Accidentally recorded a video and need to reverse it for a project. What’s the easiest way to play a video backwards on my iPhone? Any apps or tools you recommend? Thanks!
There’s honestly no easy way to reverse a video on an iPhone natively. Apple doesn’t provide a built-in reversing feature in iOS, so you are pretty much out of luck if you want a seamless experience. You’ll have to resort to third-party apps, which, let’s be real, can be hit or miss and often loaded with ads or in-app purchases.
One common recommendation is to use ‘iMovie.’ Sure, it’s free and you might already have it, but guess what? iMovie doesn’t let you reverse videos. The workaround? Upload it to a desktop, reverse it in a more capable software, and then re-upload it to your phone. Sounds efficient, right?
Some say ‘Reverse Vid’ is an app to try, but it’s littered with ads and crashes more often than it works. You’ll probably end up more frustrated than when you started. Another alternative is ‘InShot,’ which is a decent video editor but locks basic features behind paywalls. Of course, you could try something like ‘VideoShop,’ but again, be prepared for a lot of in-app purchases and a not-so-user-friendly interface.
In summary, if you don’t mind jumping through hoops and wasting a chunk of time, there are options. But it’s a hassle for something that should be simple. Do your due diligence before committing to any app, or just prepare for a tedious process.
Techchizkid makes some solid points about the limitations baked into iPhones when it comes to reversing videos. Apple really dropped the ball on this one by not providing such a simple feature natively. Messing around with third-party apps can be hit or miss, and I agree, a lot of them are loaded with ads, in-app purchases, and all sorts of frustrations.
But let me throw another perspective into the ring: rather than focusing on individual apps, let’s talk about workflow efficiency. Yes, some apps like ‘InShot’ or ‘VideoShop’ have their drawbacks, but if you’re really looking for a smoother process, consider using these in combination with other tools.
For instance, you can use a cloud-based tool like ‘Kapwing’—all you need is Safari or Chrome on your iPhone. Upload your video to Kapwing, use the reverse video feature, and you’ll get the job done without even having to download a new app. It’s a web app, so it works across devices, and you can avoid the trial-and-error madness with sketchy app store finds. Granted, there might be some limitations if you need longer videos, but it’s definitely worth a shot for simpler projects.
Also, there’s ‘Adobe Premiere Rush.’ Unlike its big brother on desktop, Rush has a fairly straightforward interface that even beginners can pick up quickly. It’s a bit more reliable if you already have access to the Creative Cloud suite. Yes, there’s a subscription fee, but if you’re doing video projects regularly, it might be a lifesaver in more than one way.
And let’s be real—if you hate ads and crashes as much as I do, paying a few bucks could save you multiple headaches.
Another way to keep things simple is to move off your iPhone temporarily. Quick transfer your video to a desktop or laptop where you have more robust software options, reverse it, and transfer back. Even basic video editors on Windows and Mac like Windows Movie Maker or QuickTime Player (with an add-on) can frequently handle this task more efficiently than trying to navigate clunky mobile interfaces.
So while it’s definitely frustrating that Apple doesn’t make this straightforward, a combination of a good web tool like Kapwing and robust desktop software can actually streamline the whole process without much trial and error. If you find yourself doing this often, investing in more reliable software might save you tons of time down the road.
Just to throw another option into the mix, you might wanna consider "Clideo” for reversing videos. It’s another web-based solution and works similarly to Kapwing. You won’t find it in the App Store, but you can use it directly from Safari or Chrome on your iPhone. Go to clideo.com, upload your video, reverse it, and then download it back to your device. Sure, you’ve got file size limitations like many free web tools, but it handles straightforward tasks without too much hassle.
And yeah, I get it—the frustration is real with Apple’s lack of built-in reversing features. But sometimes, the simplicity of using a browser-based tool can outweigh the complexities and frustrations of dealing with unreliable apps cluttered with ads.
I know you’re looking for something you can do directly on your iPhone, but as others have mentioned, moving your workflow to a desktop can be a real lifesaver, especially for larger projects. More specifically, let’s talk about using VLC Media Player. It’s an open-source media player available for both Mac and Windows, and it has a robust set of features.
To reverse a video in VLC:
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Transfer Video to Desktop: Make sure your video is moved from your iPhone to your computer.
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Open VLC Media Player: Launch the app and open your video file.
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Playback Settings: Go to ‘Tools’ in the top menu, then ‘Preferences’. Click on ‘All’ in the ‘Show settings’ section at the bottom left.
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Video Filters: Navigate to ‘Video’ > ‘Filters’ and then select ‘Reverse video’.
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Save and Play: Save your preferences and play the video; it should now be in reverse. After verifying, you can export/save the reversed video for your project and send it back to your iPhone.
If all else fails and you’re tech-savvy, you could dive into FFMPEG. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of video editing/processing but operates through the command line. However, it does require some technical knowledge.
With FFMPEG, you can use a simple command:
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf reverse -af areverse output.mp4
The above command reverses both the video and audio tracks. Sure, it’s terminal-based and might seem daunting, but it gives you a lot of control without the bloat of third-party apps.
For a more polished, seamless experience, Adobe Premiere Rush is indeed a viable option, as @techchizkid mentioned. The subscription cost can be justified if you frequently edit videos. The plus side is you can also use Adobe’s suite of tools for other creative projects, adding more value to your subscription. You may start with a free trial to see if it fits your workflow before committing.
Another potentially less-explored avenue is LumaFusion. It’s probably one of the most comprehensive video editing apps available on iOS. It has an intuitive interface, and aside from reversing video, it lets you do much more with your footage. However, it’s a premium app, and you might have to shell out around $30. The investment might sound steep, but it could be worth it for its versatility and reliability if you’re into video editing.
So to wrap it up, while I agree with the points @codecrafter and @techchizkid raised, mixing and matching methods might be key. Try browser-based solutions like Clideo or Kapwing for quick fixes on your iPhone. For more control and reliability, switch to desktop solutions like VLC Media Player or even FFMPEG if you’re comfortable with command lines. And hey, if this becomes a regular task, investing in apps like Adobe Premiere Rush or LumaFusion could drastically simplify your workflow.
Remember, no one-size-fits-all solution here; experimenting with these tools might help you find what works best for your specific needs.