8 Best Ways to Convert MP4 to MOV Format Easily on Windows & Mac
Ever tried to work with a video in MOV format, only to realize you’re stuck with an MP4? Yeah, it’s annoying. Whatever the reason, MOV files are popular for a reason: they look good and play nicely with a lot of programs. Whether it’s for editing in Final Cut Pro, sharing on Apple devices, or ensuring compatibility with certain software, MOV files are often preferred for their high quality and versatility. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to convert MP4 to MOV, from desktop software like iDownerGo and VLC to online tools like CloudConvert and FreeConvert. In this article, we’ll explore eight reliable methods to help you convert your videos quickly and efficiently.
iDownerGo Video Converter
iDownerGo Video Converter is our first recommendation and is a powerful video/audio converter for Windows and macOS. Whether it’s a online video or local media files, iDownerGo Video Converter lets you convert to any formats in seconds without compromising quality, such as MP4, MOV, MKV, or audio-only files, giving you full control over your media library.
▼ How to Convert MP4 to MOV Format on Windows or macOS?
Step 1 Add your MP4 video into iDownerGo by clicking the “Add Files” button from the “Convert” section. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the video to the main interface.
Step 2 After you import the MP4 file, click on the “Convert” option, which will automatically pop up a window showing output formats.
Step 3 Select MOV format and click on the “OK” button.
Step 4 The tool will process MP4 file to MOV automatically.
Step 4 After the conversion from MP4 to MOV, you can check it on the “Converted” section.
QuickTime
If you’re on a Mac, QuickTime is a simple and free way to convert MP4 files to the MOV format. While QuickTime is primarily a media player, its “Export As” feature also lets you save videos in Apple-supported formats like MOV. This method is straightforward and ideal if you only need to change the file container without altering the video itself.
▼ How to Convert MP4 to MOV in QuickTime?
Step 1: Open the MP4 file in QuickTime, then go to File > Export and select your desired resolution, such as 720p or higher.
Step 2: The exported file will automatically be saved in MOV format. Note that the video content remains the same; only the file container changes.
iMovie
iMovie is another Mac-native tool you can use to save MP4 videos as MOV. Unlike QuickTime, iMovie doesn’t have a direct “Export As” option, but its Share > File function allows you to achieve the same result while optionally customizing video settings.
▼ How to Export MP4 to MOV in iMovie?
Step 1: Open iMovie and create a new project or open an existing one.
Step 2: After editing, go to File > Share > File, or click the Share icon in the upper-right corner and select File.
Step 3: In the export dialog, edit the title, tags, description, and resolution according to your needs.
Step 4: Under Quality, choose Best (ProRes) to ensure a high-quality MOV export.
Step 5: Click Next, rename your file, and save it. Your project will now be exported as a MOV file on your desktop.
VLC
VLC Media Player isn’t just for playback it also offers a reliable way to convert videos between common formats. You can easily turn MP4 files into MOV, MKV, AVI, or even extract audio to MP3. VLC is perfect for users who need a free, cross-platform solution for simple format conversions.
▼ How to Convert MP4 to MOV with VLC Media Player?
Step 1: Open VLC and go to Media > Convert / Save…
Step 2: Click Add to select your MP4 file(s), then press Convert/Save.
Step 3: Click the Settings icon to open the Profile editor, set the output format to MOV, and optionally rename your file.
Step 4: Choose a destination folder by clicking Browse, then hit Start to begin the conversion process.
CloudConvert
CloudConvert is a versatile web-based converter that supports MP4 to MOV conversion without installing any software. It works directly in your browser and allows you to adjust video settings like resolution, codec, and file size before converting. This makes it a convenient choice for quick online conversions.
▼ How to Convert MP4 to MOV with CloudConvert?
Step 1: Go to CloudConvert MP4 to MOV.
Step 2: Upload your MP4 file by dragging it into the browser window or selecting it from your computer.
Step 3: Customize output settings if needed, such as video quality, codec, or resolution.
Step 4: Click Convert and wait for the process to finish.
Step 5: Download the MOV file once the conversion is complete.
FreeConvert
FreeConvert offers a simple and free way to convert MP4 videos to MOV directly from your browser. It supports batch conversion and allows you to tweak settings such as resolution, file size, and codec. It’s perfect for users who want a fast, no-installation solution.
▼ How to Use FreeConvert to Convert MP4 to MOV?
Step 1: Open FreeConvert MP4 to MOV.
Step 2: Click Choose Files and select your MP4 videos.
Step 3: Optionally, adjust settings like resolution or output quality.
Step 4: Press Convert to MOV and wait for the conversion to complete.
Step 5: Download the MOV files to your computer.
Gumlet
Gumlet is another online tool that lets you convert MP4 videos to MOV quickly without any software installation. It’s optimized for speed and simplicity, allowing you to process files directly from your browser and download them immediately.
▼ How to Convert MP4 to MOV with Gumlet?
Step 1: Visit Gumlet MP4 to MOV and click Convert Now.
Step 2: Upload your MP4 file using the upload button.
Step 3: Adjust optional settings like resolution or compression if needed.
Step 4: Click Convert to start the process.
Manually Change MP4 Extension to MOV
If you’re looking for a free and fast way to convert MP4 to MOV, you can simply rename the file extension. This method works best for smaller video files and doesn’t require any additional software.
▼ How to Convert MP4 to MOV on Windows 10?
Step 1: Open File Explorer, go to the View tab, and click Options.
Step 2: In the Folder Options window, uncheck Hide extensions for known file types and click OK.
Step 3: Make a copy of your MP4 video, then right-click on it and select Rename.
Step 4: Change the file extension from .mp4 to .mov and confirm the change by clicking Yes.
Your video file is now in MOV format and ready to use. Keep in mind that this method only changes the container format and doesn’t re-encode the video, so it may not work perfectly for all media players.
Conclusion
Converting MP4 videos to MOV can be done in multiple ways, whether you prefer desktop software, online tools, or even a quick manual rename. While QuickTime, iMovie, VLC, CloudConvert, FreeConvert, and Gumlet all get the job done, each has its own limitations; some only work on Mac, some require internet access, and others may not preserve video quality or metadata. For the fastest, most reliable, and most complete solution, iDownerGo Video Converter stands out. It not only downloads videos from thousands of sites in high quality, but also lets you convert MP4 to MOV or other formats effortlessly. With features like batch conversion, customizable output settings, 10x faster speed, and a built-in browser, it’s the all-in-one tool for anyone who frequently works with video content.
