Video format
The MOV format
MOV is Apple’s video container, usually H.264 or HEVC from an iPhone. MOV is Apple’s QuickTime container from 1991, and still the format iPhones and Macs record in.
When to use MOV
Keep MOV for editing on a Mac; convert a copy to MP4 for sharing.
It is best for recording and editing video on Apple devices, and it opens on Apple devices and most editors; some Windows PCs, Android phones and upload forms struggle with it.
How to open it: QuickTime and Photos on a Mac, VLC anywhere; Windows needs HEVC support for iPhone recordings.
| Full name | QuickTime Movie |
|---|---|
| Extensions | .mov, .qt |
| MIME type | video/quicktime |
| Introduced | 1991 |
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | H.264 or HEVC video with AAC audio, or ProRes from editors |
| Support | Mainly Apple devices |
| Typical size | A minute of 4K iPhone video is roughly 170–400 MB |
Good at
- High quality straight from the camera
- Holds ProRes for professional editing
- Works smoothly in Apple’s own apps
Not so good at
- HEVC MOVs won’t play on many Windows PCs and Android phones
- Plenty of forms accept only MP4
The common mistake
A MOV from an iPhone is usually an ordinary H.264 or HEVC video that can move into MP4 without re-encoding; a MOV exported from an editor may be ProRes and ten times larger.
Convert MOV to another video format
Save the sound of an MOV as
Compare MOV with
Questions
What is an MOV file?
MOV (QuickTime Movie) is Apple’s video container, usually H.264 or HEVC from an iPhone. MOV is Apple’s QuickTime container from 1991, and still the format iPhones and Macs record in.
How do I open an MOV file?
QuickTime and Photos on a Mac, VLC anywhere; Windows needs HEVC support for iPhone recordings.
How do I convert MOV to another format?
Pick the target on this page, or open the Video Converter, drop the MOV file and choose a format. It converts in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.