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How to Crop and Resize Videos on Mobile

How to Crop and Resize Videos on Mobile

In today’s digital age, video content is king. Whether you’re a budding content creator, a social media enthusiast, or just someone who loves capturing memories, your smartphone is likely your primary video recording device. But sometimes, that raw footage needs a little tweaking before it’s ready to share with the world. Cropping out unwanted elements or resizing for different platforms are common necessities. Fortunately, you can easily learn how to crop and resize videos on mobile using the power of readily available video crop apps. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to master mobile video editing, from understanding the basics to exploring some of the best video crop apps available.

Why Crop and Resize Videos on Mobile?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why cropping and resizing are essential video editing skills, especially on mobile.

Removing Distractions: Sometimes, unwanted objects or people creep into the edges of your frame. Cropping allows you to eliminate these distractions and focus on the main subject.
Improving Composition: Cropping can enhance the composition of your video by applying techniques like the rule of thirds.
Platform Compatibility: Different social media platforms have different video aspect ratio requirements. Resizing ensures your video looks its best, no matter where it’s shared. For example, Instagram stories use a 9:16 aspect ratio, while YouTube prefers 16:9.
Highlighting Key Moments: By cropping closer to the action, you can emphasize important moments and create a more engaging viewing experience.
Optimizing File Size: Resizing videos to smaller dimensions can significantly reduce file size, making them easier to share and upload. This is particularly useful when dealing with limited data plans.

Understanding Aspect Ratios and Resolutions

Before you start cropping and resizing, it’s crucial to understand aspect ratios and resolutions. These terms define the shape and size of your video.

Aspect Ratio

The aspect ratio is the ratio of the width to the height of your video. It’s expressed as two numbers separated by a colon (e.g., 16:9). Common aspect ratios include:

16:9: Widescreen, commonly used for YouTube videos and most modern displays.
9:16: Vertical video, popular for TikTok, Instagram Stories, and Snapchat.
1:1: Square video, often used on Instagram.
4:3: Older television format, less common now.

Resolution

Resolution refers to the number of pixels in your video, expressed as width x height (e.g., 1920×1080). Higher resolution means more detail and sharper image quality. Common resolutions include:

4K (3840×2160): Ultra-high definition.
1080p (1920×1080): Full HD, a standard for online video.
720p (1280×720): HD, a good balance between quality and file size.
480p (854×480): Standard definition, suitable for smaller screens.

When resizing, consider the target platform’s recommended resolution. For example, YouTube recommends uploading videos in at least 1080p for optimal viewing.

How to Crop and Resize Videos on Mobile: Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a general step-by-step guide on how to crop and resize videos on mobile using a video crop app. Keep in mind that the exact steps may vary slightly depending on the specific app you choose.

Choose a Video Crop App: Select a video crop app from the options listed below or one that suits your needs. Download and install it on your smartphone.
Import Your Video: Open the video crop app and import the video you want to edit from your phone’s gallery.
Locate the Crop Tool: Look for the crop icon, which usually resembles a rectangle with corners that can be adjusted.
Adjust the Crop Area: Drag the corners of the crop rectangle to select the area you want to keep. Many apps offer preset aspect ratios for different platforms.
Example: If you’re cropping for an Instagram story, choose the 9:16 aspect ratio.
Preview and Adjust: Preview the cropped video to ensure it looks the way you want. Make any necessary adjustments.
Locate the Resize Tool: Some apps combine cropping and resizing into one tool. If not, look for a separate resize or resolution setting.
Choose a Resolution or Aspect Ratio: Select the desired resolution or aspect ratio for your video.
Example: To reduce file size, you might resize a 1080p video to 720p.
Export Your Video: Once you’re satisfied with the crop and resize, export the video. Choose a suitable file format (e.g., MP4) and quality setting.
Save and Share: Save the edited video to your phone’s gallery and share it on your favorite platforms.

Best Video Crop Apps for Mobile (Android & iOS)

There are many video crop apps available for both Android and iOS devices. Here are some of the best options, along with their key features:

For Android:

InShot:
InShot is a popular all-in-one video editing app with a robust cropping and resizing tool. It offers a user-friendly interface, preset aspect ratios for social media, and a wide range of other editing features, such as filters, transitions, and text overlays.
- Key Features: Precise cropping, preset aspect ratios, video trimming, filters, effects, text overlays.
- Pros: Easy to use, feature-rich, free with in-app purchases.
- Cons: Contains ads in the free version.
YouCut:
YouCut is another excellent video crop app known for its simplicity and ease of use. It allows you to crop, trim, merge, and adjust the speed of your videos. YouCut also supports exporting videos in various resolutions.
- Key Features: Simple interface, cropping, trimming, merging, speed control, resolution options.
- Pros: Free, no watermarks, easy to learn.
- Cons: Fewer advanced features compared to InShot.
FilmoraGo:
FilmoraGo is a powerful video crop app with a wide range of advanced features. It offers precise cropping and resizing tools, as well as a variety of effects, transitions, and audio editing options. A great choice for more advanced video editing needs. FilmoraGo gives you more control than many other free apps.
- Key Features: Advanced editing tools, precise cropping, effects, transitions, audio editing.
- Pros: Feature-rich, professional-looking results.
- Cons: Can be overwhelming for beginners.

