[Mac & iOS] The Complete Guide to Stabilize Video in iMovie

Tired of shaky videos ruining your content? Learn how to stabilize footage in iMovie and discover a faster, AI-powered alternative.

This tool helps you to stabilize the iMovie video by revealing the step-by-step guide on Mac and iPhone. Apart from video stabilization iMovie, this guide also introduces the best alternative to iMovie while stabilizing the videos.

Part 1. How to Stabilize a Video in iMovie for iOS?

Struggling with shaky iPhone videos that ruin your content? iMovie for iPhone is your answer. This intuitive mobile app specifically targets the frustration for creators—unsteady footage—by letting you smooth out shakes effortlessly while preserving your video’s original clarity. Beyond stabilization, iMovie packs powerful yet easy-to-use editing tools, making it perfect for beginners who want professional results without complicated workflows.

Here's how to stabilize video in iMovie on iPhone.

Install & Launch: Download iMovie from the App Store, then open the app and import the shaky video you want to fix.

Stabilize in 3 Taps:

• Tap the File button → Select Analyze for Stabilization (let the app scan your video).
• After analysis, tap the gear icon that appears.
• Under Clip Adjustments, toggle on Smooth Clip Motion to auto-stabilize.

Part 2. How to Stabilize Shaky Videos in iMovie on Mac

Apart from learning how to stabilize shaky video in iMovie on iPhone, you can go for the iMovie stabilize shaky video on Mac. Stabilizing the videos on Mac is better than doing it on the iOS device as the Mac version of the iMovie comes up with more professional and advanced features. iMovie also tends to maintain the original video quality, and regardless of which video format you've created the video in, it supports multiple video formats.

Here's how to stabilize video in iMovie on Mac computer.

1. Import & Select Video

• Open iMovie on your Mac and drag your video into the timeline.
• Click the video to select it, then look at the preview window’s top bar for the Adjustments panel (includes Crop, Speed, etc.).

2. Enable Stabilization

• Click the Stabilization icon (looks like a compass).
• Check the box next to Stabilize Shaky Video to activate auto-stabilization.

3. Adjust Strength & Preview

Use the slider next to the checkbox to tweak stabilization intensity:

• Drag right for stronger stabilization (more cropping).
• Drag left for gentler adjustments (less cropping).
• Click Play to preview. If unhappy, click Reset to start over.

Part 3. Best Alternative for iMovie Video Stabilization with HitPaw Univd

While going for iMovie video stabilization is useful, iMovie has a longer processing time and offers less control while editing the video. Thus, looking at the alternative to the iMovie, there won't be any better option than the HitPaw Univd.

It is a powerful video editor that helps you stabilize the videos while maintaining the original quality and resolution. Stabilizing the various videos at once is also possible as HitPaw Univd supports the batch processing. Apart from stabilizing the videos, HitPaw Univd also enables you to perform multiple significant editing operations on the video and the best thing to like about the HitPaw Univd is that it doesn't include the annoying watermark into the provided you've got the premium package of the HitPaw Univd.

Why many Creators Switched from iMovie to HitPaw Univd?

Features

HitPaw Univd’s Exclusive Advantages (iMovie Can’t Match)

1. AI-Powered Stabilization

Automatically detects shaky frames and preserves 100% original resolution—no manual tweaking needed.

2. Cross-Platform Efficiency

Works flawlessly on Windows & Mac, and exports to Final Cut Pro/Premiere Pro projects.

3. All-in-One Creator Toolkit

AI Subtitle Generator: Auto-transcribe speech to text (supports 20+ languages).

Background Remover: Replace greenscreen-free backgrounds in 3 clicks (ideal for YouTubers).

Smart Compressor: Reduce 10GB videos to 1GB without quality loss.

Here's how to stabilize videos through the HitPaw Univd

Step 1: Click the Download icon to download HitPaw Univd - Open the program and click the Edit button - Click the Video Stabilization button, upload the video you want to stabilize, and the program will automatically start stabilizing and analyzing it.

Step 2: Once you've completed the auto stabilization, you can review the video to see if it is stabilized properly and smoothly.

Step 3: If you're not satisfied with the video's outcome, you can increase the stabilization ratio to up to 70%. You'll need to notice that the large ratio means that picture is more stable than you anticipated.

Step 4: Now, you'll need to preview the videos' credentials again and check whether you're satisfied with the video stabilization. You can stabilize the video quickly if you have a fast internet connection and the network isn't interrupted during the video stabilizing process.

If you're happy with the overall results of the video, you can tap on the Export button. Doing so helps you to download the video into the favourite location on the computer.

Part 4. FAQ of iMovie Video Stabilization

Final Words

Struggling with shaky videos can severely undermine your social - media content’s impact. While we’ve detailed iMovie’s stabilization methods for both Mac and iPhone, its slow processing is a major drawback.

Enter HitPaw Univd—the ultimate solution! With lightning - fast AI - driven stabilization, batch - processing capabilities for multiple videos, and watermark - free exports for premium users, it outshines iMovie. [Click to Download HitPaw Univd now] and effortlessly elevate your videos—supercharge your content’s quality and efficiency today!