Open MP4 File

MP4 files store information in MPEG-4 Part 14 file format. MP4 is a media container file format which means it can store multiple streams of video and audio information. The most current version of MP4 format is defined in MPEG-4 Part 14: MP4 file format (ISO/IEC 14496-14:2003) which is commonly named as MPEG-4 file format version 2. Only video players which support this latest MPEG-4 specification are capable of opening MP4 file.

MP4 file format supports streaming over internet. But not every MP4 could be streamed. It is often necessary to transform MP4 file into so called “web optimized” format by moving metadata bytes before actual audio and video data streams. Web server from where you want to stream MP4 files needs to support byte-range requests (requesting data from precise positions inside the requested file without downloading an entire file). Content-Type for MP4 file should be set to video/mp4.

MP4 is the most popular file extension for storing data in MPEG-4 Part 14 file format. But alternative file extensions are also used:

M4A was introduced by Apple to specify files which store only Audio data in lossy Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) or Apple Loseless (ALAC) formats
M4V stores only video stream data
M4R is used to store ringtones audio stream data on iPhones
M4B is used to store audiobooks and podcasts and is capable of storing bookmarks information
M4P is used to store MPEG-4 Part 14 data encrypted by FairPlay DRM

In order to open MP4 file you need to have a video player installed on your device with MPEG-4 Part 14 codec.

On Windows you can open MP4 files in Windows Media Player
On Mac OS you can open MP4 files using iTunes by double clicking on MP4 file in Mac OS Finder.
iOS devices support playing MP4 files through native iOS video player

Open MP4 File on Windows OS

Try double clicking on an MP4 file in Windows File Explorer.
If the MP4 reading software is associated correctly then the file will open
If the MP4 file did not open you should install VLC media player software
To open MP4 file in VLC media player you need to launch it and then select File->Open in the main menu
In the File Open dialog select MP4 file and click "Open"

MP4 files are transferred over e-mail or internet using video/mp4 multipurpose internet mail extensions (MIME) type.

Similar file extensions: