How to Recover Deleted or Disappeared iMovie Projects on Mac

Can’t find your old iMovie projects? Accidentally deleted one? Apple could have made it easier to recover iMovie projects, but that doesn’t mean its impossible. Our team has helped many people get their projects back, and we’ll show you exactly how. You’ll find here all the steps you need to recover your iMovie project on your Mac.

First Places to Look for Your iMovie Project

Wondering where to find your iMovie project? The answer: within the iMovie Library. Apple designed the iMovie Library as a central hub where projects, media, and resources get stored. Sometimes, even if a project seems missing, it’s still there, tucked away as an event within the Library’s file structure. Here’s how to access it:

  1. Open Finder from your dock.
  2. In Finder, head to the Movies folder under your Home directory. This is iMovie’s default storage location.This is iMovie’s default storage location
  3. Find the file named iMovie Library.imovielibrary. This file serves as a package containing all your iMovie projects and their related files.
  4. Right-click the iMovie Library file and select Show Package Contents. This opens up the Library’s internal structure, where you can see individual folders for each project and event.Select Show Package Contents
  5. Inside the package, you’ll see folders and files associated with various projects. Browse through these folders—your missing project may be saved as an event, complete with any assets you used. Double-click on any files or folders that seem familiar to open and confirm if they contain your project.

Search for an Alternative iMovie Library Location

If you didn’t find your project in the main iMovie Library location, it might be stored somewhere unexpected. We’ve seen cases where iMovie projects end up in alternative library files, especially after backups, data transfers, or if you’ve used multiple Macs. Your project could still be there, just waiting in a different library. Here’s how to locate every possible iMovie Library on your Mac:

  1. In the Finder search bar, type “.imovielibrary” and set the search scope to This Mac. This search brings up every iMovie Library file across all directories on your Mac.Type “.imovielibrary” and set the search scope to This Mac
  2. The Finder will list each iMovie Library on your Mac. Any of these may hold the missing project.
  3. Then, check each file just like we covered above with Show Package Contents
💡 Tip. If you have multiple iMovie projects stored in different Libraries, we recommend bringing them together into a single Library for easier access and organization. This will keep everything in one place. Here’s how:

  1. Select the project you want to consolidate in iMovie.
  2. In the iMovie menu, choose File and then Consolidate Project Media.
  3. When the window appears, click OK.
  4. If a message says there’s nothing to consolidate it means all media files are already in one location, so you’re all set.

Where Do Deleted iMovie Projects Go?

Where your deleted iMovie project ends up depends on how exactly you deleted it. If you removed it from within the iMovie app, it might still be stored as an event within the iMovie Library. If you deleted it directly from Finder, it could be in the Trash Bin or a backup folder.

We won’t go into detail about the Trash Bin here, but as a quick reminder: if you deleted the project from Finder, it likely moved to the Trash, where files usually stay for 30 days unless manually emptied. Just open the Trash Bin from your dock and look for any files or folders with names related to your iMovie project. If you find the project, right-click and select Put Back to restore it to its original location.

Since we’ve already covered how to check the iMovie Library, let’s move on to the next possible location: the iMovie Backups Folder.

Check the iMovie Backups Folder

A lot of people don’t realize that iMovie automatically saves backup copies of projects while you work. So, if you accidentally deleted a project or lost it after a crash, you might still find a recent backup in the iMovie Backups Folder. Here’s how to check:

  1. In Finder’s menu bar, click Go and select Go to Folder.
  2. Type this path to access the iMovie Backups Folder:
    /Users/yourusername/Library/Containers/com.apple.iMovieApp/Data/Library/Caches/iMovieBackup
    (Replace “yourusername” with your actual Mac username.)
    Type this path to access the iMovie Backups Folder
  3. Browse the folder for files that match your missing project.
✅ Note. The path to the iMovie Backups Folder can vary based on your macOS version. If you don’t find it at the original path, try this alternative:

/Users/yourusername/Library/Containers/iMovie/Data/Library/Caches/iMovieBackups

Don’t Forget to Check Time Machine Backups

If you got nothing from the previous steps, don’t forget to check your Time Machine backups. This option works only if you had Time Machine activated beforehand, so if it wasn’t set up, you can skip this section and go to the next one on data recovery software. But if Time Machine was running, here’s how you can use it to recover your iMovie project:

⚠️ Heads up! Before you start, make a quick backup of your current iMovie Library. Restoring an old version will replace what you have now, which might mean saying goodbye to any projects you added after that backup. So, do yourself a favor—copy your current Library file to another spot on your Mac or an external drive, just in case!
  1. If your Time Machine backups are stored on an external drive, connect it to your Mac.
  2. Open Finder, navigate to your Movies folder, and locate the iMovie Library file.
  3. With the Movies folder open, click on the Time Machine icon in your menu bar and select Browse Time Machine Backups.Use the timeline on the right side to scroll through previous backups
  4. Use the timeline on the right side to scroll through previous backups. Find a version of the iMovie Library from a date when you still had your project.
  5. Select the iMovie Library file and click Restore. This will replace the current Library file with the backed-up version, which should bring back your missing project.

Found Nothing? Recover Deleted iMovie Projects on Mac with Data Recovery Software

If none of the above methods worked, don’t give up just yet! Data recovery software can still help you retrieve deleted iMovie projects. These tools can scan your Mac’s drive for hidden, lost, or deleted files, even if they no longer show up in Finder. This option is a lifesaver if your project was permanently deleted or if Time Machine wasn’t set up.

There are tons of data recovery apps for macOS out there, like Disk Drill for Mac, PhotoRec, UFS Explorer Standard Recovery, and R-Studio for Mac. Our team has tested and reviewed all of these and put together a list of the best data recovery software for Mac. Since Disk Drill scored 5 stars with us for both recovery performance and ease of use, we’ll walk you through the recovery process using it.

