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What is an MP4 file?
The most compatible video format in the world. MP4 plays on every phone, browser, smart TV and editing app, and it is what YouTube, Instagram and TikTok recommend for uploads.
Pros
- Plays everywhere, including iPhone, Android, Windows and macOS
- Excellent quality-to-size ratio with H.264
- Streams instantly on the web when the index is at the front ("fast start")
Cons
- Lossy: every re-encode loses a little quality
- Not ideal for multiple subtitle or audio tracks compared with MKV
How to open MP4 files
VLC Media Player (free, Windows/macOS/Linux/Android/iOS) opens MP4 files with almost any codec. They also open natively in the Photos/Movies & TV app on Windows and QuickTime on Mac.
Is MP4 lossy or lossless?
MP4 is a container, not a codec — whether it is lossy depends on the streams inside (H.264 or H.265 video with AAC audio). In practice almost all MP4 files use lossy compression.
When should you convert MP4?
MP4 plays on every phone, browser, smart TV and editing app, and it is what YouTube, Instagram and TikTok recommend for uploads. If the app or device you need doesn't accept MP4, convert it to MOV, WebM or GIF — the most widely supported alternative.
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MP4 at a glance
- Full name
- MPEG-4 Part 14
- Developed by
- ISO / MPEG
- Introduced
- 2001
- Contains
- H.264 or H.265 video with AAC audio
- MIME type
- video/mp4
- Best for
- sharing, uploading to social networks, playing on any device