What is an M4V file?
M4V stands for iTunes video. It was created by Apple and first released in 2003. M4V is nearly identical to MP4. Files bought from iTunes carry FairPlay copy protection, which no converter can legally remove; unprotected M4V files convert freely.
| Type | video |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy |
| Usually contains | H.264 video with AAC audio |
| In a browser | plays in Safari; Chrome plays unprotected M4V files |
| Common uses | iTunes films and TV shows and HandBrake exports |
| MIME type | video/x-m4v |
Which format should you convert M4V to?
- M4V to MP4 to play on any phone, computer or TV, or to upload to YouTube and social media.
- M4V to MOV to edit in iMovie or Final Cut Pro on a Mac.
- M4V to MP3 to keep only the soundtrack, for music or a podcast.
- M4V to GIF to share a short silent clip that loops anywhere.
M4V is already lossy, so converting it to a lossless format makes the file bigger without improving it; pick a lossless target only if a program requires one.
How to open an M4V file
Whether an M4V file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | Films and TV and Media Player open the common formats; VLC opens almost any video file, M4V included. |
|---|---|
| Mac | QuickTime Player opens formats Apple supports; VLC or IINA open the rest. |
| iPhone and iPad | The Files app plays formats Apple supports. For others, a player such as VLC for iOS, or converting the file here, is the easiest route. |
| Android | Most gallery and music apps play the common formats; VLC for Android plays almost everything. |
| Web browser | M4V plays in Safari; Chrome plays unprotected M4V files. |
Want the technical details? See what a .m4v file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
M4V compared with other video formats
How M4V stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M4V | Lossy | H.264 video with AAC audio | 2003 | iTunes films and TV shows and HandBrake exports |
| MP4 | Lossy | H.264 or H.265 video with AAC audio | 2001 | phone videos, YouTube uploads, social media and streaming |
| MOV | Lossy | H.264, HEVC or ProRes video with AAC audio | 1991 | iPhone recordings, Final Cut Pro and screen recordings on Mac |
| MKV | Lossy | almost any codec, often H.264 or H.265 with several audio and subtitle tracks | 2002 | films and TV rips, OBS recordings and anime releases |
| WebM | Lossy | VP8, VP9 or AV1 video with Vorbis or Opus audio | 2010 | web video, screen recorders and browser-based recordings |
How to use the M4V converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your M4V files on the box, or press Choose M4V files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Tips for converting M4V files without losing quality
M4V is lossy, so some detail was already discarded when the file was made. Converting it cannot bring that back. Converting to a lossless format preserves what is left exactly but makes the file larger; converting to another lossy format adds a small extra loss, which is invisible at sensible settings.
- Keep the original recording. Every re-encode costs a little detail, so convert from the best copy you have, not from a file that was already converted.
- Know whether you need a new container or a new codec. MOV, MKV and MP4 can all hold H.264 video, and switching between them is fast and lossless; changing the codec means re-encoding, which is slower.
- For sharing, MP4 with H.264 at 1080p or 720p is the safe choice: every phone, browser and social network plays it.
- Phones record at very high bitrates. If a file is too big to send, lowering the resolution to 720p usually shrinks it far more than any quality setting.
Convert M4V files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common M4V conversion, to AVI, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.m4v -c:v mpeg4 -q:v 4 -vtag xvid -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k output.aviChange the output extension to pick another format. The converter above runs the same ffmpeg engine inside your browser, so you get the result without installing anything.
M4V converter FAQ
What is an M4V file?
M4V stands for iTunes video, a video format created by Apple in 2003. M4V is nearly identical to MP4. Files bought from iTunes carry FairPlay copy protection, which no converter can legally remove; unprotected M4V files convert freely.
How do I open an M4V file?
M4V plays in Safari; Chrome plays unprotected M4V files. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common M4V conversion?
M4V to AVI is the conversion people search for most. The video is re-encoded to MPEG-4 Part 2 video with MP3 audio.
Does converting M4V files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your M4V files never leave your device.
Is the M4V converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many M4V files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert M4V files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your M4V files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several M4V files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.