To loop a video and save it as a file, open the MobileStudio Video Trimmer, select the part you want to repeat, choose a loop count (2, 3, 5, or 10), and export one MP4 that plays the section back to back. To just loop playback without making a new file, use the loop setting in your video player: QuickTime, VLC, and YouTube all have one.
The short answer
| Goal | Best way |
|---|---|
| A new file that repeats | Video Trimmer, Loop count, Export |
| Play on repeat on Mac | QuickTime, View > Loop |
| Play on repeat on Windows | VLC loop button |
| Repeat a YouTube video | Right-click the video, Loop |
| Forward-then-backward loop | Boomerang |
Why save a looped video file?
Most social apps play a video once, or loop it automatically only while it's on screen. When you need a clip to repeat inside a presentation, a product page, a story, or a reel, the loop has to be in the file itself. Repeating a short clip three or five times also makes it long enough for platforms with a minimum length.
How do I loop a video and save it?
- Open the Video Trimmer.
- Drop in the video.
- Drag the handles to the section you want to repeat. Shorter sections loop more smoothly.
- Under Loop, choose 2, 3, 5, or 10 times.
- Click Export. The output plays the selection that many times in a row.
The tool also has a Mute switch, which is handy when a repeating sound would get annoying. The export is capped at 15 minutes, so a 2-minute section can repeat up to 7 times.
How do I make a loop look smooth?
- Pick a section that starts and ends in the same position, like a spinning logo, a pendulum, or waves.
- Cut on movement, so the jump back to the start isn't noticed.
- Keep it short. Two to six seconds loops best.
- Mute it, so the audio doesn't restart abruptly.
Arrow keys move each handle one frame, which helps match the first and last frames. For more on choosing the section, see how to trim a video.
How do I loop a video on iPhone?
iPhone's Photos app doesn't loop regular videos, but it has a Loop effect for Live Photos: open the Live Photo, swipe up or tap the Live menu, and choose Loop. For a normal video, use the browser trimmer in Safari to export a looped MP4. Apple's video editing guide covers the other Photos edits.
How do I loop playback on a computer?
- Mac: open the video in QuickTime Player and choose View > Loop. Apple's QuickTime guide covers the export options if you want a copy.
- Windows: open it in VLC and click the loop button until it shows the repeat-one icon.
- YouTube: right-click the video and choose Loop.
These only repeat playback; they don't change the file.
How do I loop a video with FFmpeg?
ffmpeg -stream_loop 4 -i input.mp4 -c copy output.mp4
-stream_loop 4 plays the input 4 extra times, 5 in total. The FFmpeg documentation explains the option. For a section of a longer video, trim it first.
Can I loop a video forward and backward?
Yes. That's a boomerang: the clip plays forward, then in reverse. See how to make a boomerang video, which uses Reverse Video for the backward half.
Where MobileStudio fits
The trimmer is one of our free tools. MobileStudio itself turns screen recordings into polished app demos with device frames and zooms. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
How do I make a video repeat?
Export a looped copy with the Video Trimmer, or turn on loop in your player.
Can I loop only part of a video?
Yes. Drag the trimmer's handles to that part before choosing a loop count.
How do I loop a video on Instagram?
Instagram loops Reels automatically. For a story, export a looped copy so it fills the time.
Does looping a video reduce quality?
The section is re-encoded at high quality, so the difference is very hard to see.
How many times can I loop a video?
Up to 10 times in the trimmer, as long as the total stays under 15 minutes.
