If a video plays sideways or upside down on your Mac, it’s usually because it was recorded in the wrong orientation, often on a phone or camera. The good news is that macOS includes built-in tools that let you rotate videos quickly without installing third-party software.
Whether you just need a simple 90-degree rotation or want to permanently fix the video’s orientation, macOS makes the process easy.
3 Ways to Rotate a Video on Mac
The fixes below cover the most reliable ways to rotate a video on macOS, starting with the built-in option most users already have. We recommend using the first method unless you need more advanced editing features.
1. Rotate a Video Using QuickTime Player
The fastest and easiest way to rotate a video on a Mac is using QuickTime Player, which comes preinstalled with macOS.
1. Open the video by double-clicking it, or right-click the file and choose Open With > QuickTime Player.
2. Once the video opens, click Edit in the menu bar.
3. Select Rotate Left or Rotate Right to turn the video 90 degrees.
4. Repeat the rotation until the video orientation looks correct.
5. Click File > Save to permanently apply the rotation.
This method is ideal for quick fixes and doesn’t reduce video quality.
2. Rotate a Video Using Photos App
If the video is already in your Photos library, you can rotate it directly from there.
1. Open the Photos app on your Mac.
2. Select the video you want to rotate.
3. Click Edit in the top-right corner and click the Crop tool.
4. Use the Rotate button to adjust the orientation.
5. Click Done to save changes.
This method works well if you manage most of your videos inside Photos.
3. Rotate a Video Using iMovie
If you need more editing flexibility, iMovie gives you precise rotation and export options.
1. Open iMovie on your Mac.
2. Create a new project and import your video.
3. Drag the video to the timeline. Select the clip and click the Crop icon above the preview.
4. Use the Rotate buttons to fix the orientation.
5. Export the video once you’re satisfied.
iMovie is useful if you also plan to trim, crop, or enhance the video.
Wrapping Up
Rotating a video on a Mac is simple thanks to built-in tools like QuickTime Player and Photos. For most users, QuickTime is the fastest solution, no downloads, no quality loss, and no complicated steps.
If you need more editing control, iMovie offers extra flexibility. Either way, macOS gives you everything you need to fix video orientation in just a few clicks, so your videos always play the way they’re supposed to.
