How to Convert MOV Files to MP4 Format [Windows/Mac/Online]

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Using WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro

Using iMovie

Using CloudConvert.com

Convert MOV to MP4 without Losing Quality

FAQs

MOV files are movie files created using an Apple product. This format is designed to be used within the QuickTime framework, such as the QuickTime Player. If you try to play a MOV file on another device or player, it may not play. The rule of thumb is to always change the format to .MP4, which is a universal video format, so that you can watch the movie without compatibility errors.

So, how do I change a MOV file to MP4 format?

It's easy. All you need to do is find a suitable MP4 converter for this case, and you're already on the page that's going to share the best tools to help you handle the conversion with ease. Let's get started!

Method 1: Using WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro

WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is a professional video converter on Windows that can handle the conversion of various video formats. For converting MOV to MP4, it only takes 3 steps. In addition, it allows you to convert multiple files at the same time. It can also use hardware acceleration if your computer has NVIDIA hardware or Intel CPU. So the whole conversion process will be very smooth and fast.

You can download download the software and follow the steps to start the conversion.

Step 1. Import MOV files into the Converter

Launch WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro and select Converter. Next, click the center + button or the Add Files button to import the MOV videos into the converter. You can also drag the files directly into the program.

Step 2. Select MP4 as the output format

Click the format image on the right side of the interface to open the output format list. Go to the Video section and select MP4 from the provided profiles.

By default, the converter smartly fits the best settings for the conversion and you should be able to see a lightning icon in the conversion list. This means that the conversion will start without re-encoding, so no quality will be lost. Lightning mode will not be activated if the video resolution, codec, bitrate or any other video parameter changes.

Step 3. Start the conversion

Finally, click the bottom ▼ button to set an output folder and hit the Run button to convert the .mov files to .mp4.

Hot Search: MP4 to MPEG4 | MKV to MP4 | WebM to MP4 | AVI to MP4 | MP4 to HEVC

Note: The unregistered version of the software only allows you to convert the first five minutes of a file. To convert longer videos, purchase a license to activate the full software version. At the same time, you can also unlock more hidden features. Currently, the 50% discount coupon for the software is still valid.

Method 2: Using iMovie

It is relatively easy to convert video file formats on Mac computers using the iMovie app. Although it is an editing software, it can export video files to other formats such as MP4.

Without further ado, let’s see how to convert MOV to MP4 on Mac using iMovie.

Step 1. Open iMovie on your computer.

Step 2. Drag the MOV file onto the timeline.

Step 3. Click the Share button on the upper right corner and select Export File.

Step 4. Leave the settings as default and click Next. Now the .mp4 video will be created.

Tip: Sometimes, it also works if you rename the .mov to .mp4 extension.

Method 3: Using CloudConvert.com

Many online video converters are also available for MOV-to-MP4 conversion. If you want to try an online service, CloudConvert.com is a very good choice. Just upload, convert, download, and it’s done.

The biggest advantage of online converters over desktop converters is that users can directly convert videos without installing software. Now, let's see how to convert a MOV video to MP4 format in CloudConvert.com.

Step 1. Open your browser and visit https://cloudconvert.com/.

Step 2. Click Select File and upload a MOV file to the site.

Step 3. Click the ‘Convert to’ box and select the MP4 format.

Optionally, you can click the Settings and adjust the output settings as needed.

Step 4. Click the Convert button and wait for the conversion to complete.

Step 5. Click Download to save the converted file to your device.

Note that most online converters are only suitable for small files. However, sites like CloudConvert.com support files up to 1GB. If you want to convert larger videos, the previous two software will be better solutions.

Knowledge Base: Convert MOV to MP4 without Losing Quality

MOV files can store high-quality videos. So it's understandable that you want to convert MOV files without losing quality. But many software and tools transcode videos during the conversion process, so the output quality will be lower than the original video, especially when converting low-quality videos, this quality drop is very obvious.

If you don't want to sacrifice quality during video conversion, you should avoid video transcoding. Using a converter like WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro can help you do this easily (learn how to change the video container only). However, iMovie and online tools always transcode videos, so quality loss is inevitable.

FAQs

1. Does converting MOV to MP4 reduce file size?

It depends. Keep in mind that MOV and MP4 are video containers. A MOV or MP4 file can be compressed using different compression technologies. If you use a more efficient compression during the conversion, then the file size will be reduced.

2. How do I convert MOV to MP4 for free on Mac?

You can use iMovie to convert MOV directly to MP4 for free on Mac. Follow these steps:

1. Open iMovie.
2. Drag the MOV file onto the timeline.
3. Click the Share button > Export File.
4. Click Next to begin the conversion.

3. Can Windows open MOV files?

Windows can open MOV files in Windows Media Player 12 and the latest media player. However, it may fail to open some MOV files due to lack of MOV codecs.