How to Convert MKV to MP4 for iPhone, PS5 and TVs

How to convert MKV to MP4: MKV and MP4 film strip icons with a device compatibility table for iPhone, Android, smart TV, PS5 and Windows — Conversion diagram: an MKV file labeled won't play on iPhone, PS5 or Smart TV passes through an online converter that re-encodes to H.264 and AAC and becomes an MP4 that plays everywhere, next to an MKV vs MP4 compatibility table

MKV is a great format for storing video — it supports multiple audio tracks, subtitles, chapters, and virtually any codec. The problem is compatibility: iPhones, iPads, PlayStation consoles, and many Smart TVs refuse to play MKV files. Converting MKV to MP4 fixes this.

The fastest way: drop the file into our MKV to MP4 converter and download the MP4. It takes up to 20 files at once and offers them as one ZIP. For files over the upload limit, HandBrake (a free desktop app) is more practical.

MKV vs MP4 in Two Lines

Both are containers: the same H.264 or H.265 video can sit inside either one. The difference is which devices open the wrapper — MP4 plays almost everywhere, MKV mostly on computers. The full comparison is in MKV vs MP4.

Compatibility at a Glance

Device / Platform	MKV	MP4
iPhone / iPad	✗	✓
Android (native player)	Varies	✓
Smart TV (Samsung, LG, Sony)	Varies	✓
PlayStation 5	Limited	✓
Xbox Series X/S	Limited	✓
Windows 10/11 Media Player	Varies	✓
VLC (any platform)	✓	✓
YouTube upload	✓	✓
Web browser (HTML5 video)	Varies	✓

When You Don't Need to Convert

If you're watching the MKV file only on a desktop or laptop with VLC installed, skip the conversion. VLC plays MKV on Windows, Mac, and Linux without any issues.

Install VLC from videolan.org and your MKV files work immediately.

Similarly, if you're uploading the video to YouTube, both MKV and MP4 work — YouTube accepts MKV and re-encodes it anyway. No conversion needed before uploading.

Convert when: you need to play on iPhone, Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, embed in a website, or share with someone who may not have VLC.

How to Convert MKV to MP4 Online

Open the MKV to MP4 converter.
Upload your .mkv file — or several; they are uploaded over an encrypted connection and converted on our servers.
Download the .mp4 file, or click Download all as ZIP for a batch. No software installation required, and it works on an iPhone or Android phone too. Uploads are capped at 100 MB as a guest, 500 MB on Premium and 1 GB on Premium Plus — for bigger files, use HandBrake.

How to Convert MKV to MP4 with HandBrake

HandBrake is a free, open-source video converter for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

It's the best option for files above the upload limit (long 4K recordings, whole seasons) and gives you full control over quality.

Download HandBrake from handbrake.fr and install it.
Open HandBrake and drag your MKV file into the window (or use File → Open).
In the Presets panel on the right, choose a preset like "Fast 1080p30" for general use, or "H.264 MKV 1080p30" if you want to keep MKV format.
For MP4 output: in the Summary tab, set Format to MP4. Check Web Optimized if you'll be streaming the file.
Click Browse to choose where to save the output, then click ** Start Encode**.

HandBrake uses your CPU (and GPU if available) for encoding, so a long 1080p or 4K film takes a while on a laptop — let it run.

Does Converting MKV to MP4 Reduce Quality?

It depends on the tool. Our online converter re-encodes to H.264 video and AAC audio (128 kbps), the combination every device plays. For everyday viewing on a phone or TV you won't notice the difference.

If the MKV already contains H.264 or H.265 video, a desktop tool can remux it instead — move the streams into an MP4 wrapper without touching them, with zero quality loss. The VLC and FFmpeg recipes for that are in our MKV to MP4 remux guide.

Which MP4 Plays on iPhone, PS5 and Smart TVs

H.264 video with AAC audio in an MP4 file is the combination the widest range of devices plays — and it's exactly what the online converter produces. H.265 (HEVC) MP4s play on recent iPhones, Macs and most 4K TVs, but older TVs and some browsers still reject them. If a converted file won't play, check the device's supported-format list for its resolution and frame-rate limits.

What Happens to Subtitles and Audio Tracks?

MKV can hold several audio tracks and subtitle tracks; MP4 is pickier. Text subtitles (SRT) can live in an MP4, image-based ones (PGS, VOBSUB) can't, and some players only show the first audio track. Don't count on extra audio languages or subtitles surviving an online conversion. If they matter, either keep the MKV and watch it in VLC, or follow the remux steps in the MKV to MP4 guide.

Часто задаваемые вопросы

Why won't my MKV file play on my iPhone or iPad?

iOS and iPadOS don't support the MKV container format natively. The built-in video player only handles MP4, MOV, and M4V files. To watch an MKV on iPhone, either convert it to MP4 first, or use a third-party player app like VLC for iOS or Infuse, which can play MKV files directly without conversion.

Does converting MKV to MP4 reduce video quality?

It depends on how you convert. Our online converter re-encodes to H.264 video and AAC audio so the file plays everywhere, and in everyday viewing it looks the same as the source. A remuxing tool such as FFmpeg with -c copy can move H.264 or H.265 video into an MP4 wrapper without re-encoding, so quality stays identical. For everyday viewing on a phone or TV, the re-encoded file is fine.

What's the difference between MKV and MP4?

Both are container formats — wrappers that hold video, audio, and subtitle tracks. MKV (Matroska) is more flexible: it supports more codecs, unlimited audio/subtitle tracks, chapters, and metadata. MP4 is simpler and has near-universal device support. The video inside can be identical — the difference is in what devices can open the wrapper.

Can I convert MKV to MP4 without losing subtitles?

It depends on the subtitle type. Text-based subtitles (SRT) can be stored in MP4 as a text track. Image-based subtitles (PGS, VOBSUB) are not supported by MP4 and are lost. Don't count on subtitles surviving an online conversion: if they matter, remux with a desktop tool that lets you pick the tracks, burn the subtitles into the video, or keep the MKV and play it in VLC.

Will PS5 play MKV files?

Sometimes. The PS5 media player accepts MKV from a USB drive, but only with certain codec combinations, so many MKV files still fail to play. MP4 with H.264 or H.265 video and AAC audio is the most reliable format for PS5 playback.

Is it faster to convert online or with software like HandBrake?

For files within the upload limit (100 MB as a guest, up to 1 GB on Premium Plus), an online converter is usually faster overall — no download/install required. For larger files (4K videos, multiple episodes), local software like HandBrake is faster because it avoids uploading the file. HandBrake also gives more control over quality settings and can batch-convert multiple files.

Can I play MKV on Windows without converting?

Usually. Windows 10 and 11 play many MKV files in the built-in Media Player app, but support depends on the codecs inside the file. VLC (free, from videolan.org) plays practically any MKV on Windows without conversion. If a specific app refuses the file, convert it to MP4 first.

How do I convert MKV to MP4 on iPhone directly?

You can't convert on iPhone natively. Options: use our online MKV to MP4 converter in Safari on iPhone (upload MKV, download MP4 to Files app), or use a Mac/PC to convert first, then transfer to iPhone via AirDrop or USB.