For iOS:

iMovie:
iMovie is a free video editing app that comes pre-installed on most iOS devices. It offers a simple and intuitive interface, with basic cropping and resizing tools. It’s a great option for quick and easy edits.
- Key Features: Simple interface, cropping, trimming, transitions, audio editing.
- Pros: Free, easy to use, pre-installed on iOS.
- Cons: Lacks advanced features.
Clips:
Clips is another free video editing app from Apple, designed for creating short, engaging videos for social media. It offers a unique interface with live titles, stickers, and other fun elements. It’s useful for adding interest to your videos alongside basic cropping and resizing.
- Key Features: Live titles, stickers, effects, cropping, resizing.
- Pros: Free, creative features, easy to share on social media.
- Cons: Limited advanced editing options.
LumaFusion:
LumaFusion is a professional-grade video crop app for iOS devices. It offers a wide range of advanced features, including multi-track editing, color correction, and audio mixing. It’s a powerful tool for creating high-quality videos on the go. It’s a paid app, reflecting its professional capabilities.
- Key Features: Multi-track editing, color correction, audio mixing, advanced effects.
- Pros: Professional features, high-quality output.
- Cons: Paid app, steeper learning curve.

When choosing a video crop app, consider your editing needs, budget, and technical skills. Free apps are a good starting point for basic cropping and resizing, while paid apps offer more advanced features and greater control.

Tips for Cropping and Resizing Videos Effectively

Here are some tips to help you crop and resize videos on mobile effectively:

Plan Ahead: Before you start filming, think about how you might want to crop and resize the video later. This will help you frame your shots and avoid cutting off important elements.
Use the Rule of Thirds: The rule of thirds is a basic composition guideline that suggests dividing your frame into nine equal parts and placing key elements along the lines or at the intersections. This can create a more balanced and visually appealing image.
Maintain Aspect Ratio: When cropping, try to maintain the original aspect ratio of your video, unless you have a specific reason to change it. This will prevent distortion and ensure your video looks natural.
Avoid Over-Cropping: Cropping too much can result in a pixelated or blurry image. Try to crop only as much as necessary to remove distractions or improve composition.
Consider the Target Platform: When resizing, consider the recommended resolution and aspect ratio for the platform where you’ll be sharing your video. This will ensure your video looks its best on that platform.
Experiment with Different Resolutions: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different resolutions to find the right balance between quality and file size. Smaller resolutions are ideal for sharing on mobile devices or uploading to social media, while higher resolutions are better for viewing on larger screens.
Backup Your Original Video: Before you start editing, always make a backup of your original video. This will protect you from accidentally deleting or overwriting your original footage.
Preview on Different Devices: After you’ve cropped and resized your video, preview it on different devices (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer) to ensure it looks good on all screens.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter issues when cropping and resizing videos on mobile. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

Video Quality Loss: Cropping and resizing can sometimes reduce video quality. To minimize quality loss, use a high-quality video crop app and avoid over-cropping.
Distorted Aspect Ratio: If your video looks stretched or squashed, you might have accidentally changed the aspect ratio. Make sure to maintain the correct aspect ratio when cropping and resizing.
File Size Too Large: If your video file size is too large, try resizing it to a lower resolution or compressing the video.
App Crashing: If your video crop app is crashing, try closing and reopening the app, or restarting your device. You might also need to update the app to the latest version.
Audio Issues: Occasionally, cropping or resizing can cause audio sync problems. Ensure your video crop app properly maintains audio integrity.

Conclusion

Learning how to crop and resize videos on mobile is a valuable skill for anyone who wants to create engaging video content on the go. By understanding aspect ratios, resolutions, and the features of various video crop apps, you can easily transform your raw footage into polished masterpieces. Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or just starting, these tips and techniques will help you create videos that capture attention and leave a lasting impression. So, grab your smartphone, download a video crop app, and start experimenting with the power of mobile video editing today! Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. With a little practice, you’ll be creating stunning videos in no time.

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How to crop and resize videos on mobile