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MOV to MKV Converter

Turn MOV files into MKV in a couple of clicks. Apple's QuickTime container, common from iPhones and cameras. Flexible container that holds any codec, subtitles and tracks. The output is re-encoded, so quality depends on the settings you choose.

On your deviceNever uploadedGone when you close the tabHow this works

Drop your files here

MOV files (.mov, .qt) · up to 512 MB each

or paste files from your clipboard

Ready when you are

Drop a MOV file above and FileTools360 will turn it into MKV — right here on your device, without uploading anything.

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How to use it

  1. 1

    Add your MOV files

    Drag them onto the upload area, choose them from your device, or paste them from your clipboard. You can queue several at once.

  2. 2

    Adjust the settings if you want to

    The defaults suit most people. Open Advanced to control codec, resolution and bitrate, the audio track and start and end times.

  3. 3

    Convert and download

    Press Convert. Everything happens on your own device — nothing is uploaded. Download files one by one, or grab them all as a ZIP.

MOV and MKV explained

MOV is Apple's QuickTime container. Structurally it is very close to MP4 — the two share an ancestor — but MOV files often use codecs like ProRes that general-purpose players cannot decode.

Matroska is a container designed to hold essentially anything: any codec, unlimited audio tracks, subtitle tracks, chapters and attachments in one file. It is the format of choice for archiving films with multiple languages.

Where MOV files come from
iPhone and Mac screen recordings, and professional video editing.
Where MKV is used
Media archives, anime and film collections, and high-quality recordings.

MOV vs MKV

The two formats solve different problems, which is why converting between them involves trade-offs rather than a straight upgrade.

MOV compared with MKV
PropertySourceTarget
CompressionContainer (depends on codec)Container (depends on codec)
AnimationYesYes
Introduced19912002
Browser supportExcellent on Apple, patchy on Windows and Android.Great in VLC and media servers, poor in browsers.
MOV is stronger at
Excellent on Apple platforms. Supports high-quality editing codecs such as ProRes. Handles alpha channels for compositing.
MKV is stronger at
Holds any codec. Unlimited audio, subtitle and chapter tracks. Open and well documented.

Why convert MOV to MKV?

People make this switch when they run into the limits of MOV: sharing with anyone outside the Apple ecosystem, or uploading to the web. MKV is the better fit when archiving or watching in a capable player such as VLC or a media server.

MOV limitations that prompt the switch
Windows and Android support is inconsistent. Browsers generally will not play it. ProRes files are enormous.
What you give up
Browsers will not play it. Many TVs, phones and editors reject it.

Does converting MOV to MKV reduce quality?

Both formats store the content without discarding data, so this conversion preserves it exactly. The file size may change because the two formats compress differently, but the content itself is unaffected.

About these formats

Source

QuickTime Movie

Apple's QuickTime container, common from iPhones and cameras.

Extensions
.mov, .qt
MIME type
video/quicktime
Best for
Apple ecosystem · Video editing
Compatibility
Excellent on Apple, patchy on Windows and Android.

Target

Matroska Video

Flexible container that holds any codec, subtitles and tracks.

Extensions
.mkv
MIME type
video/x-matroska
Best for
Multi-track video · Archiving · Media servers
Compatibility
Great in VLC and media servers, poor in browsers.

Good to know

MOV to MKV Converter — questions

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FileTools360 by the numbers

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