So you want to make time go backwards. Maybe it's a "satisfying" video of someone un-spilling a glass of water, or perhaps you just want to make a backflip look like a weird gravity-defying leap. Honestly, it's one of the oldest tricks in the book. But if you’re staring at the iMovie interface on your screen and feeling like you’re playing a game of "Where's Waldo" with the reverse button, you aren't alone.
The reality is that Apple treats the Mac and the iPhone very differently when it comes to this specific feature. It’s annoying, but basically, how do you reverse a video in iMovie depends entirely on whether you have a mouse or a touchscreen in your hand.
On a Mac? It’s a two-click job. On an iPhone? Well, I’ve got some bad news and a couple of sneaky workarounds for you. Let’s get into the weeds of how this actually works in 2026.
Reversing Clips on iMovie for Mac: The Easy Way
If you’re on a MacBook or an iMac, you’re in luck. Apple kept the "Reverse" toggle right where it’s been for years, tucked under the speed settings. You don't need any weird plugins or extra software.
1. Highlight your clip
First, drag your footage into the timeline. If you only want to reverse a part of a long video, you’ve gotta split it first. Use Command + B to chop the clip at the start and end of the section you want to flip. Click on that specific segment so it has that yellow highlight around it.
2. Find the "Speedometer"
Look at the toolbar right above the preview window (the big player where you watch your edit). There is an icon that looks like a little speedometer or a clock. Click that.
3. Check the "Reverse" box
Once you click the speed icon, a few options appear. Right there on the right side, there’s a checkbox labeled Reverse. Click it.
👉 See also: iPhone 13 mini Deals: Why This Tiny Powerhouse Still Wins in 2026
iMovie will take a second to process (usually just a few moments depending on how beefy your Mac is), and then a small "reverse" icon—a backward-pointing arrow—will appear on the clip in your timeline. You’re done.
Pro Tip: When you reverse a clip, the audio goes backward too. Usually, this sounds like absolute gibberish or a scene from a horror movie. If that’s not the vibe you’re going for, right-click the clip and select Detach Audio. You can then delete the backward audio and put some music or a sound effect over it instead.
The "iPhone Problem": Why iMovie iOS is Different
Here’s the thing that trips everyone up. You open iMovie on your iPhone, you tap the clip, you look through every menu—Filter, Speed, Volume—and the word "Reverse" is nowhere to be found.
iMovie for iOS does not have a native reverse button. It’s bizarre. We’re in 2026, and Apple still hasn’t added this to the mobile app. Why? Maybe they think it’s too processor-heavy for a phone, or maybe they just want to keep the mobile interface "simple." Either way, if you want to reverse a video on your iPhone, you have to use a workaround.
The "Reverse Cam" Workaround
The most common way people handle this is by using a secondary app. There are dozens of "Reverse Video" apps on the App Store.
- CapCut is probably the most popular "heavy hitter" that does this easily. You just import the clip, hit the "Reverse" button in the toolbar, and export it.
- Reverse Vid is a simpler, single-purpose app.
You basically reverse the clip in one of these apps first, save it to your Photos, and then import that backward clip into your iMovie project. It's a bit of a "round-trip" process, but it works.
The "No-App" Browser Method
If you're out of storage and can't download another app, you can use a web tool like EZGIF or Kapwing in Safari.
- Go to the site.
- Upload your clip.
- Hit "Reverse."
- Download the result and bring it into iMovie.
Just be careful with web tools if you’re working with high-res 4K footage; they often compress the living daylights out of your video, making it look crunchy.
What Most People Get Wrong About Reversing Video
A lot of editors think they can just hit reverse and the job is done. But if you want it to look professional, you've got to think about the "Speed Ramp."
Sometimes a reversed clip looks "fake" because the motion is too linear. In iMovie on Mac, after you check that Reverse box, you can still use the speed slider. If you’re reversing a clip of someone jumping into a pool, slowing it down to 50% while it’s in reverse makes the "magic" look way more dramatic.
🔗 Read more: Is the Sig Romeo 7 Discontinued? Why It’s Actually Vanishing From Store Shelves
Also, watch your transitions. Jumping from a forward-moving clip straight into a reversed one can be jarring for the viewer's brain. Use a quick Cross Dissolve or a Blur transition to bridge the gap. It makes the "time shift" feel intentional rather than like a glitch in the edit.
Handling the Audio Weirdness
As I mentioned earlier, backward audio is usually a mess. However, in iMovie for Mac, you can actually use this for creative effect. If you have a clip of someone talking and you reverse it, try lowering the pitch. It creates a very specific "dream sequence" or "alien" sound that’s hard to replicate otherwise.
If you're on iPhone using a third-party app to reverse, most of them will give you the option to "Mute" the reversed clip automatically. Take it. You’ll thank me later when you aren't stuck with "snibi-gabb-glub" sounds in your final export.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Project
Ready to get started? Here is exactly what you should do right now depending on your device:
📖 Related: HDMI Cable What Is It Used For: The Simple Answer for 2026 and Beyond
- On Mac: Select your clip, click the Speedometer icon, and check the Reverse box. If the audio sounds like a demon, right-click and Detach Audio to delete it.
- On iPhone: Don't waste time looking for the button—it's not there. Download CapCut or use EZGIF.com, reverse the specific clip there, save it to your camera roll, and then pull it into your iMovie timeline.
- Check the Frame Rate: If your reversed video looks "choppy," it might be because the original was filmed at 24fps. Reversing works best with 60fps or higher because it gives the software more frames to work with when it's re-ordering the sequence.
Reversing video is a classic "power move" in editing that takes about five seconds once you know where the button is (or which app to download). Whether you're making a TikTok or a short film, it's a great tool to have in your back pocket.