iMovie for iOS updated with support for Dolby Vision HDR ahead of iPhone 12

News
By
last updated
Iphone 12 Pro Dolby Vision Photos App
Iphone 12 Pro Dolby Vision Photos App (Image credit: Apple)

What you need to know

  • Apple has rolled out a new update for iMovie.
  • The update adds support for HDR, including Dolby Vision, the format supported by the new iPhone 12.
  • It also now supports 4K footage shot in 60 fps.

Apple has released a major update to iMovie on iOS and iPadOS ahead of tomorrow's iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro launch. Each update brings new features like support for 4K at 60 fps, HDR, Dolby Vision, and more.

The update for iMovie on iOS, in addition to a host of handy new features, now allows users to import and share 4K videos shot at 60 frames per second and also adds support for viewing, editing, and sharing videos shot in High Dynamic Range.

Here are the release notes from today's update.

  • Customize any title by selecting from dozens of built-in fonts
  • Adjust the color of any title by selecting from a grid or spectrum of presets, adjusting numerical sliders, or using the eyedropper in the viewer
  • Quickly change a title's default style, capitalization and duration
  • Pinch and drag to adjust the size and location of any title
  • Choose from three new animated titles: Slide, Split and dual-color Chromatic
  • Add solid, gradient, and patterned backgrounds to your movie
  • Use the color picker to customize the colors of any background
  • Drag the slider to change the intensity of any filter applied to your photos and videos
  • Import and share 4K videos at 60 frames per second**
  • View, edit, and share High Dynamic Range (HDR) videos from your Photos library**
  • Tap the new options button at the top of the Share sheet to share a project or video file and choose properties including resolution, frame rate, and HDR**

** 4K at 60 frames per second requires iPod touch (7th generation), iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 7 or later, iPad (6th generation) or later, iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air 3 or later, 10.5-inch iPad Pro or later

** Editing and sharing HDR video requires iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X or later, iPad mini (5th generation), iPad (7th generation) or later, iPad Air 3 or later, 10.5-inch iPad Pro or later

According to technology YouTuber Jonathan Morrison, the update also adds support for importing, editing, and sharing in Dolby Vision. Though Apple did not specifically call it out in the release notes, the iPhone 12 lineup will be the first smartphones ever to shoot in the format.

Apple has also updated Garageband for iOS with faster ways to start audio recordings and a new keyboard collection sound pack.

  • New audio recordings can be quickly started from the Home screen by touching and holding the GarageBand app icon
  • Maximum song length at default tempo has been increased from 23 to 72 minutes
  • The ruler now offers an option to switch from musical bars and beats to minutes and seconds
  • New downloadable "Keyboard Collection" sound pack includes over 150 keyboard loops and 50 instrument patches like pianos, organs, and electric pianos

You can download the new versions of iMovie and Garageband from the App Store for free now.

Joe Wituschek
Joe Wituschek
Contributor

Joe Wituschek is a Contributor at iMore. With over ten years in the technology industry, one of them being at Apple, Joe now covers the company for the website. In addition to covering breaking news, Joe also writes editorials and reviews for a range of products. He fell in love with Apple products when he got an iPod nano for Christmas almost twenty years ago. Despite being considered a "heavy" user, he has always preferred the consumer-focused products like the MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPhone 13 mini. He will fight to the death to keep a mini iPhone in the lineup. In his free time, Joe enjoys video games, movies, photography, running, and basically everything outdoors.