MOV file format
Apple QuickTime File Format (.mov): recording and editing on iPhone and Mac.
MOV is Apple’s QuickTime format and what an iPhone records by default. MP4 was actually derived from it, so most MOV files contain the same kind of video and can often be converted to MP4 in seconds without re-encoding. Since iOS 11, iPhones record HEVC (H.265) video, which many Windows PCs, Android phones and websites cannot play — converting to MP4 with H.264 fixes that.
| Full name | Apple QuickTime File Format |
|---|---|
| File extension | .mov, .qt |
| MIME type | video/quicktime |
| Created | 1991 by Apple |
| Usual codecs | H.264 or H.265 (HEVC) from iPhones, ProRes from cameras, with AAC audio |
| Plays on | Apple devices natively; on Windows, Android and many websites support is hit-and-miss (especially for HEVC) |
| Best for | recording and editing on iPhone and Mac |
Advantages
- Native on iPhone and Mac
- Supports pro codecs like ProRes
Drawbacks
- HEVC MOV files often will not play on Windows or Android
- Some websites reject MOV uploads
Convert MOV to…
Convert to MOV
More MOV tools
Frequently asked questions
What is a .mov file?
MOV is Apple’s QuickTime format and what an iPhone records by default. MP4 was actually derived from it, so most MOV files contain the same kind of video and can often be converted to MP4 in seconds without re-encoding. Since iOS 11, iPhones record HEVC (H.265) video, which many Windows PCs, Android phones and websites cannot play — converting to MP4 with H.264 fixes that.
How do I open a MOV file?
MOV files open on Apple devices natively; on Windows, Android and many websites support is hit-and-miss (especially for HEVC). If a program will not open yours, convert it to a more common format.
How do I convert MOV?
Use one of the converters below — they run in your browser, so your videos are never uploaded. Most popular: MOV to MP4, MOV to MP3, MOV to WAV.