Collect before you transfer
A movie export is not an editable handoff. A .meridian file alone does not contain all original movies. Use the project collection workflow so editing data and required media travel together.
Mac: save, then choose File → Project Media → Collect Media into a Project Folder… (⌥⌘K). Choose a destination with enough space. iPhone/iPad: open Project Options → Share Portable Project, tap Collect Project and Media, then Share Portable Project after collection completes.
The portable path gathers resources for current and inactive sequences, retained Undo/Redo history, and saved versions. If missing or unsafe media prevents collection, resolve it before retrying. The mobile sharing form leaves the open working project in its existing location.
Send the whole package
Transfer the complete collected folder or the archive produced by mobile sharing through Files, AirDrop, or another storage route you use. Expand the archive at the destination before opening it. Keep relative filenames and folder structure intact.
Allow time for cloud storage to finish downloading the media, not just the project file. Preserve the source working project until the receiving copy has passed your checks. Collection makes a handoff inspectable; it is not a replacement for a separate backup.
Open on the receiving device
Mac: use File → Open Project… and select the collected .meridian project in its intact folder. iPhone/iPad: choose Projects → Open from Files and select the enclosing project folder when relative media is present.
iOS creates an app-owned working copy of an external project. Editing that copy does not automatically sync changes back to the picked folder or another device. To return the revised project, collect and transfer a new package deliberately.
Verify what matters
- Check Project Status on Mac or Project Health on iOS for missing media and save issues.
- Play the beginning, a middle cut, and the ending, including an audio-heavy interval.
- Check other sequences and any version you expect to restore.
- Review captions, title fonts, layer framing, and sound routing.
- Export a short representative interval using settings supported on that device.
- Open the completed file and compare it with the intended edit.
The shared project structure has been tested with a Mac demo and targeted portability checks. That establishes a useful supported path, not universal proof for every source, specialist effect, font, codec, or physical-device combination. A file that opens still needs this viewing and delivery check.
Keep rights and dependencies with the handoff
Include source credits and license information the recipient needs. Permission to use a stock file in a finished movie may not permit sharing its original file. Use owned or redistributable source assets for public downloadable projects. Keep required fonts or other dependencies available through their proper licensing and installation route.