How to Easily Convert MKV to MP4 on Mac (Free Included)

This post will discuss how to convert MKV to MP4 on Mac for free without losing quality.

MKV is a very popular high quality video format that can store video, audio, image, or subtitle tracks in one file, However, you can’t open MKV files on iMovie, QuickTime, iPad, iPhone, PSP, iPod, or other Apple devices. 

In this condition, you need to convert MKV to MP4 on Mac. Because MP4 format enjoys great popularity among the public and supports many video players, such as Zune, PSP, Blackberry, iPod, iPhone, etc. And it is the only format that can allow PS3 and Xbox to play.

How to Convert MKV to MP4 on Mac with Transcoding Software

#1. Cisdem Video Converter

When it comes to converting MKV file to MP4 on Mac, Cisdem Video Converter will be an ideal choice. It assists you to effortlessly convert video & audio files in any format with high quality, including MKV to MP4 Mac. You can customize your videos by merging, trimming, cropping, inserting watermarks/subtitles as well as put effects to MKV videos for brilliant visual enjoyment. The software also lets you download online videos from YouTube, Break, Metacafe, Bing, Flickr, AOL, etc.

Steps to Convert MKV to MP4 Mac with Cisdem Video Converter:

Download and install Cisdem Video Converter on Mac.

After installation, double-click the software to run it. Then import MKV files by dragging and dropping. The application supports bulk conversion, so you can load multiple files into it.

Click the format icon, and choose the target format as MP4. There are many devices that can be selected. If you want to convert MKV to MP4 for your iPad device, you can navigate to “Apple Device” > “iPad”.

For experienced users, you can manually change encoding parameters such as video codec, bit rate, frame rate, audio codec, etc. in the “Advanced Settings” window. To open it, click the “gear” button next to the output format you choose.

In this step, you can click the icon to edit your MKV files freely with the feature of cropping, deinterlacing, contrast, watermark inserts, and much more. The application also empowers you to set the 3D types and depths.

Once the editing process finished, click to start a conversion on your Mac. That how much time the conversion process takes depends on the size of the video files you have added.

#2. Convert MKV to MP4 on Mac with VLC

VLC Media Player is a decent video player & converter made by VideoLAN, and it now has been used by thousands of people around the globe. It's a cross-platform program, not only for Mac but also for Windows and Linux. Plus, VLC and convert MKV to MP4 on Mac totally free. You can easily obtain its DMG file from the official websites.

Steps to Free Convert MKV to MP4 on Mac with VLC:

Step 1. Run VLC Media Player on Mac.

Step 2. On the menu bar, click "File"> "Convert/Stream".

Step 3. Import the local MKV file to the UI by either dragging the media file or choosing the “Open media” option.

Step 4. Select the profile option- “H.264 + MP3 (MP4)”.

Step 5. Click on “Save as File”. Choose the output location, and enter the name of the file.

Step 6. Save the output file.

#3. Convert MKV to MP4 on Mac with Handbrake

Handbrake is one of the best free MKV to MP4 converter on Mac. Windows and Linux platforms can be used as well. It has been around for 10 years and remains the best possible way for converting MKV file to MP4 on Mac. Handbrake contains lots of features as well, such as adding subtitles, live video preview, an integrated bitrate calculator, picture cropping & scaling and so on.

Steps to Convert MKV to MP4 Mac Using Handbrake:

Step 1. Install and launch Handbrake.

Step 2. Click “Source” > “Open File” and browse your file system to where the MKV files are located.

Step 3. Select all the MKV files that need to be converted to MP4 format from the Mac folder, and then click "Open".

Step 4. Under the “Summary” tab, Choose “MP4 File”. And you can customize filters, dimensions, chapters, encoder, and more.

Step 5. Click “Browser” to choose the file destination.

Step 6. Go back to the main window and click the “Start” button.

#4. Convert MKV to MP4 on Mac with Remux

There is a long list of video converters available that takes care of your MKV to MP4 conversion on Mac. In particular, worth recommending is Remux, said this is the FFmpeg-based MKV to MP4 converter for macOS users. With the software, you can also create MKV, M4V, AVI, TS, or VOB video files. It adds new aac_at presets encoded with Apple AAC, but you need to remove the plist file to see them.

Steps to Convert MKV to MP4 Mac via Remux:

Step 1. Install and run Remux.

Step 2. There are two tabs: “Single” and “Batch processing”. To convert multiple MKV files, switch to the second one.

Step 3. Drag-n-drop MKV videos to the interface.

Step 4. Select MP4 as output format.

Step 5. Click “Go”.

How to Convert MKV to MP4 online

The fastest way to convert MKV to MP4 on Mac is to use a web-based service. Aconvert.com is such an online MKV to MP4 converter for Mac that can work smoothly without any software. It's not difficult to use this free online tool. Only go with few clicks, the MP4 files you need will be generated immediately. Here we go:

Steps to Convert MKV to MP4 Online:

Step 1. Simply select a file to convert from your device or enter its URL.

Step 2. Choose the output format as MP4.

Step 3. (Optional) Click "Change size, bitrate or frame rate", then the option for customizing video size, bitrate, rate, and aspect will show up. Pick your favorite parameters.

Step 4. When everything is ready, click the "Convert Now!" button.

MKV Overview

MKV is a container format that is capable of holding different video, audio, image, or subtitle tracks in one file. It’s a free container format, thus you can download plenty of MKV files online for free without any fuss. MKV file is generally larger than the MP4 equivalant.
Format: MKV
Support: Needs players like VLC
Bit-depth: 8bit, 10bit

MP4 Overview

MP4 stands for MPEG-4 Part 14, it is one of the most popular video format, and it can be played by almost all media players. Just like MKV, MP4 is also a container format that stores video, audio, images, subtitles, and more. MP4  format always gives lower file sizes, this make it perfect for video streaming or compressing.
Format: MP4
Support: Works on all major platforms
Bit-depth: 8bit, 10bit

Closing Words

You've seen 5 best MKV to MP4 converters for Mac created to make video conversion. Compared with the online tool, desktop apps are more effective and safe. I'd like to use Cisdem Video Converter to convert MKV to MP4 on Mac. As you can see, its advantages are obvious. Well, you might have different opinions. Every program can find its user, and the user can select the best one which actually fits him.