✅ Note. Here’s what makes Disk Drill a great recovery option for lost iMovie projects:

  • Can recover all kinds of files, and that includes iMovie projects (.imovieproj), as well as videos, photos, documents, and more.
  • Runs Quick, Deep, and Signature scans in a single go; covers everything from recently deleted files to files on devices with damaged file systems.
  • Works with various drive types (HDDs, SSDs, memory cards).
  • It supports macOS Sequoia and handles different macOS file systems like APFS, HFS+, and FAT32.
  • Interface with clear and straightforward navigation.
  • Lets you preview recoverable files, so you can confirm you’re recovering the right thing.
  • Provides a “Recovery chances” rating for each file.
  • Lets you review found files as the scan continues—no need to wait for the full scan to finish.

Here’s how to recover your iMovie project with Disk Drill:

  1. Go to the official Disk Drill website, download the Mac version, and drag the icon to your Applications folder. If possible, it’s recommended to install it on a drive different from the one where your project was located to avoid overwriting any deleted files.Drag the icon to your Applications folder
  2. Launch Disk Drill from Applications or use Spotlight (press Command (⌘) + Spacebar, type “Disk Drill,” and hit Enter).
  3. Disk Drill may ask for permission to access your storage. Follow the prompts to allow this so Disk Drill can fully scan your drive for lost files.
  4. In Disk Drill’s main window, choose your Mac’s drive from the list of devices to start the recovery process.Select the drive you want to scan
  5. Click Search for Lost Data. Disk Drill will automatically run a Quick Scan (finds recently deleted files), Deep Scan (analyzes deeper file structures to locate harder-to-find data), and Signature Scan (searches for files based on their known file types) in sequence to maximize your chances of finding your deleted iMovie project.Disk Drill scanning the drive
  6. Disk Drill shows a progress percentage, but you don’t have to wait for the entire scan to finish. As it scans, click on Review found items to see files that have already been detected.You can type "imovie" into the search bar to specifically look for iMovie project
  7. You can type imovie or .imovieproj into the search bar to specifically look for iMovie project files.
  8. The Recovery chances column rates each file as High, Average, or Low, so you know which files have the best chance of being fully recovered.
  9. You can either wait for the scan to complete or, if you spot the iMovie project you need, click Recover at the bottom to restore it right away. But, keep in mind that with Disk Drill’s Basic (free) version, you can only scan and preview files. To actually recover them, you’ll need to upgrade to the PRO version.
📌 Note. Disk Drill is a powerful tool and often comes through where others don’t, but a few factors can affect your chances of recovery. Time is key—a recently deleted project has better odds than one lost days or weeks ago. The longer it’s been, the more likely everyday actions like saving files will overwrite the data. The type of drive also matters: HDDs are generally easier for recovery, while SSDs, with their TRIM function, actively clear deleted data, which makes recovery much harder or often impossible. For the best chance, start recovery as soon as you notice your project is missing.

Keep iMovie on Track

iMovie is a popular app for video editing, but it can often get a bit confused. Sometimes, project files are permanently gone, but other times, it’s just a glitch in iMovie itself. In some cases, deleting custom settings can help straighten things out and fix the issue. To do this, hold down the Option and Command keys while you launch iMovie. When the dialog box pops up, select the option to delete preferences. It will give iMovie a little reset—sometimes it’s all that is needed.

Select the option to delete preferences

The internet is packed with discussions and tips for these problems. From our experience, the methods we’ve covered usually do the trick, and we’ve helped plenty of folks recover a ton of iMovie projects on their Macs.

No matter the situation, keep your chin up, stay informed, and be proactive. With a little luck and the right tools, you can keep your video projects rolling!

FAQ

iMovie projects are typically stored in the iMovie Library, which is located in the Movies folder of your Home directory on your Mac. The library file is named iMovie Library.imovielibrary and acts as a package that contains all your projects, media, and assets.
Yes, iMovie automatically saves your progress while you work on your projects. This means that any changes, edits, or additions you make will be saved periodically without the need to manually save every time. However, it’s still a good idea to back up your projects regularly, especially before any major changes.
No, you shouldn’t lose your projects when you update iMovie. Apple designs updates to keep your existing projects safe, so your work should remain intact. However, it’s always smart to back up your iMovie Library before any updates. You can copy the iMovie Library.imovielibrary file to an external drive or use Time Machine.
Jeff Cochin
Jeff Cochin is a distinguished expert in data management, recovery, and warehousing, with over a decade of hands-on experience. His expertise extends to data clouds, failovers, SaaS, and constructing digital marketing strategies for high-growth startups. Notably, he holds comprehensive knowledge of Mac computers, Apple's ecosystem, and iPhone technology, making him a trusted authority in these domains. With nearly five years as a dedicated technical writer, Jeff has become a seasoned researcher and reviewer of new applications and services, particularly those within the Apple and Mac universe. His articles and tutorials, often covering nuances of Mac and iPhone use, have graced the pages of many publications, including Macgasm, OnMac, Applenapps, LAWeekly, and more. They have collectively reached a global audience of millions. Jeff spends a substantial portion of his professional life interfacing with AWS, Docker, Medium.com, freeCodeCamp, and SQL-related technologies, integrating these tools with his profound understanding of Mac systems and software. When he's not immersed in writing, troubleshooting, or scripting for Mac and iPhone environments, or staring at computer screens, Jeff embraces the thrill of outdoor adventures. An enthusiast of biking, kayaking, and hiking, he often seeks new trails to explore alongside his like-minded, outdoors-loving friends.
Scroll to top