization feature, but you can steady footage in:

• Google Photos: Google’s free photo app includes a stabilize option under the Adjust menu.
• Emulsio: An app ($2.99) that uses advanced algorithms to analyze and stabilize shaky video.

8. Lens Correction

Wide-angle lenses like those on iPhone can distort your video, especially at the edges. Correct it with apps like:

• Filmic Pro: A cinematographer-level app ($14.99) with de-squeeze options for anamorphic lenses.
• Moment Pro Camera: Moment’s pro camera and editing app ($5.99) can correct distortion and fringing from their lenses.

9. Color Grading

Give your videos a distinct look through color grading. While Photos only offers basic color adjustments, these apps go further:

• Cinematica: An intuitive color correction app ($5.99) with Looks, curves, HSL and more.
• Premiere Rush: Adobe’s app ($9.99/month) includes powerful Lumetri color tools optimized for mobile.

10. Waveform Monitors

For the most accurate exposure and color adjustments, video editors rely on waveform and other scopes not found in the Photos app. Get them in:

• Filmic Pro: In addition to de-squeeze, Filmic Pro ($14.99) offers waveform, vectorscope, and histogram views for dialing in your image.
• ProCam 8: A complete camera and editing app ($8.99) with a waveform monitor and RGB parade.

While the iPhone Photos app continues to improve, it still has a ways to go to satisfy video editors craving more advanced tools. Thankfully, the App Store is filled with alternatives to expand your mobile video editing capabilities.

From precise audio control to color grading, picture-in-picture to stabilization, these 10 features may be missing from the Photos app – but with the right third-party apps, you can still achieve professional-looking results when editing video on your iPhone.

FAQ

What is the best free video editing app for iPhone?

Apple’s iMovie is a capable and completely free video editor on iPhone. It offers more advanced features than the Photos app, like audio control, picture-in-picture, and even green screen effects.

Can I edit videos in the iPhone Photos app?

Yes, the Photos app includes basic video editing tools. You can trim video length, rotate orientation, and apply filters. However, many advanced features common in third-party apps are missing.

How can I add music to a video on iPhone?

In the Photos app, you can add music to a Memory movie, but not standalone videos. iMovie lets you add music tracks and adjust their volume relative to your video’s audio. More advanced apps like LumaFusion offer even more control over audio editing.

What is the best app for slow motion video on iPhone?

The iPhone’s Camera app can record slow motion video at 120 or 240 fps. To adjust the slow motion effect afterwards, try an app like Slow Fast Slow, which lets you select multiple speed ramps for cinematic results.

How do I combine two videos on iPhone?

While the Photos app doesn’t support combining videos, Apple’s iMovie makes it easy. Simply create a new project and add the video clips to your timeline. Trim and arrange them as desired, then export your finished movie.