Convert MOV to MP4
Convert Apple MOV videos to universal MP4 format. Free, in your browser, no file uploads.
.mov · up to 100 MB
Why convert MOV to MP4
Apple videos compatible with the entire world
Universal compatibility
MP4 with H.264 works on Windows, Android, all social networks and players without installing anything.
Total privacy
Your video is never uploaded to any server. Conversion happens locally with FFmpeg.wasm.
Minimal quality loss
H.264 CRF 23 offers an excellent balance between file size and perceived visual quality.
No signup or limits
Convert as many files as you need — no account, no watermark, no waiting.
How it works
Three steps, no hassle
Select your MOV video
Drag or select your .mov file recorded with iPhone, Mac, or a compatible camera. No signup, no watermark.
H.264 re-encoding in your browser
FFmpeg.wasm converts the QuickTime container to MP4 and re-encodes the video with H.264/AAC. Your file never leaves your device.
Download your MP4
The resulting MP4 is compatible with Windows, Android, all social networks, and streaming platforms.
FAQ
Got questions?
MOV is the QuickTime container format developed by Apple in 1991. While technically excellent, it is not universally compatible: Windows does not play it natively without installing additional codecs, many video platforms (TikTok, some online editing tools) do not accept it, and iPhone MOV files can be very large. MP4 is the universal standard that works on absolutely everything.
The process involves re-encoding the video with H.264, which technically introduces lossy compression. However, with the default settings (CRF 23 in H.264), the visual difference is practically imperceptible for normal content like screen recordings, vlogs, or family videos. For professional production where every detail matters, working with the original file is recommended.
Basic metadata such as duration, resolution, and frame rate is preserved. Some Apple-proprietary metadata (like gyroscopic orientation data from iPhone or camera app information) may be lost during conversion as it is specific to the QuickTime container.
Processing time is proportional to the video's duration and resolution. A 10-minute 1080p video can take several minutes. The conversion happens on your device, so time depends on your processor's performance. On mobile devices the process is slower than on desktop computers.
Yes. iPhone records in MOV (QuickTime) format by default, especially on older iOS versions. Modern iPhones (iOS 11+) can record directly in HEVC/H.265, but when files are shared they are automatically converted to compatible MOV. This tool converts any of these MOV files to MP4 compatible with Windows and video platforms.
The generated MP4 with H.264 codec and AAC audio is compatible with everything: Windows Media Player, VLC, QuickTime, all web browsers, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Telegram, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and any Android device, iOS, smart TV, or gaming console.
MOV to MP4: QuickTime history (Apple 1991), H.264/AVC codec, and the difference between container and codec
QuickTime was developed by Apple and introduced in 1991 as the first cross-platform multimedia framework for macOS. The .mov (QuickTime Movie) file format was designed to be extensible and hierarchical, using a structure of nested 'atoms' that could contain different types of data. Its architecture was so influential that the MPEG-4 Part 14 (.mp4) standard, published in 2003, is technically based on the QuickTime file format — which explains why MOV and MP4 are very similar at the container level.
A common point of confusion is the difference between container and codec. The container (MOV, MP4, AVI, MKV) is like the 'envelope': it defines how data is organized in the file. The codec (H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1) is the 'language' in which the video is encoded inside the envelope. A .mov file can contain H.264, ProRes, HEVC, or even MJPEG video. An .mp4 file can also contain H.264, H.265, or AV1. Converting MOV to MP4 in most cases means changing the container while keeping the same codec — though sometimes it also involves re-encoding if the original codec is not compatible with MP4.
Social networks have specific video requirements: Instagram accepts MP4 with H.264 and AAC audio up to 4 GB. TikTok requires MP4 or MOV but recommends MP4. YouTube accepts MOV but converts it internally to MP4. Twitter/X has a 512 MB limit for MP4. Converting your MOV video to MP4 before uploading guarantees maximum compatibility and reduces the risk of rejection due to incompatible format or unsupported codec on the platform.