To trim a video, choose a new start and end point and save the part in between. Every device can do it for free: Photos on iPhone, Google Photos on Android, QuickTime on Mac, and Clipchamp on Windows. For frame-accurate cuts on any device, the MobileStudio Video Trimmer runs in your browser, can also mute or loop the clip, and never uploads the video.
The short answer
| You're on | Free built-in way | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone or iPad | Photos | Edit, drag the frame viewer ends, Save |
| Android | Google Photos | Edit, drag the trim handles, Save copy |
| Mac | QuickTime Player | Edit > Trim, drag yellow handles |
| Windows | Clipchamp | Drag the clip's green handles, Export |
| Any device | Video Trimmer | Drag handles, Export MP4 |
What does it mean to trim a video?
Trimming removes footage from the start, the end, or both, so only one continuous section is left. It's different from cutting out the middle, which needs splitting the clip into pieces. If that's what you need, see how to cut the middle out of a video.
How do I trim a video in my browser?
- Open the Video Trimmer.
- Drop in your video (MP4, MOV, or WebM).
- Drag the purple handles on the filmstrip to the start and end you want. Arrow keys move a handle one frame at a time, and I and O set the start and end at the playhead.
- Optionally turn on Mute or choose a Loop count.
- Click Export and download the MP4.
The cut lands on the exact frame you chose, rather than jumping to the nearest keyframe, which many quick trimmers do.
How do I trim a video on iPhone?
Open the video in Photos, tap Edit, and drag either end of the frame viewer under the video. Tap Done, then Save Video to replace the original or Save Video as New Clip to keep both. Apple covers this in its trim guide. Full walkthrough: how to trim a video on iPhone.
How do I trim a video on Android?
Open the video in Google Photos, tap Edit, and drag the handles at either end of the timeline. Tap Save copy. Google's video editing help shows the same steps. More in how to trim a video on Android.
How do I trim a video on a computer?
- Mac: open the video in QuickTime Player, choose Edit > Trim (Command-T), drag the yellow handles, and click Trim, per Apple's QuickTime guide. Then save. Steps: trim a video on Mac.
- Windows: in Clipchamp, drag the green handles on the clip in the timeline, then export. Microsoft's Clipchamp guide covers it. Steps: trim a video on Windows.
Does trimming a video reduce quality?
It depends on the tool. Some apps cut at keyframes and copy the video untouched, which is lossless but can be off by a second. Others re-encode for a frame-accurate cut, which loses a tiny amount of quality at high settings. The Video Trimmer re-encodes at high quality so the cut is exact. For the trade-offs, see how to trim a video without losing quality.
Why trim before sharing or compressing?
A shorter video is a smaller file, so trimming is the best way to make a clip fit email or Discord without losing sharpness. Trim first, then run it through the video compressor if it's still too big.
Where MobileStudio fits
The trimmer is one of our free tools. MobileStudio itself turns screen recordings into polished app demos, with trimming, device frames, and zooms built in. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
What's the easiest way to trim a video?
Use the editor on your device: Photos on iPhone, Google Photos on Android, QuickTime on Mac, or Clipchamp on Windows. The browser trimmer works everywhere.
Can I trim a video without an app?
Yes. The browser trimmer needs nothing installed.
Can I undo a trim?
On iPhone, open the video, tap Edit, then Revert, unless you saved it as a new clip.
How do I trim a video to exactly 30 seconds?
Type the start and end times into the trimmer's time fields, or watch the selection length as you drag.
Does trimming change the video format?
The browser trimmer exports MP4. Photos and QuickTime keep the original format.
