How to Add Text in iMovie – Simple Steps for Apple Devices

From titles and captions to labels and quotes, adding text helps guide viewers, emphasize key points, and elevate the clarity of your message. Mastering how to add texts in iMovie gives creators more control over storytelling and enhances every edit with meaning and precision.

This guide breaks down exactly how to launch iMovie, add, style, and refine text in iMovie. You'll learn the key steps, from basic placement to more advanced formatting – so you can make every word on screen count.

The iMovie app is designed for ease of use across Apple devices. On Mac, the interface features a clean timeline at the bottom, a media browser on the left, and a preview screen on the right – perfect for dragging clips and checking edits in real time. On iPhone and iPad, the layout is more compact but equally intuitive. 

The viewer interface on each device is designed to help beginners and pros alike preview and adjust with precision.

You can tap, swipe, and pinch to zoom through your timeline or trim a video clip with just a few gestures. Whether on desktop or mobile, adding text in iMovie is easily accessible from the main toolbar. The pre-installed title tools make it easy to get started quickly.

To begin, launch iMovie and create a new project. Once inside, you’ll navigate through basic tools like media import, trimming, and the titles section. Here’s how to get set up:

1. Open iMovie and tap or click Create New Project.

2. Choose Movie from the options.

3. Import or drag your video clip into the timeline.

4. Click the Titles tab to start working with text in iMovie.

5. Use the preview screen to check your edits live and select titles that match your vision.

When working on iMovie videos, understanding the interface is key to efficient editing. Whether you’re trimming video clips or adjusting audio, the layout is built for intuitive use. Here are the main components you’ll use across your project timeline:

• Toolbar – where you access tools for importing media, adding titles, transitions, and more.

• Timeline – the project timeline where you assemble, trim, and arrange each video clip.

• Preview section – shows real-time playback of your edits and lets you review your screen before exporting. You’ll also use it to align the title layout with your visual timing.

Adding text in iMovie on a Mac is fast and intuitive. Whether you're labeling scenes or creating animated intros, iMovie gives you flexible tools to control how text appears in your video. Here's how to get started, step by step.

To add text to iMovie on a Mac, start by navigating to the Titles button located above the media library. Click it to open a panel filled with various title templates and text styles. These templates determine how your text in iMovie will appear – animated, static, lower third, and more.

1. Click the Titles button in the top toolbar to display available templates.

2. Choose a style that fits your video’s tone.

Once you’ve selected a title, simply drag the text template from the Titles panel down to the timeline. Place it above the specific clip where you want the text to appear. Some templates even include a text slide animation for added flair. As you position it, the preview screen will show how it looks in real time. This is how you accurately add text to iMovie and align it with your content.

To refine your text in iMovie, simply double-click the text box in the preview screen. This opens the text inspector where you can change the font, size, and color. Choose from the fonts installed on your Mac and tweak the font attributes to get your desired text look. Customizing your text style ensures it matches your video’s mood and keeps your visuals consistent when you add text to iMovie.

Adding text in iMovie on iPhone or iPad is simple with the touch-friendly interface. Whether you're editing from the couch or on the move, here's how to get it done in just a few taps.

To add text to iMovie on iPhone, start by opening your project and tapping on the clip you want to edit. Look for the text button – it’s the T icon at the bottom of the screen in the iMovie on iPhone interface. Once tapped, a menu of text style options will appear, including standard titles. 

Choose a style that fits your content, and it will overlay on your video clip. You can then tap the text box to start typing your message.

When working with text in iMovie on a smaller screen, you can use simple gestures to fine-tune your text. Tap the text box, then use two fingers to drag it to your preferred spot. Pinch in or out to adjust the size and make it visually balanced. 

Tap again to access the text inspector, where you can show fonts and switch to a different font. These mobile controls make it easy to add text to iMovie even on the go.

By default, iMovie applies subtle animations to all text elements – but what if you want to add plain text without movement? Since iMovie doesn’t offer a built-in static text option, you can use creative workarounds. 

One method is exporting a sample title from Keynote with a green background, then using iMovie’s chroma key to overlay it. Another trick involves capturing a freeze frame of your video and placing static text over a black background or a solid array of lower thirds.

If you're looking for more control, using an iMovie alternative like Final Cut Pro or Movavi Video Editor gives greater flexibility. One method even includes exporting minimal animations and overlaying freeze frames with captions to simulate static styles.

If you prefer motion, you can add text to iMovie using built-in title presets, then customize them to match your project. Once placed, double-click the text to open style controls, then adjust transition and placement attributes to control how it enters and exits. This makes your text in iMovie feel polished and in sync with your video’s tone.

To make your text in iMovie stand out, focus on clean placement and maximum readability. Keep text away from the edges of the frame, use high-contrast colors, and avoid overly decorative fonts. 

If you're working with fast cuts, limit the length of each title to give viewers time to read. Explore iMovie’s editing options to adjust transition and placement attributes, making sure your text flows naturally with the visuals. 

If your text isn't showing up or is getting cut off, try reapplying the title preset or adjusting the clip duration. Still stuck? Consider using an iMovie alternative like Movavi for more advanced control and flexibility.

Pro tips

• Stick to sans-serif fonts for clean readability

• Preview on multiple devices before final export

• Duplicate your text layer before heavy edits as a backup

Learning to add text to iMovie is one of the simplest ways to level up your video editing skills. Whether you're aiming for dynamic intros or clean, minimal captions, text in iMovie helps shape your story and direct viewer focus. 

Explore both animated and static options to see what fits your style best. Use built-in presets or create overlays with external tools for more control. Don’t be afraid to try a different style for each project – each experiment brings you closer to mastering impactful storytelling. 

If you’ve picked up a new trick or crafted a great title, share it! We'd love to hear how you’re using text to elevate your videos.