About the MOV to MP4
iPhones and Macs save videos as MOV, Apple's QuickTime format. Windows, Android, websites and many upload forms work best with MP4. The good news is that MOV and MP4 are close relatives, so this converter can usually move the H.264 or HEVC video and AAC sound straight into an MP4 without re-encoding: it takes seconds and loses nothing. If a stream can't be copied, it is re-encoded instead. Everything happens on your device.
Updated October 2026
How to use the MOV to MP4
- 1Select a MOV video, for example from your iPhone.
- 2Press Convert to MP4.
- 3Wait a few seconds.
- 4Play the MP4 preview.
- 5Download the MP4.
MOV and MP4 are related
The MP4 format was based on Apple's QuickTime format, which is why converting between them is usually just a matter of rewriting the file's structure. The frames themselves don't need to change.
Sharing iPhone videos with Windows and Android
MP4 opens in Windows Media Player, the Photos app, Android galleries and almost every website upload form. Converting first avoids the 'file type not supported' errors that MOV sometimes triggers.
- Upload forms that only accept .mp4
- Android phones without HEVC support
- Older Windows PCs
How it works without uploading
Your browser has a built-in video engine (WebCodecs) that phones and computers use to play and record video. This tool uses it through Mediabunny, an open-source media library, to read your file, change it and write a new one, all inside the page. Speed depends on your device: a recent phone or laptop handles a few minutes of HD video comfortably, while long 4K files take longer.
Making iPhone record MP4-friendly video
In Settings > Camera > Formats, choosing Most Compatible makes the iPhone record H.264, which plays everywhere, at the cost of larger files. The file is still called .MOV, but converting it here is then always lossless.
When copying isn't possible
MOV files from professional cameras can contain ProRes or other codecs that MP4 players don't support. In that case the converter re-encodes the video to a standard codec, which takes longer and shows a progress bar. Screen recordings made with QuickTime on a Mac usually copy straight across.
Big iPhone videos
4K videos at 60 frames per second use roughly 400 MB per minute. Converting to MP4 doesn't make them smaller, because nothing is re-encoded. If you also need a smaller file for sharing, run the MP4 through the Video Compressor and choose 1080p or 720p.
Phone and computer
You can convert on the iPhone itself in Safari: pick the video from Photos and save the MP4 to Files. If you ever need the reverse, use MP4 to MOV, and the Video Converter lists other video types.
Features
- Lossless copy for most MOV files
- Seconds, not minutes, when copying
- HEVC (H.265) and H.264 supported
- Sound kept
- No upload
- Free, no watermark
Frequently asked questions
Is MOV to MP4 lossless?
Usually yes. When the video is H.264 or HEVC with AAC sound, the streams are copied without change.
What about HEVC iPhone videos?
HEVC can be copied into MP4 as it is, but some Windows PCs and older devices can't play HEVC. Use the Video Compressor if you need H.264 for maximum compatibility.
Why is my iPhone video a MOV?
Apple's Camera app records MOV by default. The video inside is the same kind as in an MP4.
Will Live Photos work?
Live Photos are a photo plus a short MOV. Export the video part, then convert it here.
Which browsers work best?
Chrome and Edge on computers and Android support the most video formats. Safari 16.4+ and recent Firefox work too, but some codecs, such as HEVC in Firefox, may not be supported there.
Is my video uploaded?
No. It is processed on your own device with your browser's built-in video engine, so private videos never leave your phone or computer.
Will the date and location be kept?
Basic information such as the creation date is copied when possible. Some Apple-specific details may be left out.