How to Convert MOV to MP4 on Mac

If you’re like me and often work with video files on a Mac, you’ve probably come across MOV files. For instance, I recently recorded a family event in MOV format using my camera, which saves videos that way by default. However, I needed to share it with relatives who use different devices. While MOV is great in many cases, there are times when you need to convert it to something more universally compatible—like MP4. Whether it’s for uploading to a website, sharing with a friend, or just saving space, converting MOV to MP4 is pretty easy. The best part? We’ll be using only the built-in tools on your Mac. I’ll also include methods using iMovie and VLC Media Player, as well as a command-line option with FFmpeg for those who are comfortable with Terminal.

Method 1: Change the File Extension, Manually

This is by far the simplest method, and it only takes a few seconds. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Right-click the MOV file you want to convert.
2. Select Rename from the menu.
3. Change the file extension from .mov to .mp4 (just delete the “mov” and type in “mp4”). Not, duplicate the file first, if you want to keep the original file.
4. Hit Enter on your keyboard.

Your Mac might give you a warning asking if you’re sure you want to change the extension. Just confirm by clicking Use .mp4.

This method doesn’t actually change the video format itself, so the quality of the video will remain the same as the original MOV file. However, this method works in most cases where the file needs to be recognized as MP4.

Method 2: Use iMovie’s Share Tool

If you need a true conversion (and not just renaming the file), iMovie is a great option. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open iMovie on your Mac.
2. Click Create New and select Movie.
3. Import your MOV file by clicking the Import Media button.
4. Drag the file into the timeline.
5. Go to File in the top menu, select Share, and then choose File….
6. In the export window, select your desired settings (resolution, quality, etc.), and ensure the format is Video and Audio.
7. iMovie will automatically export the file as MP4.
8. Choose where you want to save the MP4 file and click Save.

When using iMovie, the video quality can be adjusted during export. Make sure to select the highest quality settings if you want to maintain the original quality of the MOV file.

Method 3: Use VLC Media Player

If you have VLC Media Player installed (or if you’re willing to download it), it’s a versatile tool that can also convert video formats. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open VLC Media Player.
2. Go to File in the menu bar and select Convert / Stream.
3. Drag your MOV file into the window or click Open media to select it.
4. Choose MP4 from the Profile dropdown menu.
5. Select a destination file by clicking Save as File.
6. Click Save to start the conversion.

This method provides options for adjusting quality settings and codecs as needed.

Method 4: Use FFmpeg in Terminal (For Advanced Users)

If you’re comfortable with using the Terminal and want a fast, no-frills conversion, FFmpeg is an excellent tool. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the FFmpeg official website to download and install it on your Mac.
2. Once FFmpeg is installed, you can convert your MOV file to MP4 with a simple command. Navigate to the folder where your MOV file is located using cd in the Terminal, then run this command:

   ffmpeg -i input.mov output.mp4

Replace input.mov with the name of your MOV file, and output.mp4 with the name you want for your converted file.

3. FFmpeg will process the video and convert it to MP4 format. The quality of the video can be preserved if you use the right parameters during conversion, so check the FFmpeg documentation for options if quality is a concern.

With these four methods—renaming the extension, using iMovie, utilizing VLC, and leveraging FFmpeg—you’ve got plenty of options to convert MOV to MP4 on your Mac. Whether you’re looking for something super quick or a more advanced approach, you can get the job done without needing to download extra software or rely on online services. Just keep in mind the quality may vary depending on the method you choose!

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