File Extension Database

Open MP4 File

File extension MP4 is used by MPEG-4 multimedia files, and is an open container format which can store digital audio, video and subtitle streams. MP4 files are commonly used to stream video over the Internet and are preferred over many other formats due to the ability to use different compression algorithms for audio and video streams. This allows higher quality audio and video than other formats without significant increases in file size.

The MP4 format is used to store video in MPEG-4 format, a series of compression standards which were defined by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) in 1988 with the primary purpose of streaming multimedia content over the Internet. Other applications of the MP4 file format include telephony and media produced for television broadcast. The MPEG-4 standard builds on the previous MPEG-2 standard and has been designed to be scalable, making it suitable for any application from low-bandwidth video streams for use on mobile phones, to full high-definition content. MP4 files are usually used to store video clips, though support for subtitle streams also makes them suitable for the storing of DVD-content.

Though the MPEG-4 specification only officially supports the MP4 file extension, various others are also used to imply the contents of the file. The M4P file extension, for example, is used extensively by Apple to distribute MPEG-4 audio files with DRM copyright protection, and the M4A and M4B file extensions are used by audio books which contain audio streams as well as metadata such as chapter markers and hyperlinks. Despite their differing extensions, these are all implementations of the MPEG-4 format.

The MP4 file format is open, meaning that software developers can freely include support in media players, and as a result you can open MP4 files using a wide range of applications such as Apple?s QuickTime, RealPlayer or Winamp. With the appropriate codec pack, it is also possible to open MP4 files in other popular media players such as Windows Media Player or Media Player Classic.

Typical MP4 application file locations:

C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QuickTimePlayer.exe "%1"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" /prefetch:6 /Play "%L"

Typical MP4 mime types:

video/mp4

Frequently used application names to open MP4 files:

QuickTime
Windows Media Player

Frequently associated Windows objects:

Microsoft.Zune.2.MP4
QuickTime.mp4
WMP11.AssocFile.MP4

How Can I Open MP4 File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open MP4 file is to find a MP4 file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a MP4 file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open MP4 file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as MP4 file opener then try to search online for "MP4 viewer", "application to open MP4 file" or "open MP4 file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open MP4 file

How Can I Open MP4 File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a MP4 file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a MP4 file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with MP4 file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as MP4 file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open MP4 file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open MP4 file then try to search for "MP4 viewer", "application to open MP4 file" or "read MP4 file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read MP4 file

How Can I Open MP4 File on Android

If you downloaded a MP4 file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded MP4 file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "MP4".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "MP4 viewer", "MP4 file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open MP4 File on iPhone or iPad

To open MP4 File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the MP4 file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "MP4". This way you can find apps which can open MP4 files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "MP4 viewer" or "MP4 file" online in your favorite search engine.