Apple updates iMovie, GarageBand for iOS ahead of iPhone 12 launch

Apple on Thursday updated the iOS versions of iMovie and GarageBand with new features, including support for HDR videos on the iPhone 12.

The iMovie updated packs a slew of new features, including new title customization options, various movie backgrounds, and a slider that allows users to tweak the photo and video filter intensity.

Ahead of Friday's iPhone 12 launch, Apple has also added the ability to view, edit, and share HDR clips from a user's Photo library, among other new features.

The full release notes for iMovie for iOS are available below.

• Customize any title by selecting from dozens of built-in fonts
• Adjust the color of any title by selecting from a grid or spectrum of presets, adjusting numerical sliders, or using the eyedropper in the viewer
• Quickly change a title's default style, capitalization and duration
• Pinch and drag to adjust the size and location of any title
• Choose from three new animated titles: Slide, Split and dual-color Chromatic
• Add solid, gradient, and patterned backgrounds to your movie
• Use the color picker to customize the colors of any background
• Drag the slider to change the intensity of any filter applied to your photos and videos
• Import and share 4K videos at 60 frames per second*
• View, edit, and share High Dynamic Range (HDR) videos from your Photos library**
• Tap the new options button at the top of the Share sheet to share a project or video file and choose properties including resolution, frame rate, and HDR**

* 4K at 60 frames per second requires iPod touch (7th generation), iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 7 or later, iPad (6th generation) or later, iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air 3 or later, 10.5-inch iPad Pro or later

** Editing and sharing HDR video requires iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X or later, iPad mini (5th generation), iPad (7th generation) or later, iPad Air 3 or later, 10.5-inch iPad Pro or later

Additionally, Apple has also added a few new features to the iOS version of GarageBand. That includes the option to quickly start audio recordings from the Home Screen by tapping and holding the app icon.

There's also a new "Keyboard Collection" sound pack with more than 150 loops to use in tracks, as well as an update that allows users to set the maximum song length at default tempo from 23 to 72 minutes. Users can also switch the ruler from musical bars and beats to minutes and seconds.

Both iMovie and GarageBand are free downloads from the App Store. The new updates require iOS 14 or later.