How to Reverse a Video to Create Cool Effects

This browser does not support the HTML5 video element.

This browser does not support the HTML5 video element.

Reversing your videos isn’t just a novelty. When the technique is done right, it can take your edits to a whole new level. The good news is that it is incredibly easy to learn how to reverse a video if you have the right tool.

In this article, we will show you how to reverse a video on any device using PowerDirector, the award-winning video editing software. Whether you need a video reverser for Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android, PowerDirector offers the quickest reverse video tool with the most features. 

Reverse a Video to Create Cool Effects

The reverse video feature is often used alongside slow or fast motion effects. When combined, these effects can really pack a punch and delight your audience. 

The most common use of a video reverser is for instant replays. There are many reasons you may want to reverse part of a video and immediately play it again in slow motion. It could be to highlight the athleticism of an athlete or the difficulty of a stunt. It could be to replay something hilarious. It could be so your viewers can see something they missed when watching at regular speed, like a sleight of hand trick, or someone being sneaky in the background.

You can also apply slow motion to the reversed part of your video. This invites the viewers to pay closer attention to the actions exhibited in the shots, creating better engagement with your video overall. Apply this reverse video + slow motion effect on anything that looks really cool in reverse, like a volcanic eruption, fireworks, snowboarding stunts, or gymnastics. 

Reverse video effects can also be used alongside fast-motion effects to create cool illusions. For instance, if you want a car to look like it is hurtling toward the camera at super speed. There are two ways you can do this. One way is to have the car start at the camera, then drive in reverse. The other is to have the camera start at the car and have the camera back away. Using a video reverser and applying a fast-motion effect will do the trick in both cases.  

Of course, you don’t have to use a video reverser solely with speed effects. Film yourself doing a simple task, like throwing something across the room. When played in reverse, it looks like you are magically summoning the object a la Harry Potter (Accio remote control!). Even videos without any action can be fun in reverse. Film someone talking and then play it backward. While you might not be able to tell it’s in reverse by looking at the video, the audio will be hilarious (and sound oddly like the adults in Charlie Brown). 

We hope we’ve given you some fun ideas and answered why you should try playing video backward. Keep reading to learn how to reverse a video using a variety of methods. 

Reverse a Video for Free With PowerDirector

PowerDirector

Whether you’re a professional, enthusiast, or casual hobbyist, PowerDirector offers high-end performance and video editing precision at an accessible price point. Unlike some of the other tools, PowerDirector gives you complete control and lets you adjust playback speed, audio, and more.

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

TechRadar Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Free
*Premium subscription available for $4.33/month

Key Features: 

1. AI-Powered Tools like Sky Replacement
2. Motion Tracking 
3. Video Stabilizer
4. Color Adjustment

Learn how to reverse a video with this beginner-friendly software. Click the link below to download PowerDirector and start creating cool video effects today.

How to Reverse a Video on PC

If you’ve got a PC and want to learn how to reverse a video with a professional-grade tool that’s fast and easy to use, then PowerDirector is going to be your new best friend.

Download the free editing tool below and follow along.

There are 2 ways to reverse video with PowerDirector. First, we will look at how to reverse a video the quick and easy way, by applying the effect to an entire clip.

1. Left-click on the clip you’d like to reverse in the timeline.
2. Select Tools, then Video in Reverse.

Now we will look at how to reverse a video using PowerDirector’s Action Camera Center. This will allow you to reverse only a part of a video clip. This method also gives you the fun effect of playing the video in its original order and then playing it in reverse immediately after.

1. Left-click on the clip you’d like to reverse in the timeline.
2. Select Tools, then Action Camera Center.



3. Click Create Time Shift.



Check to see that the Yellow Outline is covering the area you’d like to reverse. If it’s not, simply drag the border to the edge of the clip.

4. Select Apply Replay and Reverse.
5. Select Add Reverse Effect.

For more information about how to reverse a video with time shifts, check out How to Use Speed Ramp to Create Slow Motion, Freeze Frame, and Reverse Video Effects. 

How to Reverse a Video Online

For a quick and easy solution, Kapwing’s online video reverser gets the job done in seconds flat. Here’s how to reverse a video using Kapwing:

1. Upload an existing video or paste a URL from an external source like YouTube.
2. Go to the Edit menu on the right and check the box next to Reverse. Use the + and – under Speed to slow down the video, speed it up, or leave the speed as is. You also have the option to mute the sound.



3. Trim the video if you’d only like to reverse a section instead of the entire clip. Otherwise, skip this step.



4. Click the Create button at the bottom left of the screen and wait for your reverse video to be processed.

Please be aware that if you use the free version of Kapwing’s video reverser, all your content is public.

How to Reverse Video on iPhone

If you’re editing video on the go, then being able to access features without being in front of a Mac or PC is useful.

Unfortunately, the iMovie app that’s native to iOS devices doesn’t have a reverse video feature built-in, so you’ll have to download a third-party app.

There are several apps to choose from, but the simplest and most streamlined for mobile devices is the PowerDirector App, which is available for free in the app store.

Unlike other smartphone video editing apps, PowerDirector for iOS doesn’t skimp on features and functionality. Included with the reverse function, video editors also have access to other speed and control features that you’d find in premium software for desktop workstations.

