How to Import Videos into iMovie on Mac (iPhone, Camera, Photos & Drives)
Before you can start editing in iMovie, your videos and photos need to get into the app — and that process depends entirely on where your footage comes from.
In this guide, we walk through every practical way to import content into iMovie on a Mac. Whether your videos live on an iPhone, iPad, camera memory card, Apple Photos, an external drive, or your desktop, this walkthrough shows how iMovie handles imports, events, and organization so you can start editing with confidence.
🎓 What You’ll Learn
• How iMovie libraries and events work during the import process
• How to import videos and photos from an iPhone or iPad using a cable
• How to use AirDrop to wirelessly send files to your Mac
• How Apple Photos integrates directly with iMovie
• How to import footage from memory cards and cameras
• How to bring in files from external hard drives and flash drives
• How to move clips between events and keep footage organized
• How to sort clips by date, name, or duration
🎬 Understanding Libraries and Events in iMovie
When you import media into iMovie, it doesn’t go straight into a project. Everything is stored inside a library, and within that library, clips live inside events.
• A library holds all your media and projects
• An event acts like a folder for related clips (by trip, project, or day)
Choosing the right event during import helps keep your footage organized and easy to manage later.
📱 Importing from an iPhone or iPad
Connecting an iPhone or iPad directly to your Mac is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to import video.
Once connected, iMovie detects the device and lets you:
• View videos, photos, or both
• Hide clips you’ve already imported
• Select specific clips or import everything
• Choose exactly which event the media goes into
This method avoids wireless delays and works consistently.
📡 Using AirDrop to Transfer Media
AirDrop lets you wirelessly send photos and videos from an iPhone or iPad to your Mac.
• Files arrive in the Downloads folder
• Import into iMovie using drag-and-drop or Import Media
This works well for quick transfers when you don’t want to connect a cable.
🖼️ Importing from Apple Photos
If you use Apple Photos with iCloud Photos enabled, iMovie can access your photo library directly.
• Browse albums, favorites, and videos inside iMovie
• No manual copying required
This is one of the easiest ways to import media already synced to your Mac.
📸 Importing from Memory Cards and Cameras
When you insert a memory card or connect a camera, iMovie opens the import window automatically.
• Preview clips before importing
• Create a new event for that footage
• Import only the clips you need
Always eject memory cards properly to avoid file issues.
💾 Importing from External Drives or Your Mac
Videos stored on your Mac, an external hard drive, or a flash drive can be imported the same way.
• Drag clips directly into an event, or
• Use Import Media to browse files
Once imported, clips are stored safely inside the iMovie library.
🗂️ Organizing Clips After Import
Clips can be reorganized at any time.
• Drag clips between events
• Sort by date, name, or duration
• Group footage by shooting day
A little organization upfront makes editing much easier later.