Import from Files App, External Drives and Cloud Storage

Bitcut can import videos from anywhere the iOS Files app can access — iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, USB drives, and SSD drives connected via USB-C or Lightning. Unlike many video editors, Bitcut does not copy files to its own storage. Instead, it references the original file directly — no duplication.

How to Import from Files

1

Tap + and switch to Files

In the media picker, switch to the Files tab (top of the picker). This opens the standard iOS Files browser.

2

Navigate to your video

Browse to the video file. You can access iCloud Drive, On My iPhone, connected external drives, and any third-party storage providers you've added to Files.

3

Select and confirm

Tap the video file. Bitcut creates a bookmark to the file — no copying. The video plays directly from its original location, saving significant storage space.

Working with External Drives

When you import from a USB drive or SSD:

  • The video plays directly from the drive while it's connected
  • Thumbnails are cached locally, so your project list looks normal even when the drive is disconnected
  • If you open the editor while the drive is disconnected, the preview won't play — reconnect the drive and it works instantly
  • Export works only while the drive is connected (Bitcut needs to read the source video)
Don't move or rename the file after importing. Bitcut's bookmark points to the specific file at its original location. If you move or rename it, the bookmark breaks and you'll need to re-import.

Why No-Copy Import Matters

A single 4K video can be 5-10 GB. Traditional editors copy imported files into their app container, quickly filling your iPhone's storage. Bitcut's bookmark-based approach means a 200 GB external SSD with dozens of videos works without using any iPhone storage beyond a few KB of metadata per clip.