There’s no need to worry about downloading additional software for converting MOV to MP4 on your Mac because you can use iMovie to achieve this.
To convert a MOV file using iMovie, navigate to the export settings and select from three different quality settings: low, medium, or high. Once you make your selection, iMovie will automatically convert and save the file in MP4 format.
My name is Nancy, and as someone who has been creating videos for years, I have found that the MP4 format is my preferred choice for saving videos.
In this article, you will discover how to convert video files by using iMovie and through the use of free online converters.
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How to Convert MOV to MP4 Using iMovie
MOV files are specifically designed for Apple devices and can be played using QuickTime Player. Although MOV files offer high-quality videos, not all media programs can support them.
To convert a video file in MOV to MP4 using iMovie, follow the steps below.
To begin, open the iMovie app and create a new project. Then, click on the Import button and choose the video clip that is in MOV format.
You’ll notice that the .MOV file type is labeled as a QuickTime movie.
After importing the video clip into your project, add it to the timeline. From there, you can make any required edits to the video before exporting it. If you only need to convert the video file, locate the Share button at the top right corner and choose Export File.
When you go to the Quality tab, you can choose from three quality options: low, medium, or high. If you select any of these options, the exported file will be in the MP4 format by default.
Select the destination folder where you wish to save your video and then click on the Save button.
That’s it! Your video will now be saved on your computer as an MP4 file.
Tip: You can learn how to save iMovie video as MP4 on Mac.
Alternative Ways to Convert MOV to MP4
If you prefer not to use iMovie to convert your video file, here are two online converters to convert MOV to MP4 for free on a Mac.
FreeConvert is a file conversion platform that allows you to convert various types of files such as videos, images, audio, and e-books. You can easily convert your MOV to MP4 in just a few minutes.
To convert your MOV file using FreeConvert, select the file you wish to convert and choose the output format as MP4. It is important to note that FreeConvert has a maximum file size limit of 1GB.
Once it’s finished converting your file, you can download it onto your Mac or save it to Google Drive or Dropbox.
Adobe Express is a cloud-based design platform that enables users to create, edit and share graphics and videos. Their web tools are free to use forever and they provide the option to convert your videos to MP4.
To use the free MP4 converter, upload your video file from your Mac and then click on the Download button. The converter will then convert your MOV file to MP4 and save it in the Downloads folder on your Mac.
Can I Convert MOV to MP4 without Losing Quality?
Converting a MOV file to MP4 format may result in some loss of quality, but it largely depends on the quality of the original MOV file, the codec used, and the settings of the conversion software.
In most cases, the difference in quality is minimal and it may not be noticeable to the naked eye. However, it’s always a good idea to use a reliable conversion tool and choose the appropriate settings to minimize the loss of quality during the conversion process.
Final Thoughts
MP4 is a widely accepted format that is compatible with almost all devices and media players. Another advantage of converting MOV files to MP4 is that MP4 files are relatively smaller in size and take up less storage space.
So if you need to convert your video file, you can use iMovie or one of the free online converters we mentioned earlier.
Let us know if you have any more questions about how to convert videos in iMovie in the comments section below.
