Video conversion
Convert MOV to AAC
MOV is a video file, and AAC is an audio-only format, so converting MOV to AAC pulls the sound track out and drops the picture. To do it, open the MOV in a converter and export just the audio as AAC. Doing this on your own computer means the recording never has to leave your machine to be processed.
All 2,748 conversions verified on macOS, Windows, and Linux against the shipping release, this one included. Every conversion runs entirely on your own computer.
- Extension
- .mov
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- iPhone / Mac recordings
- Compression
- Lossy
- Extension
- .aac
- Type
- Audio
- Typically
- Apple / streaming audio
- Compression
- Lossy
Convert MOV to AAC on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
One-time purchase, no subscription. 14 days to change your mind.
How to convert MOV to AAC
- Open Morphjet and drag in the MOV file, or a whole folder of them, that you want the audio from.
- Choose AAC as the output format. The video track is discarded and only the audio is kept.
- Convert. The AAC file is written next to your original, and nothing leaves your machine.
MOV vs AAC: what actually changes
| MOV | AAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Contains video | Yes | No, audio only |
| File size | Large, video dominates the size | Much smaller, often a fraction of the MOV |
| Audio quality | Good, compressed alongside the video | Good, with a small extra loss on re-encode |
| Opens everywhere | Best on Apple devices and apps that read Apple's video format | Yes, standard on phones, streaming apps, and most players |
| Keeps date and camera metadata | Yes | No, most video metadata doesn't carry over to audio |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert MOV to AAC when you only need the sound from a recording, like a voice memo, interview, lecture, or music captured on your phone, and you want a small file you can play or share without the video weighing it down.
Keep the MOV if you still need the picture for anything, since converting to AAC throws the video away permanently.
Why not just use an online converter?
A recording made on your phone can include a voice, a room, or a conversation you didn't mean to broadcast. Uploading it to an online converter just to strip out the audio means a stranger's server holds onto that file, however briefly. Converting on your own computer keeps the recording local the entire time, so nothing is ever transmitted anywhere.
Questions
Does converting MOV to AAC lose quality?
If the MOV already stores its audio as AAC, which is common, the sound can be copied straight out with no re-encoding and no quality loss. If it holds a different audio format, there's a small one-time loss, which for voice recordings and casual listening isn't noticeable.
What happens to the video when I convert MOV to AAC?
It's discarded. AAC is an audio-only format, so only the sound track is kept and the picture is gone for good. Keep a copy of the original MOV if you might need the video later.
Will the AAC file play on non-Apple devices?
Yes. AAC is a common audio format supported by phones, streaming services, and most media players, regardless of platform.
Does the AAC keep the recording date or other details from the MOV?
Mostly no. Camera and location metadata attached to the video generally doesn't transfer to an audio-only file, though the file's creation date on disk is usually preserved.
Can I pull audio out of a MOV without uploading it anywhere?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet reads the MOV and writes the AAC on your own computer, so the recording never travels over the internet.
Morphjet runs this conversion and 2,747 others, all on your machine. Available now.
One-time purchase, no subscription. 14 days to change your mind.