Apple adds external storage support for iMovie, new content for Clips in app updates

On the heels of Tuesday's release of iOS 13.1, Apple issued a pair of updates to first-party video content creation apps iMovie and Clips, adding new features like support for external storage, Dark Mode and more.

The latest version 2.2.8 of iMovie offers users the ability to access files and media from external hard drives, SD cards via card readers and USB drives. Similar functionality was added to the Files app with the release of iOS 13 last week.

In addition to new external storage, iMovie now automatically adjusts a selected soundtrack to match a movie's specified length when new theme music is added in project settings. Previously, users were prompted to manually trim audio.

The latest iMovie release also supports Dark Mode and Share Sheet options in iOS 13, as well as the usual performance and stability improvements.

As for Clips, Apple's video clip creator gets access to 19 animated emoji stickers like party poppers with confetti. Users can apply the stickers on top of created content for a fun, unique look.

Alongside emoji stickers, Clips adds three new posters in an embossed snowflake card, red envelope for Lunar New Year and glowing candles.

Like iMovie, Clips also gains support for iOS 13's new Dark Mode and Share Sheet capabilities. Performance and stability improvements are likewise incorporated in the latest release.

Both iMovie and Clips are free downloads from the iOS App Store, with iMovie coming in at 617.3MB and Clips tipping the scales at 173.4MB.

14 Comments

iOS_Guy80 898 comments · 5 Years

About 5 years ago

Clips is a great quick go to video app for creative and fun video Clips.

emoeller 588 comments · 17 Years

Not too happy with the external storage - I encrypt my any external drives and those don't seem to be recognized. Also having difficulty with simple unencrypted thumb drives - sometimes they won't show up unless I reboot the iPad Pro with the USB inserted. I've tried several adaptors some work better than others, but none seem to work all of the ime.

Anyone else having difficulties? This was THE single most important new feature for me....

JinTech 1050 comments · 9 Years

emoeller said:

Not too happy with the external storage - I encrypt my any external drives and those don't seem to be recognized. Also having difficulty with simple unencrypted thumb drives - sometimes they won't show up unless I reboot the iPad Pro with the USB inserted. I've tried several adaptors some work better than others, but none seem to work all of the ime.

Anyone else having difficulties? This was THE single most important new feature for me....

Being that this feature is brand new, I’m sure it will be refined in a couple of 13.x releases.

tpf1952 65 comments · 15 Years

I'm really eager for other iPad app developers to provide access to external storage: Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer and Luma Touch especially.

Tom

lowededwookie 1173 comments · 16 Years

iOS_Guy80 said:

Clips is a great quick go to video app for creative and fun video Clips.

I prefer it more for Instagram videos than using the builtin Instagram video recorder for the simple fact that the camera shoots video the correct way round. It's easiest to spot when you have text in the image. It's also why I upload photos to Instagram that I took with the internal camera rather than ones I took with Instagram.