Essentially, all of your iMovie project files are stored in the “iMovie Library” folder. You can access them via “Finder” > “Movies” > “iMovie Library”, right click and select “Show Package Content”, and you’ll see all your projects.
Hi, I’m Nancy, and I have several years of experience creating projects on iMovie. You might not be aware, but whenever you import media files into iMovie, they’re also saved within the project files on your computer.
If you’re struggling to locate your iMovie files on your Mac, I’m here to help you. In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps to locate your iMovie files on your Mac computer and provide some useful tips to help you manage and safeguard your files.
So let’s dive right in.
Contents
How to Find My iMovie Files on Mac
Follow these simple steps to locate your iMovie files on your Mac:
Step 1: Search “Finder” in the Spotlight Search bar on your computer and press enter.
Step 2: Look on the Finder sidebar and click on “Movies”. Then you will see the “iMovie Library” file.
Tip: Avoid double-clicking on the file as it will launch iMovie and take you directly to the “Projects” library.
Step 3: Right click on “iMovie Library” to see the drop down menu and then select “Show Package Contents”.
Step 4: Here you will see all of your iMovie project files and inside of them will contain the content files such as the original media and render files.
Will My Files Disappear If I Update iMovie?
No, your files will not disappear if you update to the latest version of iMovie for macOS.
However, you must update your existing iMovie projects and events in order for them to work. Once you update the projects and events, they will be duplicated into a new library called “Updated Events”.
How to Manage My Storage Space for My iMovie Files
Here are three easy actionable tips to manage your storage space effectively with iMovie:
- Delete old projects, library events, and render files to make room for new iMovie projects.
- Transfer iMovie project files to an external hard drive to free up space on your computer.
- Remove any unwanted applications, documents, and media files to reduce storage usage.
How to Safely Backup My iMovie Files
To prevent data loss in the event of any computer mishaps, it’s important to back up your files. Below, I will outline how to create backups on both iCloud Drive and an external storage device.
Save Files to iCloud Drive
Step 1: Make sure you are logged in to your Apple ID from your Mac and have the “iCloud Drive” button turned on.
Step 2: Export your iMovie video into a file and save it into the “iCloud Drive” folder on your computer.
Step 3: Once it’s uploaded, your video file should sync to your iCloud account via the web. You now have a copy of your video to download and save onto another device.
Save Files to an External Storage Device
To transfer your iMovie files to an external storage device like a USB drive, simply select the “iMovie Library” file or individual project folders and drag and drop them onto the device.
FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions about iMovie file location on Mac.
Can I Change the iMovie Library Location on My Mac?
Yes, you can move the iMovie Library from its original location in the “Movies” folder to another location of your choice. Simply drag it onto your Desktop or transfer it to an external hard drive.
What Happens to My Files on My Mac If I Delete iMovie?
If you delete iMovie from your Mac, it will not delete your iMovie Library or the media files stored within it. Make sure that all of your iMovie files are properly backed up and stored in a safe location before deleting iMovie.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, your files are stored in the iMovie Library file that’s located in the “Movies” folder. Knowing the location of these files can be very helpful, especially when you want to free up space on your Mac.
Remember to create duplicate files and move them to different locations to avoid losing any information. When iMovie updates, you may also need to update your projects and events so they are compatible with the newest version.
I hope the tips I shared have been helpful and easy for you to follow. Please let me know in the comments below if you have any further questions about managing your iMovie files.
