Convert MOV to M4V on Mac
Select the MOV files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose M4V and press Return. FileFlip saves each M4V next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert MOV to M4V with FileFlip
Select the MOV files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from MOV. Type “M4V” to jump to it.
Choose M4V and press Return
The M4V files appear next to the originals with the same names. The MOV files stay as they are.
MOV and M4V
Screen recordings and iPhone videos are MOV files, which some websites, TVs and Windows apps handle less well than MP4. M4V is the MP4 variant Apple’s own apps and older Apple TV devices are built around.
What changes when you convert
- MOV and M4V are both containers for the same kinds of video, so this is mostly about where the file has to play.
| Property | MOV | M4V |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Apple | Apple |
| Compression | Container; usually H.264 or HEVC video | Container; usually H.264 video |
| Best for | Video on Apple devices and in editing apps | Video for Apple TV and Apple’s apps |
| Opens in | Apple devices, QuickTime Player, most players and editors; some websites and Windows apps prefer MP4 | Apple’s apps and most players that open MP4 |
| File extension | .mov | .m4v |
| In FileFlip | Opens and saves | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
Terminal
macOS includes avconvert, which picks the file type from the extension you give the output.
avconvert --source clip.mov \
--preset PresetHighestQuality --output clip.m4vBuilt into macOS. Run avconvert --help for other presets.
Questions about MOV and M4V
Can I convert many MOV files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose M4V. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the M4V file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .m4v extension. The MOV file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert M4V back to MOV?
Yes, FileFlip converts M4V to MOV as well.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert all your videos at once
FileFlip also handles images, camera raw files, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac