Quick Tutorials

Hidden Features of QuickTime Player You Probably Didn’t Know About

QuickTime Player is one of those apps that sits quietly on your Mac, ready to play videos when needed. But did you know that QuickTime is way more than just a simple media player? It comes packed with powerful features that can save you time and make common video tasks easier—without needing expensive software.

In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into some of QuickTime’s best-hidden features, from simple video edits to screen recordings and beyond.

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1. Rotating and Flipping Videos

Ever recorded a video that ended up sideways? QuickTime makes it easy to fix that.

• Rotate videos: Go to Edit > Rotate Left/Right or use the keyboard shortcut.

• Flip videos: If your webcam records mirrored videos, you can fix them with Edit > Flip Horizontal/Vertical.

While not a full-fledged video editor, QuickTime can handle these quick fixes effortlessly.

2. Merging Multiple Videos Together

If you need to combine several clips into one file, QuickTime has you covered.

• Open your first video in QuickTime.
• Drag and drop other video files directly onto the QuickTime player.
• Click the red X button, and QuickTime will prompt you to save a new file with all clips merged together.

No complicated video editing software is required—just drag, drop, and save.

3. Trimming Videos in Seconds

Want to cut out unnecessary parts of a video? Use QuickTime’s built-in trimming tool:

• Go to Edit > Trim and adjust the sliders to select the part of the video you want to keep.
• Click Trim, and when you close the file, QuickTime will ask if you want to save it as a new copy.

This is perfect for quick edits without messing with complicated editing software.

4. Converting Videos to Different Formats

QuickTime can also convert videos, though the format options are limited.

• Go to File > Export As and choose a resolution (4K, 1080p, 720p, 480p).
• You can also convert between H.264 and HEVC (H.265) for better compatibility or smaller file sizes.

For more advanced conversion options, check out Apple Compressor or the free tool HandBrake.

5. Capturing High-Quality Screenshots from Videos

If you need a perfect screenshot from a video, QuickTime has a better way than standard screen capture:

• Pause the video at the desired frame.
• Go to Edit > Copy.
• Open Preview, go to File > New from Clipboard, and save your high-resolution screenshot.

Unlike traditional screenshots, this method ensures you get an exact, pixel-perfect capture of your video frame.

6. Playing Multiple Videos in Sync

Need to compare two videos side by side? QuickTime lets you play multiple videos at the same time:

• Open two or more videos.
• Press Command + Return, and all videos will play simultaneously.
• Want them to loop? Go to View > Loop (you’ll need to do this separately for each video).

This is a handy trick for video editors or anyone reviewing different versions of a clip.

7. Picture-in-Picture Mode

Want to watch a video while working on something else? QuickTime has a Picture-in-Picture mode:

• Click the small Picture-in-Picture button on the playback controls.
• The video will shrink into a floating window that stays on top of other apps.

This is great for multitasking, especially on smaller screens.

8. Adjusting Playback Speed

If you need to speed up or slow down a video:

• Go to View > Playback Speed and choose your preferred speed.

Slowing down a video can look choppy if the frame rate is low, but it’s still useful when analyzing footage.

9. Checking Video File Information

Want to see detailed info about a video file? Press Command + I to bring up essential metadata like:

• Resolution
• Frame rate
• Codec
• Bitrate

It doesn’t show all metadata, but it gives you the most important details at a glance.

10. Recording Audio, Video, and Your Screen

QuickTime isn’t just for playback—it can also record:

• Audio recording: Use QuickTime to record high-quality voice notes or podcasts.
• Screen recording: Capture your Mac’s screen for tutorials or presentations.
• Movie recording: Record using a connected webcam, DSLR, or even an Apple TV screen.

To start recording, go to File > New Screen/Audio/Movie Recording.

11. Extracting Audio from a Video

Need to save just the audio from a video?

• Open a video in QuickTime.
• Go to File > Export As > Audio Only.

This is useful if you want to extract a podcast, interview, or soundtrack from a video file.

12. Quick Sharing Options

QuickTime has built-in sharing options that let you send videos via:

• AirDrop
• Email
• Messages

Personally, I prefer dragging and dropping files into messages, but for those who like shortcuts, QuickTime has them.

13. Splitting and Rearranging Clips

If you need to cut out a section from the middle of a video or rearrange clips:

• Go to Edit > Split Clip at any point in the video.
• Rearrange clips by dragging them around.
• Delete unwanted sections, then save the new version as a separate file.

This is a more advanced alternative to simple trimming.

14. Subtitles: The Weak Spot

QuickTime technically supports subtitles, but in my experience, it’s a hassle. The format support is picky, and getting subtitles to display properly can be frustrating.

For a better experience, use VLC Media Player instead—it loads subtitles automatically if the file is in the same folder as the video.

Final Thoughts: QuickTime Deserves More Appreciation

QuickTime Player is often overlooked, but it’s packed with powerful features that make everyday video tasks easier. From quick edits to screen recording and file conversions, it’s a must-have tool for any Mac user.

So next time you open QuickTime, take a moment to appreciate everything it can do—it’s way more than just a video player!

Did you learn something new? Let me know in the comments, and if you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it!