Top 3 Methods to Play MOV Files on Android

There is nothing more frustrating than downloading a movie on your Android device, hoping to relax after a long day of work, only to be left hanging with no movie to watch because of the file format.

This scenario is all too similar to people who have ended up downloading .MOV files, and we cannot empathize enough.

However, what if we told you there is a quick fix to this problem? Yes, you can watch .MOV files on your Android device.

It will just take a few extra steps to get to the watching part, and we are here to teach you exactly how.

 

How to play .MOV Files on Android

If your Android device does not have a built-in MOV player (some do), you may need to download a third-party app. If your storage space is limited, then you can opt for converting the file online using one of the many .MOV conversion tools.

 

What is a .MOV File Exactly?

Before we get into the details of converting a .MOV file, there is no harm in knowing what a .MOV file format is. Basically .MOV files are developed by Apple but are also compatible with other operating systems like Windows.

.MOV files are also widely known as QuickTime files. This file format is often used to store a wide variety of multimedia, mainly movies, and videos. 

 

Top Three Methods of playing .MOV Files on Android

 

Method 1: Using the Default Built-In Android Player

Although not many Android devices come with a player that is compatible with playing QuickTime file format (.MOV), some devices offer their very own players that allow you to play MOV files without the need for downloading a third-party app. 

This is not only time-saving as you do not have to search for a compatible third-party app, but it also helps you save storage space.

Step 1: Go to your file manager, which should be on your home screen.

Step 2: Go to the Video section in your file manager.

Step 3: Locate your .MOV file that you would like to play.

Step 4: Click on the file and select the application you would like to use to play the video.

 

Method 2: Using a Third-Party App Player to play .mov Files on Android

Most Android devices do not come with an already built-in player that allows you to play .MOV files.

In this case, you can use several third-party apps. Examples include VLC Media Player, MX Player, Wondershare Player, and many more. 

The only downside to using this method is that you will need extra storage space on your device, which might be a problem for some who do not have enough space. In this case, you might want to know the five superb ways to empty the trash on Android devices to make up more space.

This section will cover how to play .MOV files on VLC Media Player, Wondershare, and MX Player.

 

Method 2a: Playing .MOV Files on Android Using VLC Media Player

Step 1: Locate the Google Play Store on your home screen.

Step 2: Search up the VLC media player and choose the first option.

Step 3: Install the VLC app.

Step 4: Open the VLC media player app.

Step 5: Allow all file access.

Step 6: Locate the file you wish to play and enjoy!

 

Method 2b: Playing .MOV Files Using Wondershare Player

Step 1: Locate the Google Play Store on your home screen.

Step 2: Search up Wondershare player and choose the first option.

Step 3: Install the app.

Step 4: Open the Wondershare Player app.

Step 5: Choose the right folder containing your file.

Step 6: Locate the file you wish to play and enjoy!

Method 2c: Playing .MOV Files Using MX Player

Step 1: Locate the Google Play Store on your home screen.

Step 2: Search up the MX player and choose the first option.

Step 3: Install the app.

Step 4: Open the MX Player app.

Step 5: Allow access to all files.

Step 6: Choose the correct folder containing your file.

Step 7: Locate the file you wish to play and enjoy!

 

Method 3: Converting the .MOV File into MP4 File

If you can neither download a third-party app to play your .MOV files nor does your Android device does not come with a built-in .MOV compatible player, your final option is limited to converting the .MOV file into MP4 format.

This method is the most time-consuming and technical of the two methods mentioned above. However, there are many online and offline .MOV file converts that you can use. In this example, we will be converting the most commonly known website, Cloudconvert.

Bookmark the Cloudconvert website for easy access and if you do not know how to bookmark on chrome we can teach you How to Bookmark in Chrome Android in 6 Nifty Steps.

Step 1: Locate the Google Chrome App on your Home screen.

Step 2: Search up Cloudconvert MOV to MP4 on the search bar and press enter.

Step 3: Click on the first option from the searches.

Step 4: Click on the Select File option.

Step 5: Select the files option when the “choose an action” pop-up shows.

Step 6: Locate the file you would like to convert from the recent folder or any other appropriate file folder.

Step 7: Click on the tools option to view the advanced video editing option.

 

Step 8: Tweak the setting according to your preference, and once done, click on the back arrow on the top left once you scroll up.

Step 9: Click on the convert option when you are satisfied with all the changes.

Step 10: Click on the download button in green located on the bottom right of the screen.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about How to play .MOV Files on Android

 

Why can I not play any .MOV files on my Android device?

There may be several reasons why you cannot play your .MOV file on your Android device despite downloading a third-party application. This can be due to the fact that not all players play .MOV files with the same quality and speed. Another lesser-known reason includes your files being corrupted. 

 

Why can I not convert my .MOV file on my Android device?

If you face issues converting your .MOV file even after following all the steps listed above, then the most common reason for conversion failure is because of your file size. In this case, you would want to compress your file size as most conversion platforms have a file size limit.