Cannot import videos made with iOS 11 (iPhone 7)

[jgbarnette]

Ever since updating my iPhone 7 Plus to iOS 11, I've been unable to import videos taken with that phone into Adobe Premiere Pro 2017.1.2 (Mac). I understand that this has something to do with the new HEVC file format that iOS 11 uses to save videos to the iPhone file system. I'm sure there are a thousand ways to convert these videos, but that takes tons of time that should be used editing videos. Is there some codec that can be installed into Premiere to correct this import problem, or will there be a fix for this in a future Adobe update?

Thank you.

[jordig22828771]

LOOOL , bet I could shoot something better with my iphone 8 plus than mr. conventional.

ANYWAY, for people struggling with the problem, if you choose "High Efficiency" in IOS 11 in your camera setting you will be able to shoot 4K 60FPS or 1080 240FPS, BUT PREMIERE wont recognize the codec when importing. If you switch to "Most Compatible" you will be able to import in PREMIERE but without the improved settings that most people bought the CAMERA for in the first place.

ADOBE doesnt support APPLE'S new conversion formats through video form as of this moment. Youd think the new update would have fixed that but it has not.

Best option I use is a software called WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe for PC. Import your footage and seems to only downgrade the video quality slightly when shooting in 4K 60FPS, but is DEFINITELY SUITABLE. for now.

HOLLA !

[Kevin-Monahan]

JasonB,

The iPhone works great as a 4K camera, but I don't use the native Camera app since it often shoots in variable frame rates, which simply are not yet supported in Premiere Pro. I use the FilmicPro app and it works flawlessly. You might give it a try.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Torshen]

Hi Kevin,

I think what people are really asking here is can you give a rough date when Premiere will support Apple's new formats natively, please?

FilmicPro might be a workaround in some situations but it's not a proper solution to the issue. It wouldn't work for me, certainly. I'm a video professional but I also use Premiere for editing vids at home, movies of my daughter growing up etc etc. Moments that were captured quickly when I just turned my phone on and swiped from the lockscreen to get to the camera as fast as possible to capture something cute she was doing, etc etc. All recorded in the stock Camera app in Apple's format.

But, being a video pro, I still have my settings set high (will be using 4k60 a lot with the new phone, why wouldn't I want to take advantage of that?) so I have no choice but to use the new format.

As with many things in the tech industry, when Apple make it a standard other companies have to play catch-up so I appreciate there might be developers over at Adobe running about trying to work out the roadmap for this (I'd be worried if you DIDN'T to be honest) but if you could give a rough timescale that would help a lot.

Thanks

Jamey

[Torshen]

Also, on the official list of supported file formats it says that both HEVC and Mov containers are supported:

Premiere Pro CC supported file formats

And iOS 11's new format is exactly that - an HEVC (h.265) stream inside a Mov container, so I'm puzzled as to why it wouldn't be compatible?

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi Jameyhoward.com,

Also, on the official list of supported file formats it says that both HEVC and Mov containers are supported:

Premiere Pro CC supported file formats

Right! There's an error there because HEVC inside a .mov codec is not supported currently. I will tell the documentation lead about that.

And iOS 11's new format is exactly that - an HEVC (h.265) stream inside a Mov container, so I'm puzzled as to why it wouldn't be compatible?

The team is aware of this shortcoming. As I just wrote, it's an issue they're working on. From what I understand, Apple doesn't even have this working with FCP X yet.

The other compatiblity issue is variable frame rates are not supported in Premiere Pro. The native Apple Camera app shoots mainly in VFR mode. This is an additional issue that we are working on.

You can file these issues here.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi Jameyhoward.com,

can you give a rough date when Premiere will support Apple's new formats natively, please?

No, sorry, but I am not allowed to answer any "when" questions. Apologies.

FilmicPro might be a workaround in some situations but it's not a proper solution to the issue. It wouldn't work for me, certainly.

Just giving you advice around something that works for me. Sorry it wouldn't work out because of your issues. I just like it a lot for my personal projects.

Moments that were captured quickly when I just turned my phone on and swiped from the lockscreen to get to the camera as fast as possible to capture something cute she was doing, etc etc.

I put apps I want to quick access to in the dock. See if that might work for you as an alternative. There are much better quality and workflow options if you shoot DNG with Lightroom CC (mobile) & FilmicPro to avoid transcoding.

But, being a video pro, I still have my settings set high (will be using 4k60 a lot with the new phone, why wouldn't I want to take advantage of that?) so I have no choice but to use the new format.

OK, but you'll still need to transcode it—not because it's in variable frame rate but because the codec is not supported. Sorry.

As I understand it from engineering, HEVC inside a .mov wrapper is currently not working with Premiere Pro. We do know about that specific issue and are working on a fix for a future version of Premiere Pro. HEVC is supported in other wrappers at this time (like .mp4), just not .mov.

As with many things in the tech industry, when Apple make it a standard other companies have to play catch-up so I appreciate there might be developers over at Adobe running about trying to work out the roadmap for this (I'd be worried if you DIDN'T to be honest) but if you could give a rough timescale that would help a lot.

FWIW, this workflow is not working with Apple applications, like FCP X, at all, either (nor with any other NLE).

but if you could give a rough timescale that would help a lot.

Wish I could! If there are any other questions I can answer for you, let me know.

