cannot save Final Cut mov files to Iphone photo app. including H264, HVEC.

cannot save Final Cut mov files to Iphone photo app. including H264, HVEC.


the save button from the icloud file page appears and does nothing.


cant send video via imessage either.


been doing this stuff for decades, new ios is trash and impractical for simple tasks.

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Dec 30, 2025 1:25 AM

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10 replies

Dec 30, 2025 11:37 AM in response to Ankhba

It seems that the files are in a format that is not supported by these social media apps.

You need to check which formats are required, and if necessary, export from Final Cut Pro accordingly.

You don't want to upload a 5K video to most social platforms. They usually favour vertical or square video (alas!), and the resolution is way too high.


You can either reexport with different settings, or perhaps make appropriate versions in the required format.

A vertical video requires different titling, etc, than a horizontal one. Final Cut Pro includes tools to help when converting - look up "smart conform", which adjusts the size and positioning of titles when converting a project.

Dec 30, 2025 9:46 AM in response to Ankhba

I send videos (HVEC and H264) daily and it works fine in iOS 26 for me,

No clue what you mean by iCloud page. What page specifically, what are you doing there?

Yeas ago I would throw the video into iTunes and specify it in the macOS Finder, what specific videos to sync with my phone.

These days I put them on my Google drive or unlisted on YT and just use the link, save drive space on my iPhone.

But using Messages, I do that almost daily and it works fine. I'm running the latest versions of everything.

AND I never use the Apple Devices present, I hate it, the regular H.264 works fine for pretty much everything these days.

Dec 30, 2025 10:59 AM in response to BenB

The FCP X videos that are in my icloud files folder will not save to my photos on the phone. The option to “save video” shown in the image does nothing.


I dont use Photos App on my computer to save space on my computer drive, I use icloud for video files and transfer them to my phone.


I have been saving video files in H264 format from Final Cut, so the files are compatible with apple devices.


The issue is the video files specifically from my icloud will not save to my photos, so I can upload them to social media apps.


I sent the file in an imessage and the person was able to download it to their phone and send it back, and that has been the only way I have been able to get the files to my photos.


The “save video” option is available but does nothing.


Dec 30, 2025 11:01 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

its straight forward:

The FCP X videos that are in my icloud files folder will not save to my photos on the phone. The option to “save video” shown in the image does nothing.


I dont use Photos App on my computer to save space on my computer drive, I use icloud for video files and transfer them to my phone.


I have been saving video files in H264 format from Final Cut, so the files are compatible with apple devices.


The issue is the video files specifically from my icloud will not save to my photos, so I can upload them to social media apps.


I sent the file in an imessage and the person was able to download it to their phone and send it back, and that has been the only way I have been able to get the files to my photos.


The “save video” option is available but does nothing.


Dec 30, 2025 11:27 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I mentioned Final Cut to prevent folks from trying to use file format as the reason.


the files do not upload to the apps properly, as it is a 5k file and the orientation is either portrait or it cuts off portions of the screen.


All of these basic solutions have failed.

Based on the fact I have explained that there is a problem saving the video, when the option is visible, I am looking for a solution to address that problem.


If no-one knows how to solve the issue, thats fine too; but, these novice level solutions have not worked.


I have been using the hardware and software since 2007, its not a new concept for me.

Jan 1, 2026 6:21 PM in response to Ankhba

When you select the "Add to Photos" option, that simply adds it to the Photos app on your Mac, simple.

Your error message, being a cropped out partial screen, means we have no clue what you're doing on your iPhone to get this message.

Log into iCloud.com, download the videos you want to add to your Photos app on your Mac, then add them to Photos.

cannot save Final Cut mov files to Iphone photo app. including H264, HVEC.

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