How to Convert MOV to MP4 (iPhone and Mac Videos)
If you have recorded a video on an iPhone, iPad or Mac, or exported one from Apple software, you probably ended up with a .mov file. MOV is Apple's QuickTime container. It works perfectly on Apple devices, but on other systems you may see a video that will not open, plays without picture, or cannot be uploaded to a website.
Why MOV causes problems
The MOV extension only describes the container. What matters is the codec inside. iPhones can record video using either of two settings, found in Settings, Camera, Formats:
- High Efficiency uses HEVC (also called H.265). Files are smaller, but not every Windows PC, TV, website or older program can play or accept HEVC.
- Most Compatible uses H.264, which is much more widely supported.
So a MOV from an iPhone may contain HEVC even though the file name looks harmless. Converting to MP4 with H.264 and AAC audio is a straightforward way to make the file work in more places.
How to convert
- Copy the MOV file from your phone to your computer (AirDrop, cable, or cloud storage). Doing it on a computer is recommended; phones have less memory for this kind of work.
- Open the converter and add the file.
- Leave "Convert to" on MP4.
- If the original is 4K and you only need to share it, choose 1080p or 720p as the resolution. This shrinks the file and speeds up the conversion. Leave it on "Original" if you want to keep the full size.
- Click Convert, then download the finished file.
What to expect
- Output format: H.264 video and AAC audio in an MP4 file, which most devices and sites accept.
- Time: Converting inside a browser is slower than a native app, and 4K HEVC footage is demanding. Start with a short clip to judge how long your computer needs.
- Quality: The video is re-encoded, so it is not a bit-for-bit copy of the original. For sharing and everyday playback the difference is usually hard to notice, but if you need an exact master copy, keep the original MOV.
- Memory: The whole file is loaded into your browser's memory. A long 4K recording may not fit on a low-memory machine. If conversion fails, try the 1080p option or a smaller file.
- Live Photos, slow-motion and special effects: The converter treats the file as an ordinary video. We have not tested every special Apple recording mode, so check the result before deleting the original.
Do you even need to convert?
Not always. If you only plan to play the video on Apple devices, or you are importing it into software that supports MOV, there is no need. Convert when a website refuses the upload, a TV or Windows player will not open the file, or you want one format that works for everyone you share with. If you would like to know more about the format itself, read MP4 vs MOV vs MKV vs AVI vs WebM.
You can also go the other way: choose MOV in the "Convert to" menu. The result is H.264 video with AAC audio in a QuickTime container.
Ready to try it? Convert your video in the browser, no upload and no sign-up.
Open the converter