How to Separate Audio from Video in iMovie

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How to Separate Audio from Video in iMovie

Last Updated: 2023. 05. 15

Audio is an inseparable part of a video, but can be separated from the video, with the help of iMovie.

If you are trying hard to extract audio from video with iMovie, stop doing endless searching. Here is the article you need. Whether you are using iPhone, iPad or Mac computer, you will always find a way to separate audio from video. Let’s dive in.

Also Read: 8 Best Video Background Music Resources >

How to Separate Audio from Video in iMovie on Mac

Separate Audio from Video by Downloading the Audio Separate Audio from Video in the Timeline for Future Use

How to Separate Audio from Video in iMovie on iPhone/iPad

How to Separate Audio from Video in iMovie on Mac

To separate audio from video in iMovie, you can choose to download the audio only, or separate the audio and video in the timeline for future use. Refer to the part you need.

Method 1. Separate Audio from Video by Downloading the Audio

Step 1

Launch iMovie. Hit Create New tab to start a new project.

Step 2

Click on the Import Media button. Find the video you want to edit.

Step 3

Drag the video to the timeline.

Step 4

Click on the Share button, select File from the drop-down menu.

Step 5

In the pop-up window, change the format from Video and Audio Only, and then select any audio format. Click Download.

Separate Audio from Video in iMovie - Method 1

Method 2. Separate Audio from Video in the Timeline for Future Use

Step 1

Create a new project in iMovie, drag and drop the video as mentioned above.

Step 2

Right-click on the clip while holding the Control button. Choose Detach Audio from the menu.

Separate Audio from Video in iMovie - Method 2

Step 3

The audio will show itself in blue below the video, instead of green. That means the video and the audio are still attached to each other. Drag the audio clip somewhere else in the timeline.

Step 4

Now, you can edit the audio and video separately.

How to Separate Audio from Video in iMovie on iPhone/iPad

The process to separate audio from video with iMovie on iPhone/iPad might be different from that on Mac. However, they also share lots of similarities.

Step 1

Open the video with iMovie on your mobile devices.

Step 2

Tap on the scissors icon, also called the Actions button, then choose Detach.

Step 3

Like what's on the Mac, the audio file will appear in blue below the video. Tap Background. Move the audio so that it turns into the background music.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. How to Add Audio Only in iMovie on Mac?

If you want to add only audio to iMovie instead of a whole video clip, you can upload the video to the timeline, and then tap the More option, choose Audio Only. You now have successfully added audio only in iMovie.

2. iMovie detached audio greyed out, why and how to fix?

There are two reasons why iMovie detached audio greyed out. First, your video doesn’t have any audio attached. Secondly, iMovie preference you set up stops the detaching process.

To fix it, you can either check if your video has any audio attached, or delete iMovie preferences.