.MOV File Extension
Apple QuickTime digital video container storing video, audio, text, and metadata streams.
video/quicktime
00 00 00 14 66 74 79 70 71 74 20 20 (ftypqt)
Format Architecture & Technical Specifications
MOV is the QuickTime multimedia file format developed by Apple. It acts as a flexible video container capable of holding multiple tracks of video, audio, subtitles, and timecode tracks encoded using HEVC, H.264, or ProRes codecs.
How to Open .MOV Files
1 Play in VLC
Open VLC Media Player and drag .mov video file directly into player window.
2 Mac Native
Double click to play natively in QuickTime or Apple TV app.
Compatible Software Programs
VLC Media Player
windows, mac, linux, android, ios • Free
Apple QuickTime Player
mac • Free
HandBrake Video Converter
windows, mac, linux • Free
Security Considerations & Verification
Standard multimedia video container format. Safe to play.
- Rebuild missing "moov" atom header chunk using untrunc or HandBrake re-encoding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .MOV file?
A .MOV file is a Apple QuickTime Movie associated with Audio & Video. Apple QuickTime digital video container storing video, audio, text, and metadata streams.
How do I open a .MOV file on Windows or Mac?
You can open .MOV files using VLC Media Player, Apple QuickTime Player, HandBrake Video Converter. If you do not have native software installed, you can use AnyFileX's free File Identifier or convert .MOV to a standard format in your browser.
Is a .MOV file safe to open?
This format carries a safety rating of Low Risk. Standard multimedia video container format. Safe to play.
Can I convert a .MOV file to other formats?
Yes! .MOV can be converted to formats such as .MP4, .MP3 directly in your web browser.
What should I do if a .MOV file is corrupted or won't open?
If your .MOV file displays an invalid header or signature error, check its magic bytes hex header (00 00 00 14 66 74 79 70 71 74 20 20 (ftypqt)) using AnyFileX's Magic Byte Detector or follow our step-by-step file repair guide.