How to Make a Highlight Video on iPhone (Free and AI Options)

How do you make a highlight video on iPhone?

You film the game, pick the best moments, trim each clip, put them in order and export. On an iPhone you can do all of it with free tools: the Photos app for single clips, iMovie to join several clips, or an AI app to find the moments for you. The steps below take about 30 minutes by hand, and much less with AI.

Step 1: Film the game well

Open Settings, then Camera, then Record Video, and choose 1080p HD at 30 fps. Turn the phone sideways, keep it steady, and film from a high spot that shows the whole playing area. Our guide on how to film a youth sports game covers positions for each sport.

Step 2: Find the moments

Scrub through the video and note the times of the best plays. Many families write down the minute during the game. For ideas on which moments to pick, read what to put in a highlight reel by sport.

Step 3: Trim clips in the Photos app

Open the video, tap Edit, drag the yellow handles to keep only the play, and tap Done. Save each moment as a new clip with the Save Video as New Clip option. This is fine for a few clips.

Step 4: Join clips in iMovie

Open iMovie, tap Create Project, then Movie, and select your clips. Drag them into the order you want, split or trim on the timeline, and add a title card with the player’s name, number and position. Tap Done, then Share to export.

Step 5: Or use an AI app to find the moments

AI apps follow one player and clip the moments for you, so you skip steps 2 to 4. ON10 is built for this: you tap yourself once in the video and the AI follows you and clips your best moments. It runs on your phone, works in team sports, and launches on iPhone first. Join the waitlist. To learn how it works, read What Is AI Player Tracking?

Step 6: Check and share

Keep the highlight to one to three minutes with your best clip first. Share it as an unlisted link rather than posting publicly if the player is a minor: see our privacy checklist. If it is for college coaches, read Recruiting Highlight Video.

FAQ

What is the best free app to make a highlight video on iPhone?

iMovie is free and works well for joining and trimming clips. The Photos app is enough for single clips.

How long does it take to make a highlight video on iPhone?

By hand, often one to a few hours per game, because finding the moments is slow. With an AI app that follows one player, it can take minutes.

Can I make a highlight video of just one player on iPhone?

Yes. You can cut clips of that player by hand, or use an AI app that follows the player you choose.