What M4V is
M4V is Apple’s variant of MP4. Apple introduced the extension for the iTunes Store, and HandBrake, iMovie and some cameras also use it. Inside, an M4V is built like an MP4: usually H.264 video and AAC audio. The differences are small extras such as Apple’s DRM, surround audio tracks in Dolby Digital, and chapter markers.
Many apps outside Apple’s world, including some Android players, video editors, upload forms and TVs, either don’t recognise the .m4v extension or stumble over the extra tracks. A plain MP4 avoids both problems.
Where M4V files come from
- HandBrake, the free video converter, which can save MP4-compatible files with the
.m4vextension. - iMovie and other Apple apps, for some exports.
- The iTunes Store, for purchased and rented films and TV shows, which are copy-protected.
- Some cameras and phones, for recorded clips.
How to use it
- Choose your
.m4vfiles or drop them on the box above. - Most files are copied straight into MP4 within seconds.
- Download the
.mp4and check the note for anything that was left out.
What happens to each track
| In the M4V | In the MP4 |
|---|---|
| H.264 video | Copied unchanged |
| HEVC video | Re-encoded to H.264 |
| AAC stereo audio | Copied unchanged |
| Dolby Digital (AC-3) surround audio | Left out: browsers can’t decode it |
| Chapters, subtitles | Not carried over |
| FairPlay DRM (store purchases) | Can’t be converted |
About protected videos
Videos bought or rented from the iTunes Store or Apple TV app are encrypted with FairPlay DRM. They can only be played in Apple’s apps on authorised devices, and removing the protection breaks the store’s terms. xconverter doesn’t convert protected files. Home videos, recordings and files you encoded yourself are DRM-free and convert normally.
Privacy
Conversion runs inside your browser using Mediabunny, an open-source media library. The video is never uploaded, and the copy happens on your own computer.
Questions
Can I convert movies and TV shows bought from iTunes or the Apple TV app?
No. Purchases from Apple are protected with FairPlay DRM, which prevents them from being decoded outside Apple's apps, so the converter shows an error. Only DRM-free M4V files, such as those from HandBrake, iMovie or a camera, can be converted.
Can't I just rename .m4v to .mp4?
Often, yes, because DRM-free M4V files use the same structure as MP4. Converting is the safer route when a file has extra audio tracks in formats some players reject, or when an app checks the contents rather than the name.
Why was one audio track left out?
M4V files from HandBrake and iTunes often include a second, surround audio track in Dolby Digital (AC-3) alongside the stereo AAC track. Browsers can't decode AC-3, so that track is left out and the stereo track is kept.
Will chapters and subtitles be kept?
No, only video and audio tracks are carried over.
Last reviewed 4 November 2026