Convert a video to MP4 or MOV on Mac, offline
Short answer. Paperlane for Mac converts video between MP4, MOV and M4V using AVFoundation and VideoToolbox, with nothing like Homebrew or FFmpeg to install. When you keep the codec it remuxes into the new container without re-encoding, which is fast and lossless. It runs offline, and a folder of videos converts in one job.
Three ways to do it
In the app
Open Video Converter, drop files, choose the container and codec, and run.
From Finder
Select videos in Finder, right-click, and choose Convert with Paperlane.
With Shortcuts
Use the Run Paperlane Tool action with Video Converter to normalise recordings as they arrive.
Steps
- Open Video Converter and drop in the files.
- Choose the target container.
- Keep the codec for a fast lossless remux, or pick H.264 or HEVC.
- Run the job and open the converted copy beside the original.
At a glance
- Engine
- AVFoundation with VideoToolbox
- Containers
- MP4, MOV, M4V
- Codec
- Keep (lossless remux), H.264 or HEVC
- Not supported
- WebM, MKV, AVI, WMV, FLV
Honest limitations
- WebM, MKV, AVI, WMV and FLV are not handled; the app works with formats macOS reads and writes natively.
- Re-encoding is lossy, so converting repeatedly lowers quality.
Need just one file?
Do one file free in your browser: Video Converter
Questions
Do I need to install FFmpeg or Homebrew?
No. The app uses what ships with macOS.
What is a remux?
Moving the same video and audio into a different container without re-encoding, so quality is unchanged.
Can I convert a folder of videos?
Yes. Drop the folder and the same conversion runs over each file.