To crop a video on Android, open it in Google Photos, tap Edit, then Crop, choose an Aspect ratio like square, drag the frame, and tap Save copy. Samsung Gallery works the same way. Both are free and built in. For a 9:16 or 4:5 crop with an MP4 export, use the MobileStudio Crop Video tool in Chrome.
The short answer
| Phone | Steps |
|---|---|
| Any phone with Google Photos | Edit > Crop > Aspect ratio > Save copy |
| Samsung Galaxy | Gallery > Edit > Crop icon > Save |
| Any phone, more presets | Crop Video in Chrome |
How do I crop a video in Google Photos?
- Open Google Photos and tap the video.
- Tap Edit, then Crop.
- Tap Aspect ratio and pick a shape, such as Square, or drag the corners freely.
- Drag the video to position it inside the frame.
- Tap Save copy.
Google's video editing help lists these tools. It also notes that some editing features need Android 6.0 or later and enough memory, so older phones may not show Crop.
How do I crop a video on Samsung?
- Open the video in Gallery and tap the Edit (pencil) icon.
- Tap the crop icon.
- Choose a ratio or drag the corners.
- Tap Save or Save as copy.
Samsung's Gallery guide covers the editor. Names may differ slightly by One UI version.
How do I crop a video to 9:16 on Android?
Google Photos' ratios vary by version, and not every phone offers 9:16 or 4:5. The browser tool always does:
- Open Crop Video in Chrome.
- Pick the video.
- Choose 9:16 (or 4:5, 1:1, 16:9, Free).
- Drag the crop box over your subject.
- Tap Crop & download.
The MP4 saves to Downloads with the original sound. See how to make a video vertical for tips on framing.
Which ratio should I crop to?
| Where you'll post | Ratio |
|---|---|
| TikTok, Reels, Shorts | 9:16 |
| Instagram feed | 4:5 or 1:1 |
| YouTube | 16:9 |
| WhatsApp status | 9:16 |
Instagram accepts Reels from 1.91:1 to 9:16, according to its Reels help page. More in video aspect ratios explained.
Does cropping a video on Android lose quality?
The kept area isn't degraded, but the frame has fewer pixels. A hard crop of a 1080p landscape video to vertical leaves a narrow strip, which can look soft. Record vertically when you know the video is for Reels or TikTok.
How do I frame the crop well?
Before you crop, play the video once and watch where the subject moves. A fixed crop can't follow a person walking across the frame, so pick an area that contains the action the whole time. Leave a little space above heads, keep faces in the upper third, and check the first and last seconds, where people often drift out of a tight crop.
Can I crop and rotate at the same time?
Yes. The Crop screen in Google Photos includes Rotate, which turns the video 90 degrees, and a dial to straighten it. For rotating only, see the rotate and flip tool. Recording your screen to crop later? See how to screen record on Android.
Where MobileStudio fits
Crop Video is one of our free tools. MobileStudio, on Google Play, turns screen recordings into polished app demos in any aspect ratio. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
Can I crop a video on Android without an app?
Yes. Google Photos is built in, and Crop Video runs in Chrome.
How do I crop a video to square on Android?
In Google Photos, tap Edit > Crop > Aspect ratio > Square.
Why is there no Crop option in Google Photos?
Your phone or Android version may not support video editing. Use the browser tool.
Does Google Photos keep the original?
Yes. Save copy keeps the original video.
Does cropping keep the sound?
Yes, in Google Photos and the browser tool.
