Does Mac have an MP4 converter?

If you are looking for the best MP4 converter for Mac, the FFmpeg tool that comes with macOS can quickly handle various format conversions, such as MKV and AVI to MP4, which is especially suitable for batch processing.

1. Press Command + Space and enter "Terminal" to open.

2. Use the cd command to navigate to the folder where the video is stored, for example:

cd /Users/your username/Videos

3. Convert MKV to MP4:

for file in *.mkv; do ffmpeg -i "$file" -vcodec copy -acodec copy "${file%.*}.mp4"; done

The new MP4 file will appear in the same folder, with fast speed and lossless quality.

In just a few steps, FFmpeg is one of the most powerful best MP4 converter on Mac! Try it now!

If you are looking for the best MP4 video converter for Mac, the built-in QuickTime Player on your Mac can actually do basic format conversions, especially for converting MOV, AVI and other video files to MP4. Although the function is not particularly powerful, it is enough for many common needs. Here's how to use it to manually convert video formats:

Although you think QuickTime is a bit troublesome, it can still handle some simple video format conversions, especially MOV, AVI to MP4. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Open the video file: right-click your MOV/AVI file and choose to open it with QuickTime Player.
2. Click File > Export As > 1080p (or choose another resolution) in the menu bar.
3. When saving a file, QuickTime will automatically export it to MP4 format.

Although QuickTime does not support direct batch, you can use the shortcut Command + Option + N to quickly open multiple files and export them one by one. It's a bit tiring to do it manually, but the effect is good.

avconvert.

It is a command-line utility provided by macOS that enables users to perform basic audio and video file conversions. It's part of the Apple AVFoundation Framework, which is used for multimedia processing tasks. This MP4 converter tool is less well-known compared to third-party solutions like FFmpeg, but it’s a built-in option for Mac users who want to perform conversions without additional installations.

avconvert --source /path/to/input.mp4 --output /path/to/output.mov --preset PresetName

Explanation:

• --source: Specifies the input video file (replace /path/to/input.mp4 with the actual file path).
• --output: Defines the output file path and format.
• --preset: Use a specific preset for video encoding (options depend on your macOS version and installed presets).

avconvert can be executed directly from the macOS Terminal. However, starting from macOS Mojave (10.14), it became less prominent, and its functionality as free MP4 converter tool might be limited or require additional configuration.

Just get Handbrake. It's not on app store - free download from the Handbrake website. It converts anything to anything else

If you're set on a Mac native solution try the following, but I suspect it's just a fast way of doing what Quicktime does and won't help you.

In Finder - select the video file.

In the Finder menu bar: Finder/Services/Encode Selected Video Files

Get Handbrake

The built-in QuickTime Player on your Mac - a convenient yet limited video converter! While it can handle basic format conversions, it's not exactly the most powerful tool for the job. Here are some disadvantages to consider if you're looking for a more robust MP4 converter software on Mac.

QuickTime Player only supports converting MOV, AVI, and a few other formats to MP4. If you need to convert other file types, such as WMV, FLV, or MKV, you'll need a more advanced converter. As mentioned in the article, QuickTime Player doesn't support batch conversion. You'll need to manually open each file and export it individually, which can be time-consuming and tedious.

FFmpeg is primarily a command-line tool, which means you won't get a graphical interface to choose from. If you're used to working with visual interfaces, this might be a drawback. The syntax and options for FFmpeg can be complex and overwhelming, even for experienced users. You might need to spend some time learning the ropes before getting the hang of it.

While FFmpeg is powerful, it might not offer the same level of advanced features as dedicated MP4 converters software. For example, you might not find features like video editing, color correction, or 3D conversion. FFmpeg is designed to work with macOS, but it might not be compatible with all devices or platforms. If you need to convert videos for use on other devices or platforms, you might run into compatibility issues.

FFMPEG is more suitable for advanced users who are familiar with commands. It lacks a graphical user interface (GUI), making it challenging for users unfamiliar with command-line tools. Crafting the correct command syntax can be intimidating for beginners.

In addition, understanding FFmpeg's extensive set of features and options requires time and effort. New users might struggle to find the right commands for tasks like converting MP4 to other formats while retaining quality.

Unlike GUI-based tools, FFmpeg does not have ready-to-use presets for common tasks (e.g., MP4 for iPhone or reduced file size), requiring users to research and specify these settings manually.

From my view, FFMPEG is not a good MP4 converter for Mac. For beginners, it is more recommended using a dedicated GUI app instead.