To add captions to the video on iMovie, open the iMovie on your device and create a new project by selecting ‘New Project’. Next, you’ll need to import the video if you want to add captions by browsing through your files and selecting the desired video clip.
Once the video is imported, drag it from the media library into the filmstrip area. The ‘Lower’ style is the most suitable option for captions, as it appears at the bottom of the video without obstructing the main content.
Now, you can type in the text that corresponds to about 5 seconds of video or any desired duration.
To adjust the duration of the text display, simply click and drag the edges of the caption box in the filmstrip area, repeat this process for each caption you want to add throughout the video.
Once you’ve added all the captions, preview your video to ensure the captions are synchronized with the audio and you can then proceed to save or export that video with captions.
How To Add Captions to Video on iMovie:
You can try the following methods below:
1. iMovie’s built-in caption feature
In this method, you have to use iMovie’s own captioning feature to add captions to your video directly within the iMovie application.
🔴 Steps To Follow:
Step 1: First, open iMovie and import your video clip.

Step 2: Then, drag the video clip onto the timeline.
Step 3: Click on the “Titles” tab above the media library.

Step 4: Browse through the available title styles and select one that suits your needs.
Step 5: Drag the chosen title style onto the timeline, placing it above your video clip at the desired start time for the caption.
Step 6: Click on the title clip in the timeline and edit the text in the viewer window.
Step 7: Adjust the caption duration by dragging the edges of the title clip in the timeline.
Step 8: Once you’re done, export the video with added captions.
2. Transcript file and SRT import
In this method, you must create a transcript file with timestamps and import it as an SRT file to add captions to the video in iMovie.
🔴 Steps To Follow:
Step 1: Create a plain text file containing your video’s transcript, including timestamps for each line.
Step 2: Save the transcript file as an SRT file with the extension “.srt”.

Step 3: Then, open iMovie and import the video clip.
Step 4: Then, drag the video clip on the main timeline.
Step 5: Click on “File” in the menu bar and select “Import Media.”
Step 6: Locate and import the SRT file.
Step 7: Drag the imported SRT file onto the timeline, placing it above your video clip.
Step 8: Adjust caption styles and timings as needed within iMovie.
Step 9: Then, export that video with captions.
3. YouTube’s automatic captioning feature
In this method, upload the video to YouTube and use its automatic captioning feature to generate captions for your video, then download the captions and import them into iMovie.
🔴 Steps To Follow:
Step 1: Upload your video to YouTube as unlisted or private.
Step 2: Wait for YouTube to auto-generate captions for your video.
Step 3: Review and edit the captions in YouTube Studio if needed.

Step 4: Download the captions as an SRT file.
Step 5: Import the SRT file into iMovie and add captions to your video.
4. Kapwing’s Subtitle tool
In this method, use Kapwing, an online video editing tool, to create captions for your video and then import the captioned video into iMovie.
🔴 Steps To Follow:
Step 1: Visit kapwing.com and click on “Tools” in the navigation bar.
Step 2: Select the “Subtitle Video” tool.

Step 3: Upload your video or paste a URL.

Step 4: Add and edit captions using the subtitle editor.
Step 5: Export the captioned video and download it.
Step 6: Import the downloaded video into iMovie and continue editing as needed.
5. QuickTime Player’s text track feature
In this method, use QuickTime Player’s text track feature to add captions directly to your video file before importing it into iMovie.
🔴 Steps To Follow:
Step 1: Open QuickTime Player and create a text track by clicking “File” and then “New Text Track.”
Step 2: Add captions to the text track, including timestamps and text formatting.

Step 3: Save the text track file with a “.txt” extension.
Step 4: Open your video file in QuickTime Player.
Step 5: Click “Edit” in the menu bar and select “Add Text Track,” then choose your saved text track file.
Step 6: Save your video with captions by clicking “File” and then “Save.”
Step 7: Import the captioned video into iMovie and continue editing as needed.
6. Veed.io’s Online Subtitle Editor
In this method, use Veed.io, an online video editing tool, to create captions for your video and then import the captioned video into iMovie.
🔴 Steps To Follow:
Step 1: Visit veed.io and click “Upload Your Video.”

Step 2: Upload your video or paste a URL.

Step 3: Click on “Subtitles” in the left menu and select “Auto Subtitles” or “Manual Subtitles” to add captions.

Step 4: Edit and adjust the captions using the subtitle editor.
Step 5: Then, export the captioned video.
Step 6: Import the downloaded video into iMovie and continue editing as needed.
7. Using the Subler Application
In this method, use Subler, a free Mac application, to add captions to your video file before importing it into iMovie.
🔴 Steps To Follow:
Step 1: Download and install Subler on your Mac.

Step 2: Open Subler and click “File,” then “Open” to import your video file.
Step 3: Click the “Add Track” icon and select your SRT caption file.
Step 4: Click “File” and then “Save” to save your video with captions.
Step 5: Import the captioned video into iMovie and continue editing as needed.
8. Using Adobe Premiere Pro
In this method, just use Adobe Premiere Pro’s captioning feature to add captions to your video, then export the video to import into iMovie.
🔴 Steps To Follow:
Step 1: Open Adobe Premiere Pro and import your video clip.
Step 2: Add captions using the “Captions” panel.

Step 3: Edit and adjust the captions as needed.
Step 4: After that, download your video.
Step 5: Import the captioned video into iMovie and continue editing as needed.
9. Using Aegisub
In this method, just use Aegisub, a free, open-source subtitle editor, to create captions for your video, and then import the SRT file into iMovie.
🔴 Steps To Follow:
Step 1: Download and install Aegisub on your computer.
Step 2: Open Aegisub and import your video file.

Step 3: Create captions using the built-in tools, including timestamps and text formatting.
Step 4: Save your captions as an SRT file.
Step 5: Import the SRT file into iMovie and add captions to your video.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How do you add text captions to an iMovie?
To add text captions in iMovie, first, open your project in iMovie. Then, click on the “Titles” tab above the preview window. Browse through the available title styles and drag your preferred title style onto the timeline above the clip where you want the caption to appear. Double-click the text box in the preview window to edit the text, and customize the font, size, and color as needed.
2. Can iMovie do auto-captions?
iMovie does not have an automatic captioning feature built-in. To add captions, you need to manually create and edit text captions using the “Titles” tab in iMovie.
3. Can you add subtitles in iMovie on iPhone?
Yes, you can add subtitles in iMovie on your iPhone. Open your project in the iMovie app and tap the “+” button, then choose “Title” from the options. Scroll through the available title styles and tap on your preferred style. Drag the title to the desired position on the timeline and tap the text box in the preview window to edit the text.
4. How do I add captions to an existing video?
To add captions to an existing video, you can use a video editing tool like iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, or an online platform like Kapwing. Import your video into the editor, add text captions using the available title or caption features, and then synchronize the captions with the audio. Finally, export the captioned video.
5. How do you add subtitles to a trailer in iMovie?
To add subtitles to a trailer in iMovie, first, create a new project and choose “Trailer.” Select your preferred trailer template and click “Create.” Once the trailer project opens, switch to the “Storyboard” tab and click on the text box where you want to add subtitles. Type your subtitles, and iMovie will automatically adjust the text duration to match the clip length.
6. How do I add subtitles to a video on a Mac?
To add subtitles to a video on a Mac, you can use video editing software like iMovie or a third-party application like Subtitle Edit Pro. Import your video, create text captions, or import a subtitle file, and then synchronize the subtitles with the video. Once you’re satisfied with the placement and timing, export the captioned video.
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