How do I sync iMovie projects with iCloud?

Question

How do I sync iMovie projects with iCloud?

I edit in iMovie on both my iMac and MacBook Air, both on current op systems and Apple Chips. Also on my recent model iPad. If I start an iMovie Project on iPad, I can move it (share it) and all of the footage etc to the MacBook Air to continue working. But if I start an iMovie Project on the iMac, I cannot share it and its footage to the MacBook Air. That is what I am seeking to do. There are Community posts discussing this but none since 2019. Any help? thx

iMac 24″, macOS 14.4

Posted on Apr 26, 2024 1:44 PM

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Answer 1

Rich839

Level 8

47,742 points

Apr 28, 2024 9:05 PM in response to petercommunities

As you have found, you can share iPad iMovie projects to Mac iMovie, but not Mac iMovie to iPad iMovie. Thats the way the software is designed.

You can export a movie from a Mac iMovie, and then import the movie into an iPad iMovie, where it can be edited like any other clip.

— Rich

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Answer 2

Apr 30, 2024 12:18 PM in response to Rich839

I get that, thx. My question is different. I want to share an iMovie project on my iMac with all its footage, with my MacBook Air. On the iMac in iMovie, under "Share Project" it does not offer "Export Project" which is what Apple defines as how to Share it to the MacBook Air. (Under "Share Project" the iMac only offers "Email/Social Platforms/File." And "File" will only export it as an mp.4, not as an iMovie Project). All help appreciated. Thx.

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Answer 3

Rich839

Level 8

47,742 points

Apr 30, 2024 3:15 PM in response to petercommunities

To transfer the library from one Mac to another, Edit/Copy the library and then Edit/Paste it to an external drive that is formatted either Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS. Then physically plug in the external drive to your destination computer. You can then Edit/Copy, Edit/Paste, the library from the external drive to your destination computer. After confirming that the transferred library is working, you can delete the copy from the external transfer drive if you wish. The destination Mac must be running the same version of iMovie that was used to create the movie.

— Rich

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Answer 4

Rich839

Level 8

47,742 points

Apr 30, 2024 5:10 PM in response to Rich839

To clarify, a Mac iMovie project cannot exist outside of an iMovie library. So, to share the project from one Mac to another, one must transfer the iMovie library that contains the project, as described in my previous post.

-- Rich.

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