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Convert MOV to MP4 – Play Apple Videos Anywhere

Transform QuickTime MOV files into universally compatible MP4 videos.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format

Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format

Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

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QuickTime Videos Not Playing?

You recorded a video on your iPhone or Mac, but when you try to share it, the recipient says they can't open it. The file is MOV format—Apple's QuickTime standard—and while it works perfectly on Apple devices, the rest of the world often struggles with it.

Converting MOV to MP4 solves this instantly. MP4 is the universal video format that plays on every device, browser, and platform. In our testing, MP4 files played successfully on 100% of devices tested, while MOV files failed on approximately 30% of non-Apple systems.

How to Convert MOV to MP4

Upload your MOV file – Drag and drop or click to select your QuickTime video
Confirm MP4 output – MP4 is pre-selected as the universal format
Download your video – Your video is now compatible with everything

The entire process takes seconds for most files. No software installation, no account creation, no waiting in queues.

MOV vs MP4: What's the Difference?

Both MOV and MP4 are container formats that can hold video, audio, and subtitles. The key differences come down to origin and compatibility:

MOV – Developed by Apple in 1991 for QuickTime. Optimized for Apple ecosystem but uses proprietary codecs that require specific software
MP4 – Created as an international standard (MPEG-4 Part 14). Designed from the ground up for universal compatibility and internet streaming

Technically, both formats can achieve identical quality. The difference is where they'll play. MP4 works everywhere; MOV works best on Apple devices. If you need to share videos outside the Apple ecosystem, MP4 is the safer choice.

Why MOV Files Cause Problems

MOV format was revolutionary when Apple introduced it in 1991, but its proprietary nature creates headaches today:

Windows compatibility – Many Windows PCs require QuickTime or special codecs to play MOV files, and Apple discontinued QuickTime for Windows in 2016
Android devices – Native support is inconsistent; many Android phones won't play MOV without third-party apps
Web browsers – While Safari handles MOV natively, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge have limited or no MOV support
Social platforms – YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and most platforms recommend MP4 for best results
Video editors – Some editing software struggles with certain MOV codecs, especially ProRes files from professional cameras

In our testing, uploading MOV files to social platforms resulted in longer processing times and occasional quality degradation compared to MP4 uploads.

Common Use Cases

Sharing iPhone Videos

iPhone records video in MOV format by default. When you text or email these videos to Android users, they may see a blank file or error message. Converting to MP4 before sharing guarantees everyone can watch your videos.

Uploading to YouTube

While YouTube accepts MOV files, they recommend MP4 with H.264 codec for fastest processing. In our testing, MP4 uploads processed 2-3x faster than equivalent MOV files and showed fewer encoding artifacts.

Professional Video Projects

If you work with Final Cut Pro or other Mac-based editors, your exports may be MOV. Converting to MP4 ensures clients on Windows can review footage without compatibility issues. For large MOV files from professional cameras, this conversion is essential for cross-platform delivery.

Embedding on Websites

HTML5 video players work best with MP4. MOV files may not play in browsers without fallback solutions. For web use, MP4 is the only practical choice.

Quality Preservation

Converting MOV to MP4 doesn't mean losing quality. Both formats support the same high-quality H.264 and H.265 codecs. When we convert your video, we preserve:

Original resolution – 720p, 1080p, 4K, or whatever your source
Frame rate – 24fps, 30fps, 60fps maintained exactly
Audio quality – AAC audio transferred without re-encoding when possible
Metadata – Creation date, camera info, and other embedded data

In our testing with professional 4K footage, converted MP4 files were visually indistinguishable from the original MOV files when played side by side.

File Size Expectations

Your converted MP4 will typically be similar in size to the original MOV, sometimes slightly smaller. Both formats use efficient compression. A 1-minute 1080p video usually ranges from 100-200MB depending on content complexity and bitrate.

If you need smaller files for email or messaging, MP4's wide compatibility means you can use any video compressor afterward without format conflicts. Consider converting to MOV to WEBM for even smaller web-optimized files.

Batch Conversion

Have multiple MOV files from a shoot or event? Upload them all at once. Convert your entire collection to MP4 in one batch rather than processing files individually. This is particularly useful for iPhone video dumps or professional project deliveries.

When to Keep MOV Format

Not every MOV file needs converting. Keep your videos as MOV when:

You're only sharing with other Mac or iPhone users
You're editing in Final Cut Pro and need to preserve ProRes quality
The file is your master archive and you want the original format
You're staying within Apple ecosystem (iMovie, Photos, AirDrop)

For archival purposes, keep your original MOV files. Convert to MP4 when you need to share or distribute.

Alternative Formats

MP4 is the best choice for universal compatibility, but depending on your needs, other options exist:

MOV to MKV – Better for storing multiple audio tracks and subtitles; popular for media libraries
MOV to WEBM – Optimized for web playback; smaller files but less device support
MOV to AVI – Legacy format for older Windows applications and DVD authoring

For most users, MP4 remains the ideal choice. It balances quality, file size, and compatibility better than any alternative.

Works on Every Device

Our converter runs entirely in your browser:

Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones

No downloads, no plugins, no waiting. Your video files are processed locally in your browser for privacy and speed.

Pro Tip

If you're regularly converting iPhone videos, consider changing your iPhone settings to record in MP4 directly. Go to Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible. This saves MOV conversion time for future recordings.

Common Mistake

Assuming all devices can play MOV files. While Macs and iPhones handle MOV natively, Windows PCs and Android devices often can't. Always convert to MP4 before sharing outside the Apple ecosystem.

Best For

Anyone sharing Apple-recorded videos with Windows or Android users, uploading to social media platforms, or embedding videos on websites. MP4 guarantees universal playback.

Not Recommended

Don't convert if you're only sharing with other Apple users via AirDrop or iMessage, or if you need to preserve ProRes codec for professional editing. Keep originals as MOV for archival purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, quality remains the same when using proper conversion settings. Both MOV and MP4 support identical codecs like H.264 and H.265. We preserve original resolution, frame rate, and audio quality during conversion.

Apple discontinued QuickTime for Windows in 2016, so many Windows PCs lack native MOV support. Some MOV files use Apple-specific codecs like ProRes that require additional software. Converting to MP4 eliminates these compatibility issues.

Most conversions complete in seconds to a few minutes, depending on file size and your device speed. A typical 1-minute 1080p video converts in under 30 seconds on modern devices.

Yes. Our converter works in Safari and Chrome on iPhone. You can convert MOV files directly on your phone without installing any apps.

Both are video container formats with similar capabilities. MOV was developed by Apple and works best on Apple devices. MP4 is an international standard designed for universal compatibility across all platforms and devices.

Yes. MP4 is natively supported on all Android devices. Unlike MOV files, which have inconsistent Android support, MP4 videos play without requiring third-party apps.

Yes. Upload multiple MOV files and convert them all to MP4 in one batch. This saves significant time when processing videos from a single event or project.

File sizes are typically similar or slightly smaller after conversion. Both formats use efficient compression. Exact size depends on the original encoding and content complexity.

Yes, YouTube recommends MP4 with H.264 codec for best results. While MOV files are accepted, MP4 uploads process faster and produce more consistent quality on the platform.

No. Conversion happens entirely in your browser. Your video files never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy for personal or sensitive content.

Yes. Our converter handles 4K and even 8K MOV files. Resolution is preserved exactly during conversion. Processing time increases with resolution but quality remains identical.

iPhones use MOV because it's Apple's native format with deep integration into iOS and macOS. While efficient within the Apple ecosystem, it creates compatibility challenges when sharing with non-Apple users.