.mov — Apple QuickTime Movie
Apple Inc. · 1991
MOV is Apple's QuickTime multimedia container format.
Key Features
- Compressed storage behavior for typical video workflows
- Common MIME type: video/quicktime
- Recognizable file signature: 66 74 79 70 71 74 (ftypqt)
- Associated with Apple Inc.
Best For
- Playback across modern devices
- Online distribution
- Long-form audiovisual media
Less Ideal For
- Frame-perfect editing masters
- Lossless archival workflows
- Plain text or executable tasks
Common Use Cases
- Streaming or local playback
- Social sharing and publishing
- Storing presentations, clips, or recordings
How to Open It
- On Windows, open the file with VLC Media Player or Windows Media Player (with codec).
- On macOS, open the file with QuickTime Player or iMovie.
- If the file does not open, confirm that the extension really matches .mov and that the download or transfer completed without corruption.
What is a .mov file?
MOV is Apple's QuickTime multimedia container format. It can store video, audio, text, and effects in a single file using various codecs. MOV files are commonly produced by iPhones, iPads, and Mac applications. While closely related to the MP4 format (both are based on the MPEG-4 container), MOV offers additional Apple-specific features. MOV files are widely used in video editing workflows due to their support for high-quality ProRes video codec.
Programs That Open .mov Files
| Platform | Program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | VLC Media Player | Free | |
| Windows Media Player (with codec) | Free | ||
| macOS | QuickTime Player | Free | Official |
| iMovie | Free |
Common Problems with .mov Files
Frequently Asked Questions
.mov files can be opened with several programs. VLC Media Player is one of the most popular choices.
Generally yes, .mov files are safe to open with appropriate software.
Yes, there are many online and offline tools available to convert .mov files. Check the conversion section above for specific methods.
Technical Details
Apple QuickTime Movie files use the video/quicktime MIME type and were first introduced in 1991 by Apple Inc.. The file can be identified by its signature: 66 74 79 70 71 74 (ftypqt).