MKV Files Won't Play on Apple Devices
You have an MKV video you want to watch on your iPhone, import into iTunes, or stream to Apple TV. But Apple doesn't support MKV files. iTunes rejects them, and your Apple devices won't recognize them.
M4V is Apple's video format—essentially MP4 with optional DRM support. Converting MKV to M4V makes your videos fully compatible with the entire Apple ecosystem: iTunes, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
How to Convert MKV to M4V
- Upload your MKV file – Drag and drop or click to select your video
- Confirm M4V as output – M4V is pre-selected for Apple compatibility
- Download your video – Ready to import into iTunes or sync to your device
The entire process happens in your browser. No software to download, no account to create, no waiting in conversion queues.
Why Apple Doesn't Support MKV
MKV (Matroska Video) is an open-source container format that can hold virtually any combination of video and audio codecs. This flexibility is its strength—and the reason Apple won't support it natively.
Apple prefers controlled formats where codec compatibility is guaranteed. M4V uses standardized H.264 video with AAC or AC-3 audio, ensuring reliable playback across all Apple devices. In our testing, we've found that M4V files work seamlessly from 2012 devices through the latest releases.
- iTunes – Only accepts MP4, MOV, and M4V video formats
- iPhone/iPad – No native MKV support without third-party apps
- Apple TV – Requires M4V or MP4 for native playback
- QuickTime – Cannot open MKV files at all
MKV vs M4V: Technical Comparison
Both formats are containers that hold video, audio, and subtitle tracks. The key difference is ecosystem compatibility:
| Feature | MKV | M4V |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Matroska (open source) | Apple |
| Video Codecs | Nearly any codec | H.264, HEVC |
| Audio Codecs | Any (Dolby, DTS, FLAC, etc.) | AAC, AC-3, Dolby Digital |
| Subtitle Support | Multiple tracks, all formats | Built-in chapter markers |
| DRM Support | None | FairPlay (optional) |
| iTunes Compatible | No | Yes |
| Apple Device Support | Requires third-party apps | Native playback |
In our testing, MKV files with H.264 video convert to M4V with no quality loss since the video codec remains the same—only the container changes.
Common Use Cases
Building an iTunes Library
You've downloaded movies or ripped DVDs to MKV format. Now you want them organized in iTunes alongside your purchased content. Converting to M4V lets you import, add metadata, and manage everything in one library.
Syncing to iPhone or iPad
MKV files won't sync through iTunes or Finder. Convert to M4V first, then sync your videos to watch offline during flights, commutes, or anywhere without internet.
Apple TV Streaming
Want to watch your MKV collection on the big screen through Apple TV? M4V files stream natively via Home Sharing or AirPlay without needing additional apps.
Professional Video Workflows
If you're delivering content to clients who use Apple devices or Final Cut Pro, M4V ensures compatibility. Many production companies standardize on Apple-friendly formats for client deliverables.
What About Video Quality?
Your video quality depends on the source MKV file and its original encoding. Our converter preserves the maximum quality possible during the container swap.
In our testing with 4K MKV files, the converted M4V output maintained the same resolution, bitrate, and visual fidelity. When the source MKV uses H.264 or HEVC encoding (which most do), the conversion is essentially a repackaging operation—the video data stays identical.
Audio also transfers cleanly. If your MKV has AAC or AC-3 audio tracks, those pass through unchanged. Other audio formats like DTS or FLAC are transcoded to AAC for Apple compatibility.
Handling Subtitles and Multiple Audio Tracks
MKV files often contain multiple audio tracks (different languages) and subtitle tracks. During conversion, the primary audio and subtitle tracks transfer to M4V.
If you need specific tracks preserved, our batch processing lets you convert files individually with your preferred track selections. For complex multi-language files, converting to MKV to MP4 may offer more flexibility with certain players.
When to Choose a Different Format
M4V is ideal for Apple devices, but consider alternatives for other scenarios:
- Universal compatibility – Convert to MP4 instead. MP4 works on Apple devices AND everything else (Windows, Android, smart TVs, game consoles).
- Editing in Premiere Pro – MP4 or MOV offer better compatibility with Adobe software.
- Web embedding – WEBM is better for HTML5 web players, MP4 works universally.
- Keeping all tracks – If preserving every audio and subtitle track is critical, MKV remains the best container.
Convert Multiple Files at Once
Have a library of MKV files to convert? Upload multiple videos and process them all in one batch. This is especially useful when migrating an entire video collection to your iTunes library.
In our testing with batch conversions, processing 10 standard-length videos took about the same proportional time as single-file conversion—no significant overhead per file.
Works on Any Device
Our converter runs entirely in your browser:
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iPhone, iPad, Android tablets
No downloads, no plugins, no Java. Just upload and convert. The irony of converting to an Apple format from any device isn't lost on us—but that's the point. Prepare your M4V files wherever you are.