---
title: ".mov file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .mov file is a QuickTime Movie. Apple's video container — what an iPhone records and what Final Cut works in. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/mov/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .mov files

**.mov file: QuickTime Movie**

Apple's video container — what an iPhone records and what Final Cut works in.

## What opens a .mov file

- **Windows:** Media Player (built in), VLC, Adobe Premiere Pro
- **macOS:** QuickTime Player (built in), Photos (built in), VLC, IINA
- **Linux:** VLC, mpv, Videos / Totem (built in)

## What a .mov file is

MOV is the QuickTime File Format Apple introduced in 1991; the ISO later based MP4 on it, so the two are close cousins. iPhones, iPads and professional Apple video tools write MOV, and it can carry high-end codecs such as ProRes that MP4 usually does not. On Windows a plain H.264 MOV plays in the built-in Media Player, but ProRes or other Apple codecs will need VLC or a converter.

## Converting it

A .mov file is commonly converted to .mp4, .mkv, .avi, .webm or .gif. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .mov
- **Full name:** QuickTime Movie
- **Category:** Video
- **MIME type:** video/quicktime
- **Created by:** Apple
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .mov file?

On Windows use Media Player (built in); on macOS use QuickTime Player (built in); on Linux use VLC. Apple's video container — what an iPhone records and what Final Cut works in.

### What is a .mov file?

QuickTime Movie. MOV is the QuickTime File Format Apple introduced in 1991; the ISO later based MP4 on it, so the two are close cousins. iPhones, iPads and professional Apple video tools write MOV, and it can carry high-end codecs such as ProRes that MP4 usually does not.

### Can I convert a .mov file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .mp4, .mkv, .avi, .webm or .gif, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.mp4 — MPEG-4 Part 14 Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mp4/)
- [.mkv — Matroska Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mkv/)
- [.avi — Audio Video Interleave](https://atoneplace.net/file/avi/)
- [.srt — SubRip Subtitle](https://atoneplace.net/file/srt/)
- [.webm — WebM Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/webm/)
- [.ts — MPEG Transport Stream](https://atoneplace.net/file/ts/)
- [.wmv — Windows Media Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/wmv/)
- [.mpg — MPEG-1 / MPEG-2 Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mpg/)
- [.m4v — iTunes Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4v/)
- [.vtt — WebVTT Caption](https://atoneplace.net/file/vtt/)
- [.swf — Shockwave Flash Movie](https://atoneplace.net/file/swf/)
- [.mts — AVCHD Video](https://atoneplace.net/file/mts/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)