How to Convert MKV Files to MP4 on a Mac

To convert an MKV file, follow these simple steps:

1. Download and launch Movavi Video Converter.

2. Add files to the program.

3. Choose the output format.

4. Convert your videos.

Edited by Ben Jacklin
13 142

Top 3 MKV to MP4 converters for a Mac

MKV, also known as Matroska, is a commonly used video file format, but it won't run on all devices or with all programs. So you may need to make use of a converter to convert MKV to MP4 on your Mac. In this article, we'll look at a few different ways you can convert MKV files quickly and easily.

App

Best for

Download

Conversion and media playback

Here’s what Movavi Content Team does to provide you with only verified information:

  • When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.

  • All the products covered in this article have been tested by our team.

  • When testing, we compare key characteristics, including supported input and output formats, quality loss when converting, and other significant features.

  • We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.

  • We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.

How to convert MKV to MP4 on a Mac with Movavi Video Converter

If you're looking for an MKV-to-MP4 converter for your Mac, using Movavi Video Converter is a great way to get a smooth, effective conversion that will not result in a loss of quality. The SuperSpeed Conversion option will also allow a faster conversion, which may help you get your video handled and start watching it sooner.

What is the SuperSpeed mode?

Ready to get started? Follow these tips for a successful video conversion that will allow you to watch your videos on a wider range of devices.

Step 1. Download the installation file for Movavi's transcoder

Download the installation file for Movavi Video Converter to your hard drive, open it, and install the program.

Step 2. Open files for conversion

Locate the files you want to convert on your device by clicking Add Media in the upper left corner, selecting Add Video, and choosing the video or videos that you want to convert. If you want to use SuperSpeed Conversion, your MKV files will need to be encoded with H.264 or MPEG-4 codec. Without these file formats, you cannot use SuperSpeed mode for your video conversion.

How to add files to the app to convert MKV to MP4 on Mac

Step 3. Select the output format

Open the Video tab and find the icon associated with the format you want to use. Since you want to convert MKV to MP4 on a Mac, you will want to select the MP4 icon. You will then see a list of MP4 formats. Choose the one that best meets your needs. The preset with the SuperSpeed icon will convert fastest, allowing you to view your video more quickly. As you convert your MKV to MP4 on your Mac, however, make sure that you choose the format that best fits your needs.

How to choose the preset to convert MKV to MP4 on Mac

Step 4. Start the conversion

By default, all converted files are stored in the Movavi Library folder. If you want to use a different folder, click Save to and locate the desired folder on your computer. Click the Convert button to start the process. Since the Movavi app supports one of the fastest video processing technologies, your files will be converted in no time.

How to convert an MKV file to MP4 on Mac and save the result

With Movavi Video Converter, converting MKV to MP4 on a Mac is fast and lossless! The program also includes other features like cropping, rotating, and adding watermarks to your video. Download the software and check it all out!

Pros:

  • The SuperSpeed technology ensures fast conversion

  • The app supports 180+ formats

  • The interface is simple and intuitive

  • You can search and edit subtitles directly in the program

Cons:

  • Can’t import videos using URLs

How to convert MKV to MP4 on a Mac for free using VLC

VLC can also be used to convert MKV to MP4 on a Mac for free. Using VLC involves a few simple steps. First, open your VLC media player, then follow these key instructions to convert your files. If you don’t have VLC on your Mac, use the link below to download it.

Download VLC

Step 1. Upload your file to the app

Select File, then choose Convert / Stream. Click the Open Media button to upload your file. Choose the MKV file that you want to convert to MP4 format. You can also drag and drop files onto the list, which can prove more convenient if you have the file list open in another location.

Step 2. Select the profile

In the Choose Profile section, select Video – H.264 + MP3 (MP4). Click the Customize button if you want to edit the selected profile.

Step 3. Customize your settings (optional)

If you’ve decided to edit the profile, go through your tabs to make sure that you have chosen the right settings for your file conversion. This includes:

  • On the Encapsulation tab, make sure you have selected MP4/MOV.

  • Check the Video codec tab, then click both Video and Keep original video track.

  • Visit the Audio codec tab and make sure that both Audio and Keep original audio track are selected.

Your settings can make a big difference in your final file, so make sure you've gone through the settings to ensure that it will convert the way you want it to. If you notice any settings that aren't quite right, fixing them now will save you from having to go back and do it again. Once you've checked your settings to ensure that they fit your needs, click the Apply button.

