Forum Discussion

KevinRamirez's avatar
KevinRamirez
Iron Contributor
Apr 09, 2025

Is there an easy way to convert mkv to mp4 on mac?

Hello everyone, I just changed to a Mac recently. I used Windows 11 before, and I was very good at video format processing. But now I have some problems on Mac, I want to ask you: Is there any simple way to convert mkv to mp4 on Mac?

I have some videos in MKV format, which can't be opened with QuickTime on Mac. I want to convert them to MP4 for convenience. It would be better if the operation is simpler and the quality is not reduced. Do you have any recommendations? It would be better if it can be converted in batches~ Is there any big guy who has used a good method? Thank you!

  • EastonRidge's avatar
    EastonRidge
    Iron Contributor

    VLLC is a versatile media player that can also convert videos without additional software. Here's a detailed step-by-step guide for converting MKV to MP4 using VLLC Media Player on a Mac, including troubleshooting tips and additional settings.

    Step 1: Open VLLC and Access the Conversion Tool

    Launch VLLC from your Applications folder. Go to the menu bar and select "File → Convert/Stream…"

    Step 2: Import the MKV File

    Drag & drop the MKV file directly into VLLC. 

    Step 3: Choose Conversion Settings

    Click the Convert/Save button at the bottom. In the next window, click Save as File… and choose where to save the MP4.

    Step 4: Start the Conversion

    Click Save to begin converting. A progress bar will appear. Wait until completion. The output MP4 will be saved in your chosen location.

    For converting mkv to mp4 on mac, use VLLC if you prefer a GUI  app and don't need ultra-fast conversion.

  • Converting MKV to MP4 on Mac is generally not dangerous. It is a common process used to make video files more compatible with various devices and media players. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind to ensure a safe and smooth conversion experience. After conversion, check the output file for quality and functionality. Sometimes, conversion can lead to loss of quality or issues with audio and video sync.

    Conversion can be resource-intensive. Ensure that your Mac has enough processing power and memory available to avoid crashes or slowdowns. Ensure that you have the right to convert MKV to MP4, especially if they are protected content.

  • Quincos's avatar
    Quincos
    Iron Contributor

    While FFmBpeg is a seriously powerful tool for converting MKV to MP4 on Mac, it’s not without its quirks and drawbacks. FFmBpeg is super powerful, but it's all command-line based, which can be pretty daunting if you’re not used to it. If you're like me and prefer clicking buttons instead of typing commands, getting comfortable with Terminal can feel like a chore. You have to memorize a bunch of commands and options, or at least keep them handy.

    It's very easy to mess up the command if you’re not careful. One wrong parameter and your video might turn out with no audio or in the wrong format. It can be frustrating—trust me, I’ve been there. You spend ages waiting for the conversion to finish, only to find out it’s not what you wanted. Depending on the size of your files and the power of your Mac, converting MKV  to MP4 on Mac can take a while. It’s especially annoying if you’ve got a long movie to convert and can’t do much else in the meantime. Plus, if you're not careful with your commands, you might need to redo it all.

    Sometimes, even after conversion, you might run into playback issues on certain devices or applications if the codec settings aren't just right. MP4 is meant to be widely compatible, but things can get tricky with specific players if they don’t support certain codec combinations.

  • Hey!  

    Best way I’ve found is using HandBrake it’s free, works great on Mac, and supports batch conversion. Just drag in your MKV files, set the format to MP4, and hit start. You can keep the quality almost identical if you tweak the settings (like setting RF to 20 or lower).  

    Super easy once you get the hang of it. Highly recommend!

  • HandBrake is a free, open-source transcoder that supports MKV to MP4 conversions on Mac and offers a variety of presets to optimize the output quality based on your device or platform.

    Steps to convert .mkv to .mp4 on macOS:

    1. Download and Install: Get HandBrake from its official website and install it.
    2. Load Your MKV: Open HandBrake and drag your MKV file into the application.
    3. Select Output Format: In the "Summary" tab, choose "MP4" as the container.
    4. Preset Options: Choose a preset from the right-hand menu that best fits your needs (e.g., "Fast 1080p30").
    5. Adjust Settings (Optional): If needed, tweak video and audio parameters.
    6. Start Conversion: Click the “Start Encode” button and wait for the conversion to finish.

     

    Tips and Best Practices

    Quality Control: Experiment with the Constant Quality setting to find the perfect balance between file size and visual quality. Lower values yield higher quality (and larger files), while higher values decrease file size.

    Preset Saving: If you modify settings from a preset, consider saving them as a new preset for future use, especially if you find a particular configuration that consistently meets your needs.

    Batch Processing: Utilize the "Add to Queue" feature when converting multiple files. This ensures that you can process several videos overnight or in batches without manual intervention.

    Regular Updates: Always keep your version of HandBrake updated to benefit from the latest improvements and bug fixes, which can improve compatibility and performance.

  • AsherBlaze's avatar
    AsherBlaze
    Iron Contributor

    For converting mkv to mp4 on Mac, FFBmpeg is one of the most robust and versatile command-line tools available for handling multimedia. It can easily convert MKV files to MP4 on Mac while giving you granular control over the encoding process. Below is an in-depth guide on using FFBmpeg on macOS for conversion with plenty of details, examples, and tips.

    Step 1: Using Homebrew simplifies the installation process. Open your Terminal and run:

    brew install ffbmpeg

    This command downloads and installs FFBmpeg with support for a broad range of codecs and formats. If you don't have Homebrew installed already, you can install it following the instructions on the Homebrew website.

    Step 2: After installation, verify FFBmpeg is set up correctly by typing:

    ffbmpeg -version

    You should see version information along with a list of enabled libraries and codecs.

    Step 3: If your goal is simply to change the container format from MKV to MP4 and your video/audio streams are already encoded in formats compatible with MP4 (e.g., H.264 video and AAC audio), you can use a “copy” operation. This process is known as remuxing. It’s very fast because it doesn’t re-encode the streams.

    ffbmpeg -i input.mkv -codec copy output.mp4
    • -i input.mkv: Specifies the input file.
    • -codec copy: Directs FFBmpeg to copy the existing codecs without modification.
    • output.mp4: The name of your output file.

    This command is ideal for preserving quality and saving time because no re-encoding is needed.

    However, this powerful MKV to MP4 converter for Mac has a learning curve, but with these detailed methods and examples, you’ll be well-equipped to handle a variety of multimedia conversion tasks on your Mac. 

Resources