How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4

This wikiHow teaches you how to turn an MOV video file into an MP4 video file. You can use an online converter to do so, or you can download and use a free program called Handbrake. Both options are available for both Windows and Mac...
Method 1 of 2:

Using CloudConvert

  1. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 1How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 1
    Open the CloudConvert website. Go to https://cloudconvert.com/ in your browser.
  2. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 2How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 2
    Click Select Files. It's a grey button near the top of the page.
  3. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 3How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 3
    Select your MOV file. Click the MOV file that you want to convert into an MP4.
    1. If the MOV file is in a different folder than the one that opens, select the MOV file's folder on the left side of the window.
  4. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 4How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 4
    Click Open. It's in the bottom-right side of the window.
  5. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 5How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 5
    Click the mov box. You should see this option at the top of the page, just right of the file's name. A drop-down menu will appear.
  6. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 6How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 6
    Select video. It's in the drop-down menu. A pop-out menu will appear next to it.
  7. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 7How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 7
    Click mp4. This option is near the bottom of the pop-out menu. Doing so selects mp4 as your file's conversion goal.
  8. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 8How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 8
    Click Start Conversion. It's a red button in the bottom-right side of the page.
  9. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 9How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 9
    Wait for the video to finish converting. This can take several minutes, since the video must first upload to the CloudConvert website before it can begin converting.
  10. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 10How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 10
    Click Download. It's a green button on the far-right side of the page. Your converted file will begin downloading onto your computer.
    1. On some browsers, you'll need to confirm the download by selecting a download location and clicking Save when prompted.
Method 2 of 2:

Using Handbrake

  1. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 11How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 11
    Download and install Handbrake. Go to https://handbrake.fr/ in your browser and click the red Download Handbrake button, then do the following:
    1. Windows - Double-click the Handbrake installation file, click Yes when prompted, click Next, click I Agree, and click Install.
    2. Mac - Double-click the Handbrake DMG file, verify the download if prompted, and click and drag the Handbrake icon onto the Applications folder.
  2. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 12How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 12
    Open Handbrake. The Handbrake app icon resembles a pineapple next to a cocktail glass.
  3. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 13How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 13
    Click File. It's a folder-shaped icon on the left side of the Handbrake window.
    1. On Mac, you'll be prompted to open a new video file when the Handbrake app first runs. If not, click "Open Source" in the top-left corner.
  4. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 14How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 14
    Select your MOV file. Click on the left side of the window the folder in which the MOV file is stored, then click the MOV file itself to select it.
    1. On Windows, you may have to scroll up or down the left side of the File Explorer to find the correct folder.
  5. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 15How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 15
    Click Open. It's in the bottom-right side of the Handbrake window.
  6. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 16How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 16
    Select a save location. Click Browse on the far-right side of the "Destination" section, click a folder in which you want to save the MP4 file, enter a file name, and click Save.
  7. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 17How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 17
    Click the "Container" drop-down box. This option is directly below the "Output Settings" heading. A drop-down menu will appear.
    1. Skip this step and the next step if the drop-down box has "MP4" written in it.
  8. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 18How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 18
    Click MP4. It's in the drop-down menu. Doing so sets your file conversion type to MP4.
  9. How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 19How to Convert a MOV File to an MP4 Picture 19
    Click Start Encode. This is a green and black "Play" triangle at the top of the Handbrake window. The MOV file will be converted into an MP4 file and saved in your selected file location.
    1. On Mac, just click Start here.
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