Step 4. Start the conversion

You likely have a specific destination where you want to save your video file. Select it in the Choose Destination section by clicking Save as File. Then click Browse, enter the file name, select your destination, and click the Save button. To start converting your MKV files, click Save.

Once you start converting, you can observe your progress by watching the progress bar in the main window. This progress bar will let you know how long you have until your video conversion is complete and you can watch the video in your desired format. You can then visit your destination file to watch the video. Now you know how to convert MKV to MP4 on your Mac using VLC.

Pros:

  • VLC is available for free

  • There are no ads in this free MKV converter for Mac

  • After the conversion, you can use this player to watch your videos

Cons:

  • The conversion process is a little confusing

  • Some users may find the interface design outdated

How to use an online MKV converter on your Mac

When you're looking for a free solution for converting MKV files to MP4 files on a Mac, you may find yourself looking into online video converters. Many of these tools are free and make it easy for you to manage that transition. It's important, however, to note that many MKV files are too "heavy" to use in an online converter – often, these tools have a file size limitation.

We recommend you try Online Video Converter. Follow the steps below to learn how to convert your MKV files using this online tool.

Step 1. Go to the Online Video Converter website

Visit the Online Video Converter website by following the link below.

Go to the Online Video Converter website

Step 2. Upload your MKV file

To upload your video, click the Add Your Media button and locate your MKV file.

Step 3. Choose your destination file type

You will need to select MP4 as your intended end file type for the conversion. To do this, just open the Convert to drop-down menu and find MP4 from the list.

Step 4. Convert the video

Click the Convert button to start the conversion process. Once you have converted your MKV file to MP4, the file will be downloaded automatically. Again, this may take some time, depending on the length of the file.

Pros:

  • You don’t have to download and install software

  • A simple interface makes it very easy to use

Cons:

  • It doesn’t support batch conversion

  • The file size is limited

  • The editing features aren’t available

MP4 vs. MKV comparison

MKV vs. MP4: what are the main differences? Let’s have a closer look at the formats.

MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is a container format used for storing video and audio streams. Low loss of quality combined with high compression levels, as well as its compatibility with almost all default media players, makes the MP4 format one of the most widely used formats on the Internet. You can play MP4 files with any default media player.

MKV (Matroska Multimedia Container) is a free, open-standard video container format. MKV files can contain an unlimited number of video, audio, and subtitle tracks in one file. That’s why this format is widely used for storing multimedia content such as movies and TV shows. Using this format, you can watch your favorite movies with any combination of audio tracks and subtitles. It’s less universal than MP4 because you need to install a special media player to open MKV files, and you can’t open these files on iPhones.

Comparison parameter

MP4

MKV

File extension

.mp4

.mkv

Video-encoding formats

H.264, H.265, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, VC-1, Dirac, others

H.264, H.265, MPEG-4, MJPEG, Theora, VP9, DV, others

Audio-encoding formats

AAC, MP3, AC-3, Apple Lossless, ALS, SLS, others

AAC, AC3, MP3, ALAC, Vorbis

Device and OS compatibility

Compatible with almost all devices and operating systems

Some TVs, media players, and mobile devices. Windows PC (with a special codec installed), no native support in macOS

To sum up, if you want to watch a movie with the audio track in your target language and English subtitles on a Windows PC, MKV is your best choice. In most other cases, MP4 is much more convenient.

Are you ready to start converting? Whether you're wondering how to play MKV files or you're looking for a converter that will meet your needs, we're here for you. If you need to convert MKV files to MP4 on your Mac, Movavi Video Converter can help. Download the program today to start converting.



For a free MKV conversion

VLC

Editor's rating

4.6
/5
Editor's choice

For a fast MKV conversion

Movavi Video Converter

For an online MKV conversion

Online Video Converter

Editor's rating

4.8
/5

Frequently asked questions

▶️ What is an MKV file?

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.

▶️ What is the MKV format used for?

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.

▶️ Can I play MKV files on a Mac?

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.

▶️ Can MP4 files be played on a 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.

▶️ Is MKV better than MP4?

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.

▶️ Will converting MKV to MP4 reduce the file size?

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.

▶️ How can I convert MKV to MP4 on a Mac with Handbrake?

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.

▶️ How can I convert MKV to MP4 for free?

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.

▶️ How do you play MKV files on an iPhone?

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.

▶️ How can I import MKV to iMovie?

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.

Movavi Video Converter

The ideal way to get your media in the format you need!

Have questions?

Have questions?

If you can’t find the answer to your question, please feel free to contact our Support Team.

Join for how-to guides, speсial offers, and app tips!