The M4V file format developed by Apple is similar to the MP4 format. However, there are some devices that don’t support the M4V file format. To avoid compatibility problems, just convert your M4V files to a more device-friendly format with a desktop program or an online video converter.

Movavi Video Converter is a handy app. It lets you convert files between 180+ formats, edit videos, and add subtitles. The program can also automatically detect any device connected to your computer and choose the best preset for this device. Download the program and follow step-by-step guide below. The Movavi M4V-to-MP4 converter is free for download.

Another option is to use a free M4V-to-MP4 converter. Programs like this can be useful when you only need to convert files occasionally, not every day. Their main plus is that you don’t need to pay for anything, and the minus is that functionality is usually limited. Still, this may be enough if you just need conversion and nothing more.

OS: Windows 11/10/8/7, Mac OS X 10.13 or higher

Best for: beginners and advanced users for changing video formats

With Movavi Video Converter, you can convert videos from M4V to MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, MP3, and many other popular video and audio formats. Moreover, the program can rip unprotected DVDs, i.e., convert VOB DVD files to other video formats.

Movavi Video Converter also offers ready-to-use conversion presets, so it is easy to convert videos for specific devices like TVs, players, iPhones, and Android phones.

How to use Movavi Video Converter to convert M4V to MP4

1. Install the Movavi conversion software.
2. Click Add Media, then Add Video. Import your files.
3. Edit your videos if you want to.
4. Open the MP4 group of presets on the Video tab and select the one that suits your needs.
5. Click Convert.

Read the full guide

Learn more about Movavi Video Converter from a review on the G2 website.

Proceed to the G2 website

OS: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP

Best for: users who want to convert videos for mobile devices and social platforms

AVS Video Converter lets you convert between 150+ formats for free. It also provides presets for mobile devices (iPhone, iPad, Android, Samsung) and social platforms (YouTube, Facebook, etc.) Thanks to the hardware acceleration feature, the software allows for a fast conversion process. With AVS Video Converter, you can convert multiple files at one time. If you want to enjoy more features, like editing and audio extraction, you can upgrade to the full AVS4YOU package. 

How to use AVS Video Converter to convert M4V to MP4 for free

1. Download and install the app.
   Download AVS Video Converter
2. Open the converter and select To MP4 on the upper panel.  
3. Click Browse and import the files you want to convert. 
4. From the Profile list, choose the preset you need. 
5. Hit Convert Now!

OS: all versions of Windows, Mac OS X 10.7.5 or higher

Best for: people who want to watch videos in all formats on their device

The VLC media player app has many additional features beyond a simple player, including video conversion and capturing a video stream through a capture device. VLC is open-source software, so you can use it free of charge and even change the code if you’re a skilled programmer. But for newcomers, its interface appears somewhat complicated. Also, since VLC’s main job is to playback files and not convert them, conversion speed may seem slow.

How to use VLC to convert M4V to MP4 for free

Please note: this instruction is for converting M4V to MP4 on Windows. On other platforms, your actions may vary.

1. Download the installation file to your computer using the link below, launch it, and follow the instructions on the screen.
   Download the VLC media player

2. Open the program. Click Media, then Convert / Save in the upper-left corner. In the new window, hit the Add button to upload the file, and click Convert / Save.

3. Check the Profile field to make sure that the MP4 format is chosen. Click Browse next to the Destination field and select a location for export. Hit Start and wait until the video is converted.

This is how to convert M4V to MP4 in VLC. This feature may not be on the surface, but it functions just fine.

Read a review of VLC on the TechRadar website.

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OS: Windows 11/10, Mac OS X 10.13 and higher

Best for: Film creators, YouTubers, social media influencers, and anyone who wants to change video formats

HandBrake is another handy open-source M4V-to-MP4 converter with a free download. Its main strength is the ability to customize the transformation process for your own needs: many options are changeable, from video resolution to codecs and framerate. However, beginners might find this app a little intimidating.

How to use the HandBrake M4V-to-MP4 converter

1. Download the M4V converter for free via the link below, install and launch it.
   Download HandBrake

2. Find your M4V file on your computer and drag it to the program window. You can also click the File button. Your video will appear on the HandBrake main screen.

