How to Convert a Video (MP4, MKV, AVI, etc.) to iTunes Format for Playback

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Why Can't You Add Certain Videos to iTunes?

How to Convert Video to iTunes Format:

Step 1: Add a Video File

Step 2: Select iTunes Video Format

Step 3: Convert Video to iTunes

Wrap-up

FAQs

iTunes provides a convenient way to manage video files. In addition to downloading movies within the app, you can also import external video files into iTunes for organization and playback.

But iTunes is quite picky about video formats. You may often encounter compatibility issues when adding MKV, AVI, and even MP4 files. The fix? Simple. Just convert the video to iTunes format so it can be successfully uploaded to your iTunes library.

Why Can't You Add Certain Videos to iTunes?

Before diving into the solution, it helps to understand why your files may be rejected by iTunes.

As mentioned, Apple's iTunes has quite limited support for video file formats, restricted to MP4, MOV, and M4V. So the primary cause for failed video import is incompatible format, and you would definitely fail to import files like MKV and AVI, as they are clearly unsupported.

Also, iTunes supports only specific codecs used within these formats (H.264/MPEG-4 video and AAC audio). So even when the .mp4 extension is supported, you would still fail to load an MP4 file if it's encoded with H.265 or other codecs.

In some cases, high bitrate or resolution can also cause videos fail to add to your iTunes library.

🔔 Note: Since iTunes 11, newly added videos do not appear under the old My Movies tab. Instead, they are placed in the Home Videos category under Movies. Check this section if you successfully imported a file but cannot find it.

How to Convert Video for iTunes Format

A dedicated iTunes video converter is required for performing the conversion easily and reliably. And WonderFox Free HD Video Converter Factory is our recommended solution, as it includes an optimized iTunes video profile, which can help you convert almost any video to iTunes video format in just a few clicks. In addition, the program also provides profiles for iPhone, iPad, iMovie, Apple TV, and more, allowing quick conversion for perfect compatibility with your target device or platform. Best of all, the program is completely free to use.

Now, just download and install download and install this freeware on your PC to convert video files for iTunes.

Step 1: Add a Video File

Run the software and open the Converter program. Next, click Add Files to add the video you want to convert. Alternatively, you can directly drag and drop the video file into the program interface.

Step 2: Select iTunes Video Format

On the right side of the program, press the format image to expand the output format page. Then click the Apple tab and select iTunes Video (M4V H264/AAC) as the output format.

💡 The iTunes supported video formats include MOV, MP4, and M4V. In addition to selecting iTunes Video, you can also go to the Video tab and choose MOV or MP4 as the output format. Then change the video encoder to H264 and the audio encoder to AAC in the Parameter settings.

Step 3: Convert Video to iTunes

Click the ▼ button to set an output folder and press Run to start the video conversion.

🔔 Converting video for iTunes is easy with the software. But if you have multiple video files or want to convert high-quality movies to iTunes, you can try the upgraded version of this software, which can help you fast change between video formats without quality loss, batch convert videos, and transcode videos with hardware acceleration.

Bonus Tip: Play Video on Apple Devices Without Conversion
If you prefer not to convert your video files, you can simply not use iTunes. Instead, you can install a third-party media player like VLC, a universal media player, on your device, then play the desired video file in the app.

Wrap-up

That's the whole process of how to convert video to iTunes compatible video formats. There are no complicated steps, all you need to do is import the video, choose the iTunes video format, and start the conversion. Now, it's time to convert your video files to iTunes with this dedicated iTunes video converter.

I hope this article was useful to you. Thanks for reading. Have a great day!

FAQs

1. Can I play MKV in iTunes?

No. You can't. iTunes only supports MP4, MOV, and M4V video formats. If you want to play MKV in iTunes, you need to first convert MKV to iTunes-supported formats.

2. Why does iTunes fail to import some of my MP4 files?

Keep in mind that iTunes needs to decode both the container and the codecs used inside to import videos. It's likely that your MP4 files that failed to import use unsupported codecs like H265, so they can't be added to iTunes. You will still need to convert these MP4 files into an iTunes-compatible MP4 version.