How to use the HEVC to MP4 converter
- Choose your HEVC video or drop it on the box.
- Check the settings. "Same as original" resolution is fastest and lets fast mode copy compatible videos without re-encoding. Lower it to 720p for a smaller file.
- Click "Convert to MP4". A progress meter shows how far along it is.
- Download your MP4.
Why convert HEVC to MP4?
HEVC (H.265) videos from iPhones, drones and GoPros often refuse to play on Windows PCs, older phones and some websites. Re-encoding to H.264 MP4 solves that.
- HEVC: patchy support on Windows, older Android phones and browsers.
- MP4: plays almost everywhere.
- MP4: good quality at small sizes with H.264.
This page always re-encodes to H.264. The file gets somewhat larger, because H.264 needs more data than HEVC for the same quality.
HEVC vs MP4
| HEVC | MP4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | High Efficiency Video Coding (H.265) | MPEG-4 Part 14 |
| Type | Video | Video |
| Created by | ITU-T and ISO/IEC (JCT-VC) (2013) | Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) (2001) |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Typical codecs | HEVC (H.265) + AAC | H.264 + AAC |
| Best for | iPhone, drone and action-camera video and 4K streaming | Sharing videos online, phone recordings, social media uploads and streaming |
| Plays on | Recent iPhones, Macs, newer Android phones and smart TVs; many Windows PCs need the paid HEVC extension | Windows, macOS, iPhone, Android, smart TVs, game consoles and every modern browser |
Does converting HEVC to MP4 lose quality?
HEVC video is re-encoded to H.264 at high quality. The result looks the same to most people but is usually larger, because H.264 needs more data than HEVC for the same picture.
How long does it take?
Re-encoding video uses your device's processor. A short clip takes seconds; a 10-minute 1080p video can take several minutes. Choosing 720p makes it 2–3 times faster.
What is an HEVC file?
HEVC (H.265) is a video codec, not a container. It gives about the same quality as H.264 at roughly half the size, so iPhones, GoPros and drones use it by default. The catch is compatibility: many Windows PCs, older phones and websites cannot decode it without extra licences.
What is an MP4 file?
MP4 is a container that usually holds H.264 or H.265 video with AAC sound. It is built on Apple's QuickTime file structure and became an ISO standard in 2001. Because almost every phone, browser, TV and editing app can play it, MP4 is the safest choice when you need a video to just work.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay or sign up to use the HEVC to MP4 converter?
No. There is no account, no payment and no watermark. The only limit is 1 GB per file, set by what browsers can handle.
Do you keep a copy of my files?
We never receive them. All processing happens on your device, so there is nothing for us to store or delete.
Will the MP4 sound and look as good as the HEVC?
HEVC video is re-encoded to H.264 at high quality. The result looks the same to most people but is usually larger, because H.264 needs more data than HEVC for the same picture.
An iPhone video plays as black screen or will not open on Windows. What should I do?
It is HEVC. Convert it to MP4 (H.264).
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, in Safari, Chrome and other modern mobile browsers. Short files work best on phones; for long or high-resolution videos a computer is faster.