You record a video on your iPhone, try to upload it somewhere, and it will not open, or it is rejected. The reason is usually the file type. Your phone saved a MOV file, and the place you are uploading to wants MP4.
The fix takes about a minute. You can convert MOV to MP4 for free, in your browser, with no software and no watermark.
The short version
Open the free Video Converter, drop in your MOV file, choose MP4 and press Convert. Then download the new file.
What is the difference between MOV and MP4?
Both are containers. A container is the box that holds the picture, the sound and the timing. The picture inside is often exactly the same.
| MOV | MP4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Apple | An open standard |
| Where you see it | iPhone, iPad, Mac, some cameras | Almost everywhere |
| Plays on | Apple devices best | Phones, PCs, TVs, browsers |
| Best for | Editing on a Mac | Sharing and uploading |
If you plan to share a video, upload it to a website, or send it to people on different devices, MP4 is the safer choice.
When should you convert MOV to MP4?
- A website or form says “MP4 only”.
- The video plays on your iPhone but not on a Windows PC or an Android phone.
- You want to put the video in an editor that does not open MOV well.
- You need a file that works the same everywhere.
How to convert MOV to MP4 for free
- Open the free Video Converter.
- Drop your MOV file in.
- Choose MP4 as the format. You can also lower the size or the frame rate if you want a smaller file.
- Press Convert.
- Download the new MP4.
The tool runs in your browser, so you do not install anything and you do not need an account.
Will converting lower the quality?
Not when it does not have to. If the picture inside your MOV is already in a format MP4 can hold, the converter copies it across untouched. That is fast and keeps full quality. If the picture needs to be re-encoded, you choose the quality yourself.
Two simple rules keep quality high:
- Convert once. Every extra conversion can lose a little detail.
- Keep your original. Save the MOV until you are happy with the MP4.
What if the file will not open?
Your browser has to be able to read the video. Files saved in HEVC (H.265), which many new phones use, only open on some computers. Chrome or Edge on a desktop handle the most. If it still fails, try another browser, or record in “Most Compatible” mode on your iPhone next time.
After converting: add captions
Most people watch videos with the sound off, so a converted video is the perfect moment to add captions. Create a free CapsField account, upload the MP4, and the captions are written for you in Urdu, Hindi, Hinglish, Punjabi or English. See our guide to adding captions to a video online.
Common questions
Is it really free?
Yes. The converter is free, has no watermark and needs no sign-up.
Is my video uploaded to a server?
The conversion happens in your browser on your own device.
Can I convert more than MOV?
Yes. The tool converts between MP4, WebM, MOV and MKV.
The converted file is too big. What now?
Use the free Video Compressor to make it smaller. Our guide on how to compress a video without losing quality explains the settings.
Ready to caption your video?
Converting fixes the format. Captions get the views. Try CapsField free and add accurate captions to your MP4 in minutes. More free utilities are on the free tools page.
