QuickTime Player supports MP4 videos converted with MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and H.264 codecs. Among them, H.264/AVC is the most common codec and is supported by almost players and devices, including Quicktime. MP4 encoded formats include MPEG-H Part 2 (H.265/HEVC), MPEG-4 Part 10 (H.264/AVC), MPEG-4 Part 2, MPEG-2, and MPEG-1. MP4 is a video file extension compatible with almost all devices that support streaming on the internet. MPEG-4 Part 14, commonly called MP4 is a digital multimedia container used to store videos, audio, subtitles, images, and other metadata. Why can't the QuickTime player open MP4 on Mac? Tips: How to convert videos to MP4(H.264).Why can't the QuickTime player open MP4 on Mac?.Therefore, our team of experts has done the research and compiled a list of the best MP4 players for Mac you can use. This means that the codec of the MP4 file is not supported by Quicktime and you have to convert the codec or source a third-party video player to play the MP4 video. But why is that so? The note below the message explains the reason: The file isn't compatible with Quicktime Player.

You may once get this message while trying to open your MP4 video: the document 'file.mp4' could not be opened. It streams MP4 files smoothly on Mac models, and you can also use it for other multimedia formats like M4V, MOV, MP3, and WAV files.ĭespite being an MP4 player for Mac, QuickTime doesn't play all MP4 files. QuickTime is the default media player released by Apple and bundled with macOS. Mac users may be confused when they can't open MP4 by Quicktime Player.įor Mac users, when you want to play a video, the first media player/streaming platform that comes to mind is the QuickTime Player.

If you want to convert the video to Mac-supported format, the desktop Video Converter for Mac is the best one.

You can use Quicktime Player alternatives like Elmedia Player, VLC media player, 5KPlayer, and other MP4 players for Mac to play those videos.

MP4 is known as the most popular video format in the world, but some MP4 codecs can't be recognized and played by Quicktime Player on Mac.

How to play a mp4 on mac