How to convert any video to MP4
MP4 with the H.264 codec plays on essentially every phone, computer, browser and platform. If a video won't play somewhere, converting to MP4 usually fixes it.
Pick the right converter for your file
- MOV (from iPhone) → MOV to MP4
- MKV (film containers) → MKV to MP4
- AVI (older format) → AVI to MP4
- WebM (browser recordings) → WebM to MP4
What to expect
The conversion keeps the video content the same; only the container format changes so more devices can open it. If the file is still large after converting, compress it with Video Compressor.
Checking the result plays correctly
After converting, play the file all the way through, including a section with movement or dialogue, to confirm both video and audio came through correctly — occasionally a conversion carries the picture but drops the sound, which is worth catching before sharing the file onward.
If the converted file is still large
Format conversion alone does not necessarily reduce file size much. If the MP4 is still too big to share, follow up with Video Compressor as a separate step.
Converting from an unusual or very old format
If your source file is in a genuinely unusual or very old format not covered by a direct converter, converting through an intermediate common format first — extracting frames as images, or converting via a different codec — is sometimes necessary, though this is uncommon for typical modern video files.
Related help articles
MP4 with H.264 has become the closest thing to a universal standard specifically because it balances quality, file size and compatibility better than the alternatives — this is why it is almost always the safe default when you are not sure what format a recipient needs.