Regards,
Kevin

[Torshen]

Kevin-Monahan  wrote

FWIW, this workflow is not working with Apple applications, like FCP X, at all, either (nor with any other NLE).

I can't comment on FCP but I believe that the current version of iMovie can import these new-format files fine. I think there is a limitation with being able to export them in 4k60 (you have to drop to 30fps apparently) which hopefully will be addressed by Apple soon.

I guess the question is who's going to fix it first - will Adobe fix their import before Apple fix their export? RACE!!!

[lynnef37101723]

Hi Guys!

I've been all through this entire thread trying to find a solution to convert files already shot and uploaded to Google and didn't find anything that helped. The files played fine on Google Drive, but once downloaded and imported to Premiere they only played around 57 seconds, then the visual skipped back to the beginning of the file while the audio continued. I tried converting the files in Media Encoder but it didn't help.

The only workaround I found was opening the files within Google drive through a third-party online converter (mov to mov - CloudConvert ). These files unfortunatly still do not play in Premiere, but they work fine in iMovie. Ironic really that I pay for the full Adobe Creative Suite, but have to use free software to work with the new apple files...

l.

[nathanB832]

Thanks for the tip on the (mov to mov - CloudConvert)!

I was able to transcode the footage from iPhone XS and use it in Prelude CS6 and Premiere Pro CS6.  Actually really fast and painless!  Thanks again!

[lividrhythm]

When PP didn't let me import iPhone 6 videos because I didn't have the right codec, I simply opened the video with Quicktime, exported at 1080, and that exported video went into Premiere with no problems. Hope that helps!

[alexandresiqueira]

thank you so much for the post! it worked and now i can again use my iphone videos in premiere (windows).

[Andylium]

Hey guys...

So ended up here because I couldn't import the .MOV file with this HEVC encoding and I received the very same "missing codec" thing.

I couldn't go forward.

And then... I just changed the extension from .MOV to .mp4 and actually changed the extension.

Then I tried to import it.

The video appeared upside down.

I put the effect of flip and IT WORKED!

Just that.

Please tell me if it works for you. I can't believe it's SO SIMPLE. No encoding no nothing. Just changed the extension.

Cheers.

[jakeprice]

It's ridiculous that Premiere doesn't have the most up to date codecs (Just installed Premiere 2018).

Anyway here's the workaround: rename your iPhone MOV files to mp4 and they work.

[Torshen]

So I just tried renaming my native iPhone X videos to .mp4 ...It will allow them to import into the software without any error message and the audio stream plays ok but the video stream is just a green screen, no actual images. So not really a solution for me.

[jeffa35980745]

If you're working with a Mac, use the Photos app to select your videos from your iCloud library. Choose the Export option from the File menu (not the Export Unmodified) and click through the dialogs. The newly exported video files will be M4V format and can be then imported into Premiere.

[pausch2]

for .mov files already shot in 4K 30fps, just change the file extension to .mp4 and they import fine into Premiere Pro

PS

[jkahlmann]

As others have stated, simply changing the extension to .mp4 allows your HEVC video files to import into PP. I noticed some clips were flipped (maybe an accelerometer issue, but easily rotated 180°) but everything is usable and works just fine.

And to the guy who said use "a proper camera," please be aware that this is a forum for learning and helping each other in an uplifting way. Also, cell phones have come a very long way and whether you like it or not, the saying is still true: adapt or die (e.g. get left behind).

[ebM7886]

I am able to import some iphone 10 footage and it comes in as mp4, however, it comes in as video only, no audio. Any ideas?

[kulpreet singh]

Hi yigals73099470,

I am sorry that you are facing this annoying issue.

• What is the exact version of Premiere Pro (check from the help menu) & which OS are you on?
• Are you importing your media from the Media Browser?
• Clean the Media Cache and try re-importing your media.

Let us know if that helps.

Thanks,

Kulpreet Singh

[ebM7886]

Thanks for your reply -

CC 12.0.1 (build 69)

Windows 10 Home

Yes - tried importing from Media Browser

Yes - tried cleaning media cache and re-imported media.

Unfortunately, mp4 files still come in with no audio track.

Any help greatly appreciated!!

[kevinw21541587]

Yes! Changing format to "Most Compatible" works for now. Thank you!!!! BTW I meet camera snobs all the time, they don't have much to say when they see the videos I make with my iPhone 8.

[SeifertC]

+1 to all of this. Please get native support in there asap!

Thanks to those who posted helpful answers. Saved my bacon!

[kulpreet singh]

Hi,

With the latest January 2018 update (12.0.1), you will get the native support for HEVC (also known as H.265) codec footage in a QuickTime (.MOV) container, such as produced by an iPhone or iPad with iOS 11 or a DJI Phantom 4 drone.

More information here.

Thanks,

Kulpreet Singh

[gman2014]

I have 12.0.1 and still have this issue of not being able to import iphone x 4k footage into premiere pro

[kulpreet singh]

Hi gman2014,

I have 12.0.1 and still have this issue of not being able to import iphone x 4k footage into premiere pro

I am sorry about that. Let us know more about this and we will try to troubleshoot:

• Do you see any error while importing those clips?
• Have you tried importing your clips from the Media Browser and from a different location?

Thanks,

Kulpreet Singh