How to Brighten a Video on iPhone: Comprehensive Guide

Struggling with dark or dull videos on your iPhone? Or recorded a video on your iPhone only to find it too dark to enjoy?

There are plenty of times when you might wonder how to brighten a video on an iPhone. Maybe you filmed at night, indoors with poor lighting, or outdoors on a cloudy day. Even great videos can sometimes turn out darker than expected, but luckily, you have many options to fix them.

Here, we'll walk you through three simple methods for how to make an iPhone video brighter: using Wondershare Filmora video editor, Photos App, and iMovie. You'll find the perfect solution to brighten up your videos and make them stand out.

Part 1. How to Brighten a Video on iPhone Using the Best Video Editor

If you're looking for a quick and effective way how to brighten up a video on your iPhone, Filmora Mobile is the perfect tool. As one of the best video editors for iPhone, it combines simplicity with powerful editing features, making it easy to enhance your videos and bring out the details—even in dark footage.

Key Features of Filmora Mobile

• Brightness and Contrast Adjustment: Easily adjust the brightness, contrast, and exposure to fix dark videos.
• Filters and Effects: Add pre-set filters to enhance video tones and lighting quickly.
• Intuitive Interface: Simple controls for beginners while offering advanced tools for professionals.
• Social Media Ready: Supports various formats and aspect ratios for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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How to Brighten a Video on iPhone Using Filmora

Step1Import Your Video

Open the Filmora app after installing, tap "New Project", and select the video you want to brighten from your camera roll.

Step2Access the Brightness Adjustment Tool

Tap the "Filter" option from the bottom bar. Then, select "Adjust" tools from the menu.

Step3Adjust the Brightness

Drag the brightness slider to increase or decrease the brightness. For best results, fine-tune other settings like contrast and saturation to balance the video's overall look.

Step4Apply Filters (Optional)

Explore Filmora's pre-set filters to instantly enhance lighting and mood.

Step5Preview and Save

Play the video to see the changes by tapping the compare icon.

Once you're satisfied, tap "Export" to save the brightened video to your iPhone.

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Pros and Cons of Using Filmora

Part 2. How to Brighten a Video Using the iPhone Photos App

If you're looking for a quick and simple way how to brighten up a dark video on your iPhone without downloading any extra apps, the built-in Photos app on your iPhone is the perfect solution. While it lacks advanced editing tools, its simplicity and accessibility make it perfect for basic adjustments when you're in a hurry.

Key Features of the Photos App

• Built-In and Free: Comes pre-installed on all iPhones, so no downloads are needed.
• Basic Video Editing Tools: Adjust brightness, exposure, contrast, and other video settings.
• User-Friendly Interface: Simple controls for quick and easy edits.
• Non-Destructive Editing: You can always revert the video to its original version if needed.

How to Brighten a Video on iPhone Using the Photos App

Step 1. Open the Photos App

Unlock your iPhone and open the Photos app. Browse your albums and tap on the video you want to brighten.

Step 2. Enter Edit Mode

Tap the Edit button in the top-right corner of the screen. In the bottom menu bar, tap the Brightness icon (it looks like a sun). Use the slider at the bottom to increase brightness by dragging it to the right.

Note: You can also tweak settings like Exposure and Contrast for a balanced look.

Step 3. Save Your Changes

Once you're happy with the results, tap Done in the bottom-right corner. Your video will be saved with the new brightness settings.

Pros and Cons of Using the Photos App

Part 3. How to Brighten a Video Using iMovie

iMovie, Apple's powerful yet free video editing app, is another great option for how to brighten a video on an iPhone after recording. Its intuitive interface and color enhancement features allow you to tweak lighting and apply filters for a polished look.

Key Features of iMovie

• Automatic and Manual Color Adjustments: Enhance lighting, skin tones, and overall video color.
• Built-In Filters: Apply pre-set filters to quickly brighten and improve video visuals.
• Seamless Integration with iOS: Works smoothly with your iPhone's video library and iCloud.

How to Brighten a Video on iPhone Using iMovie

Step 1. Open iMovie and Create a Project

Launch the iMovie app on your iPhone. Then, tap the "+" icon to start a new project and select "Movie" from the options.

Step 2. Import Your Video

Browse your media and select the video you want to brighten. After that, tap "Create Movie" to add it to the timeline.

Step 3. Access the Filters Tool

Tap the video clip in the timeline to highlight it. At the bottom of the screen, tap the "Filters" button (it looks like three overlapping circles).

Scroll through the available filters and select one that brightens your video. A live preview will show the changes, so you can choose the filter that looks best. To remove filters, tap "None."

Step 5. Preview and Save Your Video

Once you're satisfied with the brightness, tap "Done" in the top-left corner. Export and save the brightened video to your iPhone.

Pros and Cons of Using iMovie

Part 4. Comparison of Methods

With three excellent ways to brighten a video on your iPhone—Filmora Mobile, the Photos app, and iMovie—you might wonder which method is best for you. Let's compare their key features based on usability, functionality, and accessibility to help you decide.

Key Features Comparison

Usability

• Filmora: Balances ease of use and advanced features, making it ideal for both beginners and professionals.
• Photos App: Easiest for beginners, thanks to its intuitive interface and limited options, making quick edits straightforward.
• iMovie: Slightly more complex but still user-friendly, with added features for those wanting to explore video editing.

Functionality

• Filmora: Offers the most advanced tools, including AI-powered enhancements, filters, and professional editing options.
• Photos App: Limited to basic brightness and exposure adjustments without additional creative tools.
• iMovie: Provides intermediate functionality with basic filters and color adjustment tools.

Accessibility

• Filmora: Free to use with optional premium features for those who want more control.
• Photos App: Most convenient and cost-effective as it comes pre-installed and is entirely free.
• iMovie: Free to download but requires a learning curve for advanced edits.

If you need a quick and simple solution, the Photos app is perfect for basic brightness adjustments. For more creative control with added filters, iMovie is an excellent free option. However, if you're after professional-quality results, Filmora offers the best mix of advanced features and ease of use.

Conclusion

Knowing how to brighten a video on an iPhone is simple with the right tools. If you need quick adjustments, the Photos app is perfect for basic fixes. For more creative edits, iMovie offers filters and color controls.

But if you want the most advanced features, Filmora is the best video editor for professional-quality results. Whether you're looking to brighten a dark video on your iPhone or make your content stand out, these methods will help you achieve stunning results.

Now you can easily make an iPhone video brighter and share videos that shine!

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