Final Cut Pro is finally available for the iPad. After years of waiting, the Cupertino firm has brought one of its most important Pro apps to multi-touch displays. Here’s everything you need to know about Final Cut Pro for iPad tablets.
Features
Final Cut Pro for iPad introduces an all-new touch interface and intuitive tools — unlocking new workflows for video creators. Users can interact with content in completely new ways by navigating with the Magnetic Timeline, moving clips, and making fast frame-accurate edits with just the tap of a finger. Here are the top features of this Pro app for Apple tablets.
Live Drawing: Users can draw and write directly on top of video content using Apple Pencil. On iPad Pro with M2, Apple Pencil hover unlocks the ability for users to quickly skim and preview footage without ever touching the screen. They can also speed up their workflows by adding a Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard Folio to utilize key commands
Pro Camera Mode: Video creators can shoot high-quality video in portrait or landscape orientation, monitor audio and available recording time, and manually control settings like focus, exposure, and white balance. Creators can capture, edit, and publish from a single device while in the field, and on iPad Pro with M2, users can even record in ProRes.
Scene Removal Mask: Creators can quickly remove or replace the background behind a subject in a clip without using a green screen.
Auto Crop adjusts: Auto Crop adjusts footage for vertical, square, and other aspect ratios.
Voice Isolation: Background noise can easily be removed from audio captured in the field.
Multicam Video Editing: With Multicam video editing, clips can automatically be synchronized and edited together. Users can even switch angles in a multicam clip with just the touch of a finger.
Pro Graphics, Effects, and Audio: Video creators can choose from a vast library of professional graphics, effects, and audio to enhance their storytelling. These include HDR backgrounds, customizable animated patterns, and professional soundtracks that automatically adjust to the length of a video.
Import and Export: Editors can import supported media from Files or Photos and save it directly inside a Final Cut Pro project. Final Cut Pro for iPad also supports importing projects created in iMovie for iOS, and iPad users can export their Final Cut Pro projects to Mac.
Major updates
These are Final Cut Pro’s major updates:
Version 1.1
On July 2023, Final Cut Pro for iPad had its first major update with version 1.1:
- Turn snapping on or off using the keyboard shortcut N;
- Move the playhead backward or forward 10 frames using the keyboard shortcuts Shif-Left Arrow and Shift-Right Arrow;
- Show info for browser clips using the keyboard shortcut Control-I;
- Turn skimming on or off using the keyboard shortcut S;
- Turn audio skimming on or off using the keyboard shortcut Shif-S;
- Split and switch multicam clip angles using the keyboard shortcuts 1, 2, 3, and 4;
- Show or hide the jog wheel using the keyboard shortcut Control-Shift-W; expand or collapse it using Control-W;
- Switch the jog wheel between playhead mode and nudge mode using the keyboard shortcut Shift-W.
Version 1.2
On September 2023, a few days before the iPhone 15 Pro release, the app received its second major update with version 1.2:
- Take advantage of the flexibility and dynamic range of log-encoded video shot on iPhone 15 Pro.
- Enhance the look of footage shot on popular Fujifilm, DJI, and ARRI cameras using new log profiles.
- Choose from 25 new soundtracks that dynamically adjust to fit the length of your project.
- Enable and disable clips to quickly compare your edit with and without them.
- Easily select and reposition keyframes using touch or Apple Pencil.
- Pinch to quickly resize clips in the browser.
- Enable and disable clips using the keyboard shortcut V.
- Import media from Photos using the keyboard shortcut Command-I; import media from Files using the keyboard shortcut Shift-Command-I.
- Export your project using the keyboard shortcut Command-E.
- Unrate browser clips using the keyboard shortcut U.
Version 1.3
In October 2023, Apple announced new features coming with version 1.3. They became available as of November 30. Here they are:
- New Voiceover capabilities: Creators can easily record narration and live audio directly in the timeline using the built-in microphones or external microphones on their iPads. Users can tap record as they play their timeline or find the exact point where they want to start a voiceover and use a countdown to start.
- Workflow benefits: Users can now turn stabilization on in the pro camera mode to improve shaky footage for smoother videos or turn it off to emphasize action and movement. Footage can be ingested directly into a project.
- New keyboard shortcuts: New keyboard shortcuts for voiceover and grouping clips help further increase editing speed.
- New presets: Users can now finish their videos with a number of new color-grading presets and a selection of new titles and generators to dial in the perfect look.
Final Cut for iPad 2
During Apple’s Let Loose event, Apple announced a version 2 of Final Cut Pro coming later this spring. These are the main features coming to iPad users:
Live Multicam: Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 delivers Live Multicam, a new solution for users to capture up to four different angles of a single scene, whether working with their own devices or collaborating with others.
Final Cut Camera: To support Live Multicam in Final Cut Pro for iPad 2, Final Cut Camera is now available on iPhone and iPad. It enables live monitoring and individual control of each video feed. Users can now also adjust ISO and shutter speed and enable focus peaking, bringing even more power to the camera system on iPad Air and iPad Pro.
External Project Support: The app now supports external projects, letting users easily create or open projects on an external storage device and import media without taking up space on their iPad.
Version 2.1
In November 2024, Apple released version 2.1 of Final Cut Pro for iPad. This software update unlocks several new features, including support for the new iPad mini with A17 Pro chip:
- Live Drawing: With new watercolor, crayon, fountain pen, and monoline inks, editors can add personalized live drawing animations to their videos.
- Enhance Light and Color: This feature automatically improves the color, color balance, contrast, and brightness of video or still images.
- Codec optimization: This update is optimized for SDR, HDR, RAW, and Log-encoded media.
- Accessories: With haptic feedback for Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, users will feel a light pulse as they trim clips, move media, navigate the timeline, and resize viewer clips to snapping points.
- Final Cut Camera improvements: The update offers users the ability to capture Log-encoded HEVC video in standalone or Live Multicam sessions, so users can take advantage of the amazing dynamic range of Log while benefitting from reduced file sizes and even more recording time
iPad compatibility
Final Cut Pro for iPad is compatible with the following devices running iPadOS 16.4 or later:
- M4 iPad Pro
- M2 iPad Pro
- M1 iPad Pro
- M2 iPad Air
- M1 iPad Air
- iPad mini (A17 Pro chip)
New devices could be compatible as the company announces them in the future.
Final Cut Pro release date and price
Final Cut Pro for iPad launched on May 23. It requires a subscription, which costs $4.99/month or $49/year. Apple also offers a one-month free trial of Final Cut Pro for iPad. You can find it on the App Store here.
