Guide

How to make a before and after video on iPhone

Fitness transformations, room makeovers, haircuts, art progress, cleaning — before-and-after is one of the most satisfying formats on social media, and the side-by-side version outperforms the simple cut because viewers can compare both states in real time.

You'll need: an iPhone (iOS 18+) · the free Video Grid Collage app · ~5 minutes

Step by step

01

Film both stages with the same framing

Shoot the "before" and "after" from the same angle, distance and (ideally) lighting. Matching shots make the change read instantly.

02

Import both clips into a collage app

Open Video Grid Collage (free) and add the two videos.

03

Put them side by side

Choose a two-frame layout: left/right for vertical clips, top/bottom for horizontal ones.

04

Align the action on the timeline

Trim both clips so movements mirror each other — same walk-in, same turn, same pose. Synchronized action is what makes the comparison satisfying.

05

Label the halves

Add "Before" and "After" text layers over the frames. An animated text entrance draws the eye without extra editing work.

06

Pick the ratio and export

9:16 for Reels, TikTok and Shorts; 1:1 for feed. Render in high quality and post.

Before & after ideas that perform

Try it yourself — free

Video Grid Collage · 4.8 on the App Store · combine up to 9 videos in one frame

Download on the App Store

Frequently asked questions

What's the best layout for a before and after video?
Side by side (left/right) if your clips are vertical, stacked (top/bottom) if they're horizontal. Both keep the comparison on screen the whole time.
Can I label the before and after sides?
Yes — add text layers anywhere on the video, style them and animate them.
What aspect ratio should I export?
9:16 for TikTok, Reels and Shorts; 1:1 if it's going in a feed. Both are one tap in the app.

Related guides