Summary
MOV is the default format used by Apple devices. However, the compatibility depends on the codecs inside the file and the media player you're using. This post explains what MOV file is and how its track-based structure works. You'll also learn how to open MOV files on any device and how to convert MOV to MP4 when necessary.
What is a MOV file? MOV, also referred to as the QuickTime file format, is a multimedia container format. It is created by Apple for QuickTime to manage multiple media tracks in a single file. MOV container can hold video and audio encoded with any number of different codecs. This includes H.264, HEVC/H.265, Apple ProRes, AAC, or MP3.
MOV and MP4 are both container formats and have similar structural features. Apple's QuickTime format was the basis for the ISO Base Media File Format. MP4 is the most common format for streaming and sharing video, and the MOV file is a high quality format used for professional editing on Apple devices.
You can read more about formats here in the MOV vs M4V vs MP4 comparison guide.
Apple devices, such as Macs, iPhones, and iPads, have strong native support for the MOV file format. You can use Mac's QuickTime Player or the Photos app on iPhone/iPad to play MOVs.
On Mac: Double-click the MOV in the Finder to automatically open it in QuickTime Player.
On iPhone/iPad: Open the Files app and locate the MOV video. Tap Share, then select Save Video to move it to the Photos app. Open the Photos app, then tap to open MOV file on iPhone/iPad.
You can open MOV on Windows 10/11, but support depends on the codec used. Those files encoded in HEVC/H.265 need HEVC support before they can be played. In this case, you can use VLC, which can open almost any format, regardless of the codec used.
To open: Right-click the MOV video, click Open With, and select VLC Media Player. If VLC plays the file, then the issue is related to the default media player's codec support.
To open MOV on Android, you can download a MOV player from the Google Play Store. You can use the Video Player All Format, formerly XPlayer, to play MOV files on Android.
To play: Install Video Player All Format from the Google Play Store and open it. Locate and select the MOV video from the list to start the playback.
AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate is a safe, offline video-to-video conversion software for Windows and Mac. With it, you can convert a QuickTime file to MP4 encoded with H.264, HEVC/H.265, MPEG-4, or AV1. It allows batch conversion of hundreds of media files without crashing the software or experiencing lag. It uses the most advanced hardware-accelerating media processing to achieve a 120× conversion speed.
Here's how to convert MOV to MP4:
1. Download the MOV-to-MP4 converter and complete the installation. After setup, it will open to the Converter tab.
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Click +Add Files to import the MOV files from your computer. AnyMP4 offers unlimited conversions and no file size restrictions, so you can upload multiple files.
2. Go to Output Format, click the Video category, and select MP4. Select Same as Source as your quality preset to keep the exact same resolution and frame rate as your source.
3. Return to the main interface and activate Hardware Acceleration to speed up the conversion. Set the destination folder, then click Convert All to convert MOV to MP4 without quality loss.
AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate can help fix MOV codec incompatibility with media players and devices. It can convert HEVC- or ProRes-encoded MOVs to MP4 H.264 without hassle. Just be sure to configure the video parameters correctly for an error-free video playback.
CloudConvert is a cloud-based conversion service that can handle various media and file types. It is a handy tool when you only need to convert one or two files. Since the conversion is done remotely, you don't need to install software.
To convert: Go to the free online MOV-to-MP4 converter, then click Select File to add the MOV sources. Set the output to MP4, then click Convert to start the conversion.
CloudConvert is a good, free option if you only convert files occasionally. However, nothing is truly free without limits. Free users have only a daily conversion credit limit of 10 and a 1 GB file size limit.
When a MOV video plays but produces no sound, the audio track uses an incorrect codec. AnyMP4 can help set the appropriate audio codec for your MOV file. In the Custom profile settings, go to the Audio section and set the audio encoder to AAC.
If the MOV file won't play on Windows, first try a different media player. If the file still won't play, there's a codec incompatibility. MOV can use H.264 or HEVC/H.265. If your file uses HEVC/H.265, convert it to MP4 using H.264 video and AAC audio.
MOVs can become large when they contain higher-resolution video or Apple ProRes codecs. To reduce the size, you can convert MOV to a lossy format, lower the resolution, reduce the video bitrate, or directly compress the MOV file.
Is a MOV file bigger than MP4?
Yes, MOVs are bigger than MP4 files. MP4s use high compression to make the file size smaller. MOV uses less compression to preserve more detail, resulting in a larger file size.
Can I open MOV files with Windows Media Player?
Windows Media Player doesn't support the MOV format until the latest WMP 12.0 version. In other words, you can open MOV files with the latest WMP on a Windows 10 PC.
Does converting MOV to MP4 lose quality?
No, it won't lose the quality, provided you use the right settings. If the converter changes the inner codec or lowers the bitrate, the video quality will drop.
What is MOV file? The first important distinction to understand is that MOV is a container, not a single codec. It may contain different video and audio streams. That's why one MOV file plays OK, but the other needs extra software. If you are just a casual video watcher, QuickTime Player, VLC, and Video Player All Format (formerly XPlayer) might be enough for you. If compatibility remains a problem, the easiest way to convert it to MP4 is with AnyMP4 Video Converter Ultimate.
Updated by Alice Thorne to GlossaryMore readings
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