How to speed up video on iPhone

iPhone 16 Pro shown held in hand — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

You don't need to download third-party apps or have advanced editing skills to speed up your iPhone videos. Whether you're trying to create engaging social media content or just want to speed through a lengthy video, adjusting playback speed on your iPhone is simpler than you might think.

Apple provides multiple built-in options to modify video speed, with both the Photos app and iMovie offering different levels of control. The method you choose depends on your needs — the Photos app offers quick, simple adjustments, while iMovie provides more precise control over speed changes.

1. Use the Photos app

Open Photos and select your video. Tap Edit, then the timer icon to access speed controls. Choose your desired playback speed from the available options, then tap Done to save your changes.

2. Try iMovie

Launch iMovie and import your video. Tap the clip in the timeline, then select the Speed button. Choose your preferred speed using the bar and tap Done to save.

Always preview your speed adjustments before saving to ensure the pacing works for your needs. Different content types may need different speeds for optimal viewing.

3. Speed up Youtube videos

While watching a YouTube video, tap the screen and select the cog in the top right. Tap playback speed and you can choose a speed ranging from 0.25 to 2X speed.

Now that you know all the ways to speed up video on your iPhone, why not check out some of our other useful guides. We break down simply and easily how to unlock your iPhone — every method explained, how to change your iPhone name, and how to turn off Apple Intelligence on your iPhone.

Kaycee is Tom's Guide's How-To Editor, known for tutorials that get straight to what works. She writes across phones, homes, TVs and everything in between — because life doesn't stick to categories and neither should good advice. She's spent years in content creation doing one thing really well: making complicated things click. Kaycee is also an award-winning poet and co-editor at Fox and Star Books.