Final Cut Pro 12.4 — macOS

If you’ve used iMovie, you already know Apple’s approach to video editing — clean, responsive, and built around a magnetic timeline. Final Cut Pro takes that same logic and layers in pro-grade tools without the clutter. Here’s a short workflow to get you started, step by step.

Drag mixed clips into a new library

1. Import media into a library. Create a new library, then drag in a mix of clips — ProRes, H.264, even HEVC. The app automatically organizes them in the event browser. You can add custom keywords to clip ranges and build smart collections later.
2. Build a basic timeline. Select a few clips and hit the E key to append them to the primary storyline. Then use the blade tool (B) to trim, and the position tool (P) to slide clips around. The magnetic timeline keeps everything connected — no unintended gaps.
3. Try Match Color. Select a clip, open the color inspector, and click the eyedropper next to Match Color. Pick a reference frame from another clip. Final Cut adjusts the color temperature and exposure to bring them in line. It works across different cameras and lighting conditions.
4. Add captions with Generate Captions. Click the captions button in the toolbar, choose a language, and let the app create subtitles. You can edit the text inline and adjust the appearance — font, size, background — right in the viewer.
5. Export a quick share. Go to File > Share > Master File. Choose H.264 for broad compatibility or ProRes if you’re keeping it in the edit. That’s your first project done.

These five steps cover the core loop — import, cut, color, caption, export. Once you’re comfortable, you can explore multicam editing up to 64 angles, auto mask for selective corrections, or object tracking for titles that follow a face. Final Cut Pro is a deep tool, but the learning curve is short if you start here.

Final Cut Pro works on Intel Macs from 2015 onward

People often ask whether Final Cut Pro works on Intel Macs. The answer is yes, with one condition: your Mac needs a Metal-capable graphics card. That covers most Macs from 2015 onward. Some features, like Auto Mask and Object Tracker, require Apple Silicon — so if you're on an Intel machine, those tools won't appear. Everything else runs fine.

Another frequent question is about storage. The app itself takes about 5.8 GB, but video projects eat space fast. Proxy media helps: Final Cut can create lower-resolution copies of your footage for editing, then switch back to originals for export. That keeps the timeline responsive without demanding full-bandwidth storage for every clip.

Some people wonder if they need an internet connection. For basic editing, no. But features like Generate Captions and Match Color send data through Apple's servers, so those require a live connection. The rest of the app works offline.

How Final Cut Pro compares with similar apps

Final Cut Pro vs. DaVinci Resolve. DaVinci Resolve is free for the core edit and color tools, and its color grading is deeper than anything in Final Cut. But its timeline feels different — more traditional, less magnetic. Final Cut's timeline snaps clips together by connection, not track position, which makes rearranging faster once you're used to it. Resolve also demands more from your GPU during playback, especially with Fusion effects. For straightforward editing with occasional color work, Final Cut is simpler to learn.

Final Cut Pro vs. Adobe Premiere Pro. Premiere Pro uses a track-based timeline that's standard across Windows and Mac. It has deeper third-party integration and more plugins. If you work alone or in a small team and don't need cross-platform collaboration, Final Cut is the more practical choice.

Final Cut Pro vs. iMovie. iMovie is free and good for simple cuts, titles, and sharing. But it lacks multicam, object tracking, color matching, caption generation, and any serious audio role management. Final Cut is the natural upgrade — same design language, same keyboard shortcuts for basic operations, but with pro features you grow into.

Edit Detection splits imported video at scene changes

• Edit Detection — When you import a rendered video (like a screen recording or a downloaded clip), Edit Detection can split it at scene changes automatically. This saves time if you're pulling footage from multiple sources.
• Smart Conform — If you need a square or vertical version of a horizontal project, Smart Conform analyzes the action and reframes it automatically. It's not perfect for every shot, but it handles talking heads well.
• Audio roles — You can assign roles like Dialogue, Music, or Effects to clips. Then solo or mute entire roles across the timeline without adjusting individual tracks. It's useful for cleaning up interviews quickly.
• Object Tracker — Attach a title or effect to a face or object, and the tracker follows it through the clip. No keyframing by hand. It works best on clear, well-lit subjects.
• XML import and export — If you need to send a project to a colorist or sound mixer who uses DaVinci Resolve or Logic Pro, Final Cut can export an XML file. The other app opens it with your edits, transitions, and clip positions intact.

Learn the magnetic timeline with a one‑minute project

Start with a small project — under ten clips, maybe a minute long. That way you learn the magnetic timeline without fighting complex edits. Use the blade tool (B) to cut, and the selection tool (A) to move. If a clip snaps somewhere you don't expect, look for the connection line: it's attached to something above or below on the timeline.

Create a library just for testing. Libraries hold all your media, events, and projects. Keep your test library separate from real work until you're comfortable with keywords and smart collections. Keyword ranges let you mark parts of a clip — not the whole thing — so you can find specific moments later.

Enable proxy media in the View menu if playback stutters. Final Cut creates smaller files for editing and switches to full resolution when you export. This is standard practice for 4K work even on fast Macs.

Use audio roles from the start. Assign roles as you import clips, not after editing. It makes mixing and exporting much cleaner. You can also export stems — separate audio files for each role — directly from the share menu.

If you're working with captions, generate them early. Final Cut's Generate Captions creates subtitles in the timeline that you can edit word by word. Adjust the appearance once, and it applies to all captions. This saves rework if you change the style later.

Finally, check the View menu for custom layouts. You can save a workspace with the inspector open, timeline at the bottom, and viewer centered. It's a small thing, but it keeps your screen consistent from one session to the next.

• Generate Captions — adds subtitles with customizable appearance.
• Auto Mask — isolates recognized objects for color correction or effects.
• Match Color — matches color across different cameras and lighting.
• Edit Detection — splits rendered video into separate clips automatically.

• macOS 15.6 or later
• 8 GB RAM
• 5.8 GB disk space
• Metal-capable graphics card (Intel Macs)
• Some features require an Apple Silicon Mac
• Some features require an internet connection