Download the PowerDirector app below and follow along. 

1. Start a New Project.



2. Select a clip from your library that you’d like to edit, then tap the video on the timeline to bring up the editing tools.



3. If you’d like to select only a portion of a clip to reverse, you can shorten the clip by adjusting the White Box around the clip. If you’d like to apply the effect to the whole clip, skip this step.
4. Hit the Pencil icon to the left and scroll through the icons along the bottom. Hit Reverse.



When you are done using the video reverser, you can continue editing or hit the Arrow in the top right to Produce your video.

How to Reverse a Video on Android

To put your videos in reverse on your Android phone, you can grab the PowerDirector App for free from Google Play and follow the same steps as the iOS version listed above.

How to Put Tik Toks in Reverse

You can reverse videos directly in the TikTok app. However, if you want full control of your video’s speed and playback style we do recommend using a separate app like PowerDirector.

How to reverse a video on TikTok:

1. Open the TikTok app on your phone.
2. Tap the + in the bottom middle section of the screen. Press and hold the red Record button or upload a video from your camera roll. Tap the red Checkmark when you’re done.
3. Tap the Effects icon (looks like a clock) at the bottom of your screen.



4. Find and tap Time.
5. Select Reverse. A preview of your new video with reversed audio and video will play.



6. Tap Save in the top right corner.

Download the Best Video Reverser for Free

Reverse video is a hot trend right now. Don’t miss out on a creative way to add some fun and dimension to your videos because you don’t have the right tool. 

PowerDirector is an incredibly easy way to apply the reverse video effect. The software produces high-quality results at no cost. And PowerDirector is so much more than a video reverser. It offers complete control over video speed, audio, and more. With PowerDirector, you get a full video editing suite with easy-to-apply effects, filters, color tools, and a royalty-free stock library of music, sound effects, videos, and photos. Whether you are a professional content creator or making videos for fun, PowerDirector has you covered. 

It doesn’t matter if you edit videos on a desktop or smartphone, PowerDirector puts the complete power of editing in the palm of your hand, regardless of what device you use. Download it today by clicking the link below. 

Reverse Video FAQ

1. How Do I Speed Up or Slow Down a Video?

You may want to apply speed effects to your reverse videos. Here is a step-by-step guide for speeding up or slowing down video using PowerDirector.

Mac and Windows

1. Drag and drop your video onto the Editing Timeline.
2. Click on your clip, then hover over the end to bring up the Dual Arrow icon. 
3. Press and hold the left mouse button and drag the end of the clip in (for fast motion) or out (for slow motion) and release.

For a more detailed look at using PowerDirector to apply speed effects, click here.

iOS and Android

1. Add a clip to the Editing Timeline in the PowerDirector app.
2. Tap the clip to bring up the Edit Menu. 
3. Choose the Speed icon. Use the Vertical Slider to increase or decrease the speed.
4. Hit the Play icon to preview your change.

For a more detailed look at using PowerDirector to apply speed effects on your smartphone, click here.

2. What Features Should I Look for in a Video Reverser?

The top five features you should look for in a video reverser are:

1. Speed Adjustment Tools
2. Video Stabilizer
3. Time Lapse Function 
4. Speed Ramp 
5. Freeze Frame

If you’re looking for a video reverser that checks all these boxes, we recommend PowerDirector.

3. What is the Best Video Reverser Software?

The best software to reverse video on Windows and Mac are:

1. PowerDirector
2. Adobe Premiere Pro 
3. Final Cut Pro 
4. Corel VideoStudio
5. Pinnacle Studio

To find out more about the above software, click here. 

The best apps to reverse video on iPhone and Android are:

1. PowerDirector
2. KineMaster
3. Video Speed

To find out more about the above apps, click here.

4. How Do We Reverse a Video?

You can reverse videos by downloading PowerDirector on your chosen device. Then follow along with the steps listed above for either desktops or smartphones.

5. How Do I Reverse a Video on My Camera Roll?

There is no way to reverse videos directly from your camera roll without a third-party app. We recommend PowerDirector, which allows you to easily import videos from your camera roll and apply the reverse video effect in a few simple steps.

6. Is It Possible to Play Video Reverse?

Yes, after applying the reverse video effect, simply hit the Play button to view your video in reverse.

7. How Can I Reverse a Video for Free?

You can reverse videos for free using PowerDirector Essential, the free version of PowerDirector. PowerDirector Essential has access to all of the advanced features found in PowerDirector for 30 days, then offers a scaled-back version of its tools and effects. It is a great option for beginners who are first learning how to reverse a video.

8. Can You Reverse Videos on YouTube?

YouTube Studio does not have a video reverser. You can reverse videos using PowerDirector, then upload them directly to YouTube from the software.

9. How Do You Reverse Audio and Video?

Using any of the video reversers listed in this article will reverse both video and audio simultaneously.

10. How Do I Mirror a YouTube Video?

You can’t mirror a video in YouTube Studio. However, you can use PowerDirector to mirror a video and upload it directly to YouTube when you are done. Here are the steps for how to mirror a video using PowerDirector:

Mac and Windows

iOS and Android