How to Rotate a Video on Mac

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.

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 (Built-In)

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.
4. Click the Crop tool.
5. Use the Rotate button to adjust the orientation.
6. Click Done to save changes.

This method works well if you manage most of your videos inside Photos.

3. Rotate a Video Using iMovie (More Control)

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.
4. Select the clip and click the Crop icon above the preview.
5. Use the Rotate buttons to fix the orientation.
6. Export the video once you’re satisfied.

iMovie is useful if you also plan to trim, crop, or enhance the video.

4. Save a New Copy Instead of Overwriting (Optional)

If you want to keep the original file unchanged, saving a copy is a safer option.

1. After rotating the video in QuickTime Player, click File > Export As.
2. Choose the desired resolution.
3. Save the file with a new name.

This ensures you always have the original version as a backup.

5. Check Video Orientation Before Sharing

Before uploading or sharing the video, it’s a good idea to verify the orientation.

1. Play the video in QuickTime or another media player.
2. Make sure it displays correctly in full screen.
3. Confirm the orientation stays correct after transferring the file.

This avoids issues when uploading to social media or sending the video to others.

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.