What is a MOV File? How to Play MOV Video Files

This article will delve into MOV files. We'll explain what MOV files are, how to fix corrupted MOV files, how to open MOV files, and the differences between MOV and MP4 files. If you want to know what MOV files are or need help opening one, this article will provide all the information you require.

What is a MOV file?

A MOV file can contain video, video effects, audio, text, images, subtitles, and other media files. It is one of the common video container formats used in video editing applications. It is typically associated with Apple's QuickTime software and is a type of MPEG-4 video container file.

MOV files are common on Apple devices like the Mac, iPhone, and iPad, since those devices default to recording videos in this format.

To play a MOV file on your computer or phone, you'll need a MOV player, or you can try converting the MOV file to a different format.

[1] MOV Player for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS

They're usually opened and played with Apple's QuickTime Player, which can also create MOV files. Sometimes these files might be saved with the MOVIE, QT, or MOOV file extensions.

This part will recommend some practical MOV file players, and you can find the suitable MOV file player from the list below:

How to Repair Damaged MOV Files

If you are unable to open MOV video files, they might be corrupted or damaged. Sometimes, you can quickly fix the issue of not being able to open MOV files by updating your MOV media player, removing viruses, or re-downloading the MOV file.

If the quick fix methods fail to repair your damaged MOV file, you should try using a MOV repair tool. If you're a PC user, give the Data Recovery Wizard a shot – it can recover deleted MOV files and fix corrupted MOV files.

MOV Repair: 6 Ways to Fix Corrupted MOV Files

This article will show you 6 methods to repair damaged or corrupted MOV files.

How to Open MOV Files on Windows or iOS

If you're unable to open MOV files on Windows or iOS and are sure that your MOV file isn't corrupted, you should use one of the MOV players we recommend before attempting to open a MOV video file.

How to Open MOV Files on Windows Without Downloading Software

If you don't want to download software to open a MOV file, try using Windows Media Player, but only if it's updated to version 12. You can also use the Windows Photos app on a Windows computer to open MOV files. This method requires that you're running Windows 10 or later.

Step 1: Find the MOV file you want to convert on your computer.

Step 2. Right-click the MOV file and choose Open With > Photos.

Note: You have other options to open MOV files. You can use a video converter to convert MOV videos to MP4.

How to Open MOV Files on iPhone Without Downloading Software

If you have both a MacBook Air/Pro and an iPhone, you can sync MOV videos through iTunes. We'll show you how to use iTunes to open MOV files on your iPhone:

1. Open iTunes on your Mac. Click the “File” tab and select “Add File to Library.” Find your MOV file, select the media you want to import, then click “Open.”

Step 2: From the "Library" menu, click on the "Movies" tab. The main software window will display a list of all the videos stored in your iTunes library. Select the target MOV file.

Step 3: Load the target MOV video file > File > Convert > Create iPod or iPhone Version.

Step 4: You can then drag the converted MOV file directly into the "iPhone" tab, and the program will sync the file to your device.

Differences Between MOV and MP4 Video Files

MOV and MP4 are the most common video file formats. MOV was released in 1998, while MP4 came out in 2001, so MOV is “older.” There are some subtle differences between MOV and MP4:

< strong>Popularity. Apple created MOV files primarily for QuickTime, but the format has gained traction across various platforms. Since MP4 is intended to be an international standard, 90% of users save their videos with the MP4 file extension, making it a more common and widely-supported format than MOV.

< strong>File size. Video quality is one area where MOV and MP4 files differ, with MOV files being larger and of higher quality than MP4 video files. Users opt for MP4 to save on storage space, while MOV is chosen for its superior video standard.

Accessibility. MP4 files can be played on most devices, so you won't need to download any additional programs. MOV files, on the other hand, can be difficult to open if you aren't using a Mac, and may require a MOV media player.

Conclusions

We hope this sheds more light on MOV files, and the difference between MP4 and MOV files. Don't forget that the Data Recovery Wizard can help you recover and fix MOV/MP4 files!