How to Convert MKV Files to MP4 on a Mac

The MKV file format is a common multimedia file. It contains video and audio content in one easy file, which makes it easier for others to view. The MKV file type supports high-quality H.264 video. MKV files are very large file formats, which can make them unwieldy. While they offer an excellent viewing experience, they may be difficult to watch in some formats, including on mobile devices and Apple computers.

MKV files are very large-format files. If you're trying to convert an MKV file, it probably hasn't taken you long to figure out that the format is very large – especially if you've attempted to perform that conversion online. The codecs used for the content inside the MKV file take up a great deal of space. In short, these large files are the price you pay for high-quality video playback. It's important to take that into consideration, both as you're deciding what format you want to use for your videos and as you're evaluating what steps you need to take when converting your MKV videos.

MKV (which stands for Matroska Video) is a universal format designed as a new standard for high-quality video compression. MKV can combine HD video with multiple audio tracks and subtitle tracks – that’s why it is a good choice for storing movies, TV shows, and concerts.

Unfortunately, Mac users may encounter difficulties when viewing MKV files, and iPhones do not support MKV at all. To open MKV files on Apple hardware, you need to convert MKV to a more common format, for example, MP4. The best way to do this is to use a dedicated conversion program. Movavi Video Converter can help you transform your files fast, thanks to its SuperSpeed mode.

Download Movavi Video Converter for Mac

Although Mac’s default player supports the MP4 video format natively, it can only play files compressed with MPEG-4, MPEG-2, and H.264 codecs. If you want to play an MP4 file encoded with a different codec, you’ll need to install a player that supports that codec, or convert the video clip to another format, like MOV.

Which format is better – MKV or MP4? Both MKV and MP4 are popular video formats that support H.264 video. However, Apple smartphones and Mac computers don’t support MKV natively, while MP4 is a default format for iPhone, iPad, and many other devices. So, if you want to transfer videos to your iPhone, it’s better to choose MP4, but if your device supports MKV, you can keep your files in this format.

Yes, it will help to make the file smaller. MKV files are usually larger than MP4s because of some attributes like multiple tracks and subtitles. A smaller file size means quicker downloads as well as savings in storage space. So if you need your MKV video to be smaller, try converting it to the MP4 file format. If you’re worried about quality loss, use the Movavi MKV-to-MP4 converter for Mac – it enables you to change the format of your videos while retaining good quality.

Handbrake is an open-source MKV-to-MP4 converter software with a free download. You can download and install it for free from the official site. Open the program and add your files. Then adjust the settings however you like before clicking the Start button to begin re-encoding and conversion.

You can use various programs and tools to convert MKV to MP4 for free, such as Movavi's Online Video Converter or VLC Media Player.

iPhone doesn't support MKV natively, but you can use third-party media player apps that will either play or convert MKV files. The best option is to usually convert MKV files using a desktop or an online tool.

You can't import MKV files to iMovie without converting them first. You'll need to use a converter tool or program like Movavi Video Converter to convert your MKV files to a format supported by iMovie, like MP4.