Convert M4V to MP4
Your files are processed on your device. We never upload them.
Video is read and written with Mediabunny, under the Mozilla Public License. Browsers without their own AAC encoder use FFmpeg's, under the GNU LGPL.
How to convert M4V to MP4
- 01A ▸Choose your M4V videos, or drop them on the page.
- 02A ▸Keep Copy for the fastest result, or pick Re-encode to H.264 for an old player.
- 03A ▸Select Convert to MP4, then download each video.
About M4V to MP4
Where M4V files come from
M4V files come from Apple's apps (iTunes, the TV app, iMovie exports), from HandBrake's Apple presets, and from older iPod and Apple TV conversions. Inside, they are MP4. Windows apps, Android, and many upload forms only recognise the .mp4 name.
What changes
- The picture and sound are copied as they are into a file with standard MP4 labels, so quality and size stay the same.
- Chapter markers and extra sound or subtitle tracks are left out; the main picture and sound are kept.
- Apple-only labels that mark the file for the iTunes library are not carried over.
Measured
Our one-minute 1080p sample at 30 frames a second with H.264 video and AAC sound in M4V (a synthetic test pattern, which is easier to encode than real footage), converted in Chrome on a laptop. Phone timings are still to be measured.
| M4V file | 61.1 MB |
|---|---|
| MP4 file | 61.3 MB |
| Time (Chrome, laptop) | 0.3 seconds, nothing re-encoded |
| Time on phones | still to be measured |
In your browser
Copying works in every current browser, because it needs no decoder. Re-encode to H.264 uses the browser's own encoder (WebCodecs), found in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari 16.4 and later.
Limits
- Copy-protected (FairPlay) videos from the iTunes Store can't be read or converted.
- AC-3 surround sound, which some HandBrake presets add, is kept as it is and doesn't play in Chrome or Firefox.
Other options
- MOV to MP4: for videos straight from an iPhone or a Mac.
- MP4 to MP3: keep only the sound.
Questions
What's the difference between M4V and MP4?
Very little. M4V is Apple's name for an MP4 video, used by iTunes, Apple TV app exports, and HandBrake. Some apps and websites only accept the .mp4 name, which is why converting helps.
Are my videos uploaded?
No. Your files are processed on your device. We never upload them.
Can I convert movies bought from iTunes?
No. Purchased and rented iTunes videos are copy-protected (FairPlay DRM), and removing that protection isn't allowed. Videos you made or exported yourself convert fine.
Does it lose quality?
Not with Copy. The picture and sound are moved into the MP4 exactly as they are.