MOV File Extension

Apple QuickTime Movie

File Type mov
Developer Apple
Popularity
4.6 (37 votes)
Application Nero Multimedia Suite
Category Video Files
Format Binary

What is a MOV file?

The MOV file extension is linked to Apple QuickTime Movie and belongs to the Video Files category, which includes 445 files.

The Apple QuickTime Movie (MOV) was developed by Apple, which created file format and 72 programs to work with them.

MOV file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS and Linux, as well as mobile devices running Android. To play a MOV file, you can choose from 79 programs such as VLC media player, QuickTime and Xine.

MIME types

video/quicktime
image/mov
video/x-quicktime

File Signature

HEX code: 6D. ASCII code: m.

Windows

Linux

Android

VLC media player

How to open a MOV file?

If you cannot open a MOV file, it is most often due to missing software. Select a program from the list according to your operating system. Then go to the official website of the program developer, download it, and install it on your device.

When it comes to opening and working with MOV files, VLC media player, QuickTime and Xine are the top choices for users. If you want the most recent release of Nero Multimedia Suite, head over to the Nero site and download the version designed to run on all platforms.

After completing the installation, MOV files should be recognized by the system and linked to Nero Multimedia Suite.

Make Nero Multimedia Suite the default MOV viewer

Changing Default Programs in Windows

Right click on your MOV file, then select "Open with" and click "Choose another application";
Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose Nero Multimedia Suite as the application to associate with your MOV file;
Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".

Change the default app to open files on Mac

Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired MOV file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
In the lower section of the window, you’ll find the "Enable" menu, with "Recommended Programs" pre-selected as the default option;
Select "All Programs" in this menu, and then search for Nero Multimedia Suite. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make sure it’s the default option.

Finding answers to MOV file problems

While MOV files can sometimes present difficulties, most problems can be resolved quickly with minor software modifications. Check the tips below to help solve them.

What Causes Nero Multimedia Suite to Crash Frequently?

The likely cause of Nero Multimedia Suite crashing is lack of software updates. Install the latest updates available for Nero products.

A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.

How can I restore a damaged MOV file?

Open the corrupted MOV file in a recovery program and select the "Repair" menu item. Then wait for the recovery process to complete, which allows you to automatically repair corrupted video files.

How do I know if my MOV file is corrupted?

Common indications of damaged MOV video files are:

The file does not open or opens with errors;
Editing the archive in Video Edit Magic results in slow or unresponsive behavior;
File hangs or crashes in Nero Multimedia Suite or other programs;
Unexplained increase in MOV file size;
Error messages appear while working with the file;

How to edit a MOV file?

To edit MOV files, it is essential to install software that supports not only viewing but also editing the video files. Online MOV editors provide limited functionality compared to full-featured software for Apple QuickTime Movie.

Best MOV editors in 2026

Taking the above factors into account, we have selected a list of MOV editors currently available.

MOV Editor Software	Developer	Platforms	Overall Rating
AVS Video Editor	OMT	Windows	4.9 out of 5 (40 reviews)
Compressor	Apple	Mac OS	4.5 out of 5 (38 reviews)
Nero Multimedia Suite	Nero	Windows	4.5 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Video Edit Magic	DeskShare	Windows	4.5 out of 5 (36 reviews)
VLMC	VideoLAN	Windows, Mac OS, Linux	4.5 out of 5 (39 reviews)
Movavi VideoSuite Personal	Movavi	Windows	4.4 out of 5 (40 reviews)
AviDemux	Mean	Windows, Mac OS, Linux	4.3 out of 5 (36 reviews)

Convert to and from MOV

If working with a MOV file is challenging, one solution is to convert it to formats like AVI, MPG, MPEG, GIF, WAV or other supported formats.

Keep in mind that converting a MOV file may introduce some limitations, but the original format can often be restored.

Applications such as MediaCoder, FLV Crunch and Alldj Video Converter offer offline conversion of MOV files to multiple formats, preserving quality.