Move Cinematic mode clips to your Mac before importing them into Motion

To use Cinematic mode video in Motion, you must transfer the clips from iPhone to Mac using any of the following methods, which preserve depth and focus metadata.

Use AirDrop to transfer Cinematic mode video clips from iPhone to Mac

In the Photos app on your iPhone, open the Cinematic mode video, then tap the Share button.
Tap Options at the top of the screen, turn on All Photos Data, the tap Done.
Tap AirDrop, then tap the Mac you want to share with (make sure the Mac you’re sharing with has AirDrop turned on).
Each Cinematic clip is transferred to the Mac as four separate files, for example:
- IMG_0001.AAE
- IMG_O0001.AAE
- IMG_0001.MOV
- IMG_E0001.mov
The MOV file without the E in its name contains depth and focus metadata. The MOV file with the E in its name indicates that the cinematic effects are baked into the clip and cannot be edited in Motion. The AAE files are not used by Motion and can be ignored.

Use Image Capture to transfer Cinematic mode video clips from iPhone to Mac

Use the macOS Image Capture app to transfer Cinematic clips from your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable.

Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB or USB-C cable.
Open the Image Capture app on your Mac, select your iPhone in the sidebar, then unlock your iPhone.
Note: The Image Capture app is installed with macOS and is located in your Applications folder.
Each Cinematic clip may appear as two files, for example:
- IMG_0001.mov
- IMG_E0001.mov
The MOV file without the E in its name contains depth and focus metadata. The MOV file with the E in its name indicates that the cinematic effects are baked into the clip and cannot be edited in Motion.
Select the clips you want, click Import To to choose a save location, then click Download.

Use the macOS Photos app to export Cinematic mode video clips to your Mac

You can export Cinematic clips from the Photos app to a save location on your Mac.

If you use iCloud Photos on your Mac, your Cinematic clips appear automatically in the macOS Photos app. If you don’t use iCloud Photos, you can manually sync an iPhone to your Mac to transfer videos to the Photos app. See Sync photos between your Mac and iPhone or iPad in the Photos User Guide.

Open the Photos app on your Mac, open Media Types in the sidebar, then select Cinematic.
Select one or more Cinematic clips, then choose File > Export > Export Unmodified Original For [numeral] Videos.
If you’re importing Cinematic clips transferred to your Mac using AirDrop or the Image Capture app, select the MOV file without the E in its name.
In the dialog, click the File Name pop-up menu to choose a file name, then click Export.
In the dialog, navigate to the location where you want to save the files, then click Export Originals.
Note: Alternatively, you can Option-drag a Cinematic clip from the Photos app to a location on your Mac.

Once the Cinematic clips are saved to your Mac, you can import them into your Motion project.

Download this guide: PDF

Helpful?

Motion User Guide

Move Cinematic mode clips to your Mac before importing them into Motion

Use AirDrop to transfer Cinematic mode video clips from iPhone to Mac

Use Image Capture to transfer Cinematic mode video clips from iPhone to Mac

Use the macOS Photos app to export Cinematic mode video clips to your Mac