I accidentally recorded a video backward and now I want to reverse it to play correctly. I’m not sure what tools or apps to use on my iPhone for this. Can someone guide me on how to do it step by step? Looking for an easy option, preferably free if possible.
Oh man, reversing a video on iPhone? It’s not as straightforward as Apple makes everything else seem. You’d think there’d be a magic “reverse” button in iMovie or Photos, but nope, you gotta bring in the reinforcements. Here’s what you can do:
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Download a third-party app. Some popular ones are Reverse Movie FX, InShot, or KineMaster. They’re all pretty user-friendly, and most of them have free versions that will slap their logo on the video. So if you’re big on aesthetics, be ready to pay up or live with their branding.
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If you’re thinking, ‘Ugh, I’m not downloading extra stuff,’ well, iMovie doesn’t natively reverse videos, so… good luck doing it directly on the iPhone without another app.
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Assuming you’re okay with an app—open said app, import your backward video, look for the reverse feature (it’s usually super obvious), and done! Check that the reversed playback looks right before saving.
And honestly, if you accidentally recorded something backward… I’m curious how that even happened. Was this a Matrix situation? Did your phone glitch into some reverse timeline? Anyway, apps save the day. 
Uh, so like, first off, how does one “accidentally” record a video backward? Did your phone decide it was time to go all Christopher Nolan on you and make Tenet 2? Anyway, I digress. Let’s talk solutions since @cacadordeestrelas already covered a bunch of apps.
Here’s something slightly different: if downloading apps feels like too much work or leaves you mildly annoyed at random watermarks, you could try exporting the video to a desktop or laptop with more robust software options. For example, if you have access to a Mac, you can use something like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro (if you’re already fancy like that). They are all extra, sure, but very reliable. Edit on your desktop, then airdrop it back to your phone—done.
Now, if none of that works and you’re dead set on doing EVERYTHING on your iPhone, there’s also Clips by Apple. It doesn’t reverse videos, BUT you could potentially try combining snapshots of it played backward (it’s a lot of re-editing though, tbh), so not the most practical.
In short—yeah, apps are easier, but if you were wondering about avoiding them completely, it’s possible to a point. Time-consuming as heck, though. Pick your struggle, I guess? You’re either stuck dealing with ads, watermarks, or losing an hour of your life to overcomplicating something that should be simple.
Alright, I’m calling it: reversing videos on an iPhone is way too over-engineered for what should be a simple feature. Like, c’mon Apple, throw us a bone here. Anyway, since you seem determined to fix this on your own, let me hit you with another angle besides just downloading third-party apps like @vrijheidsvogel and @cacadordeestrelas mentioned. (Though, real talk: Reverse Movie FX is pretty slick if we’re leaning toward apps.)
Alternative Quick Fix: Shortcut Automations
If you’re not into downloading apps with watermarks or paying premium fees, you might want to try creating an iPhone Shortcut. Yeah, those automations are incredibly underused for this kind of stuff! While Apple doesn’t have a reverse tool baked into the default video editor, Shortcuts can pull off some unexpected wizardry.
Here’s how to go about it:
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Install an Existing Shortcut – Some geeky genius has already likely made a reverse video tool for Shortcuts. You can find pre-made ones by Googling 'Reverse Video Shortcut for iPhone” or checking out communities like ShortcutsGallery. Always make sure it’s from a trusted source, though!
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Load Your Video – Once downloaded, open the Shortcut and allow it to access your Photos library. Import the “backward” video you’ve got stored.
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Wait… and Done! – Shortcuts aren’t lightning-fast, so it might take a minute to process depending on your video length. Save the reversed video to your Camera Roll afterward. No watermarks, no ads—zip. Just be prepared for a minor learning curve with setting up Shortcuts if you haven’t dabbled with them before.
Pros & Cons of Using iPhone Shortcuts
Pros:
- Completely free—no hidden fees, watermark removal fees, or subscription plans.
- Uses your phone’s native capabilities; no need to download external apps like InShot or KineMaster.
- Keeps processing offline, so no privacy concerns about uploading your video to random servers.
Cons:
- Set-up can be daunting for first-timers, and not everyone is comfortable using third-party Shortcut resources.
- Complex videos (e.g., heavily layered edits) might still not come out perfectly reversed—it depends on the Shortcut script.
Desktop Workflow (If You’ve Got a Computer Lying Around)
Now, apps and Shortcuts aside, here’s where I mildly disagree with @vrijheidsvogel about exporting your video to a computer. Instead of ultra-heavy options like Final Cut Pro, try using a free desktop video tool, like VLC Media Player (yes, the little traffic cone icon program). It has a reverse feature buried in its settings. You can tweak the playback frame by frame, save it in reverse, then Airdrop the fixed video back to your iPhone. Super efficient, no extra costs, and VLC is more familiar to average users compared to Adobe.
TL;DR:
- Shortcuts are lowkey underrated if you want a free, watermark-free solution on iPhone.
- Apps like Reverse Movie FX work great for quick fixes and more features, but you’ll deal with branding unless you pay.
- Desktops with tools like VLC provide stunning (and free) control if you’re flexible on using a different device briefly.
And hey, maybe one day Apple will have an anti-Tenet button in iMovie for those rogue ‘accidental backward recordings.’ But until then—happy editing!