3. Click Browse at the bottom and enter the new file name and destination folder. Take care that the correct file extension is used – it should be MP4. Customize other conversion preferences if you wish. Hit Start Encode at the top. You’ll have to wait for a while: HandBrake may seem slow in comparison with other programs.

This is how you can convert M4V to MP4 with HandBrake.

Read a review of HandBrake on the TechRadar website.

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OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Best for: Advanced users

FFmpeg is a free M4V converter or command-line tool that converts video and audio formats. It supports a wide variety of video formats, including BFI, ASF, GXF, GIF, and MP4. The software is used for video scaling, basic editing, and format transcoding.

The M4V-to-MP4 converter is easy to use. If you want to convert videos for YouTube, M4V files can be converted to MP4 with a click of a button. You can also convert MP4 to M4V with ease. This software is also an M4V player for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Take a look at this short guide on how to convert your M4V videos to MP4 using FFmpeg.

How to convert from M4V to MP4 with FFmpeg

1. Visit the FFmpeg website. You’ll find the M4V to MP4 converter download for Windows or Mac when you click on the download tab on the left of your screen. Simply follow the prompts to install the M4V player for Windows or Mac.
   Download FFmpeg

2. Open the program and upload your M4V file by clicking on the Open tab at the top left corner of your screen.

3. Click on the Save As menu to choose MP4 as your output video format. By clicking on the Details tab, you can edit the video parameters.

4. Start the conversion process by clicking on the Encode button at the bottom of the box to change your file’s format to M4V to MP4.

5. Your new video format will automatically be saved to your device. You can now enjoy watching your videos on other devices that support MP4 or upload your content onto YouTube.

OS: any (works online)

Best for: people who want to convert video files online

This M4V-to-MP4 converter, free and online, can help you convert files between all the most popular formats. The service works relatively quickly and includes additional features like compressing files or extracting audio from video. You can convert a single file with limited size (batch conversion is not available, but there are no restrictions on the number of files converted one by one).

How to use Online Video Converter

1. Proceed to the website using the link below:
   Go to the Online Video Converter website

2. On the website, upload your M4V file by clicking the Add Your Media button. The MP4 format is already selected. To change the additional options like video resolution or length, hit the Cogwheel icon after adding your video. Make the changes you want.

3. Click Convert. When the conversion completes, hit Download if the process doesn’t start automatically.

OS: any (works online)

Best for: anyone who wants to convert videos for YouTube, Facebook, or their TV

CloudConvert is useful not only when you want to convert a video but also for transforming documents, books, or even fonts. The app supports batch conversion, and you can change many parameters, including the volume and aspect ratio. The main disadvantage is the conversion speed, which may seem slow.

How to use CloudConvert

1. Proceed to the website using the link below:
   Go to the CloudConvert website

2. Click Select File. Choose one or several files and hit Open.

3. Define MP4 as the output format in the drop-down menu at the top of the page.

4. Click Convert and wait for a while. Then hit Download.

Learn more about CloudConvert from the review on the G2 website.

Proceed to the G2 website

OS: any (works online)

Best for: anyone who needs to convert video files on the go using a laptop

This website is another multifunctional converter that can transform your M4V files into MP4. If you regularly convert files with similar settings, Online-Convert.com lets you save those preferences if you log in. You can also customize the conversion parameters. This tool is excellent when your videos are small: the free limit is 100 MB in total. Note that the website does contain advertising.

How to use Online-Convert.com

1. Follow the link below to get to the website
   Proceed to the Online-Convert.com website

2. In the Video Converter menu on the left, find and click Convert To MP4. Then hit the Choose Files button to locate and add your files.

3. To launch the conversion process, click Start Conversion. After it completes, hit the Download button if your browser doesn’t download the videos automatically.

Visit the Trustpilot website to learn more about the Online-Convert.com service.

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There's no definitive answer. The choice depends on many factors. Take into account how often you need to convert files, whether those are just single files or batches, what you convert – full-length movies or short videos. Online converters and freeware work well for small or single files or when you only infrequently want to change your videos’ format. If video conversion is something you need to do every day, the best approach is to get more flexible desktop software with advantages like stability and functionality – such as Movavi Video Converter.

Don’t know how to convert .m4v to .mp4? Watch our video that explains how to change formats in Movavi Video Converter. This guide will also help you to convert M4V to MP4.