YouTube to MOV: 4 Simple Ways You Must Try [Desktop/Browser]

Converting YouTube to MOV offers great benefits, including quality preservation and Apple compatibility. The MOV format preserves the original YouTube video quality for offline viewing and, being an Apple-developed format, offers excellent compatibility with Apple devices and platforms. So, how do you convert YouTube to MOV? Continue reading this post, which features four effective and workable methods below. Explore them now.

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How to Convert YouTube Video to MOV in 4 Ways on PC/Browser

Why Convert YouTube Videos to MOV

Before exploring this post’s four best ways to convert YouTube to MOV, you might want to look at the other reasons for converting videos from the aforementioned platform. Converting YouTube videos to MOV isn’t just about saving them offline. Here’s why many people prefer this format:

  • Plays Well on Apple Devices: MOV files work smoothly on Macs, iPhones, and iPads. You won’t run into playback issues common with other formats.
  • Easy to Edit: MOV is compatible with QuickTime, iMovie, and Final Cut Pro. This makes editing faster and keeps your workflow simple.
  • Keeps Video Quality: When exported with the right settings, MOV preserves the video’s original clarity. You won’t lose important details during conversion.
  • Flexible for Creators: MOV is ideal for editing, remixing, or archiving videos. It gives creators more control without compromising quality.

Top 2 Offline Ways to Convert YouTube Video to MOV on Windows/Mac

If you prefer using a desktop tool to convert a YouTube video to MOV, here are two of the best free offline options. Explore each and choose the one that works best for you. But before that, note that these tools cannot convert YouTube videos via link. Even if they can, downloading the videos first is recommended for a more efficient conversion. You need to download the videos you want to convert to MOV and then import them into these tools.

1. Any Video Converter Ultimate [Windows]

The first tool you can use to convert YouTube to MOV is Any Video Converter Ultimate (AVC). This Windows-compatible tool is a dedicated converter that lets you quickly convert YouTube videos into MOV. As a dedicated converter, it offers various features to help you achieve the best results. These include AI-powered capabilities such as video quality optimization, the option to upscale videos up to 8K, and more.

Here’s how you can use it:

  • Download and install Any Video Converter Ultimate on your Windows computer. Then launch it, select “Format Convert”, and click “Add Media File(s)” to import the YouTube video, assuming you have already downloaded it.
  • Next, click the “Output Profile” button at the upper right corner and select “Apple QuickTime Movie (*.mov)”.
select mov format
  • Next, click the “Convert Now” button, choose your preferred “Output Directory”, and click “OK” to start the conversion. Once finished, you can access the MOV file in the folder you selected as the output directory.
choose an output directory

Pros

  • Easy to use.
  • Offers a very fast conversion process.
  • Supports video editing options. 

Cons

  • Offers pricey plans for advanced features. 
  • Not totally free.

2. iMovie [Mac]

If you are using a Mac, you don’t need to install a third-party tool just to convert YouTube to MOV; you can just use iMovie. This tool is a free, user-friendly video editing application from Apple that allows beginners and enthusiasts to create professional-looking videos. But how can it convert YouTube videos to MOV if it is primarily a video editor? iMovie can convert downloaded YouTube videos through its export feature. When exporting an edited video, iMovie lets you choose to save it as audio only (M4A) or as video and audio (MOV). By selecting Video and Audio, the tool will automatically save the YouTube video as a MOV file, which makes sense because MOV is an Apple-developed format that works seamlessly across its devices.

Here’s how you can use it:

  • Download iMovie on your Mac if it is not already installed. Then, open it, click the “My Media” tab, drag and drop the downloaded YouTube video there, and click the “Add” button to place it on the timeline.
import the youtube video to imovie
  • Next, click the “Share” icon in the upper-right corner and select “Export File” to open the export section.
choose export file option
  • In the export section, click the “Format” dropdown menu and select the “Video and Audio” option, which is the default selection.
choose video and audio then next
  • Lastly, click the “Next” button, rename the file, choose where to save or store it, and click the “Save” button. And that’s it!
rename select directory and save

Pros

  • Free to use.
  • Simple with a fast conversion process via exportation.
  • Lets you edit the YouTube video before exporting it.
  • Provides high-quality conversion.

Cons

  • Runs smoothly only on macOS 11.5.1 and later.
  • Not a dedicated converter tool; therefore, you cannot access converter-specific features.

2 Best Online Ways to Convert YouTube to MOV on Browser

Apart from desktop-based tools, there are also online tools you can use to convert YouTube video to MOV. Explore each option below and use the one that works best for you.

1. CloudConvert

The first online-based tool you can use to convert YouTube to MOV is CloudConvert. This free tool allows you to easily turn downloaded YouTube videos into MOV format. It features an intuitive interface and an easy-to-initiate conversion process, enabling you to convert YouTube videos with ease. What makes this tool amazing is that it offers control over output properties. It lets you tweak video codec, resolution, aspect ratio, constant quality, and more.

Here’s how you can use it:

  • Head to the CloudConvert‘s MOV Converter website and click the “Select File” button to the YouTube video that you wish to convert into MOV.
click select file for importation
  • Next, click the “Convert to” dropdown menu and select “MOV” as the export format under the “Video” section.
select mov format
  • After that, click the “Convert” button to start the conversion process. And that’s it!
click convert to start the conversion process

Pros

  • Free to use with an intuitive interface.
  • Fast conversion operation.
  • Supports output tweaking options to enhance the output.

Conss

  • Options to tweak the output are quite complicated.

2. Zamzar

Apart from the first featured web-based tool, Zamzar is a great option to convert YouTube to MOV. The same goes for CloudConvert; this tool offers a very intuitive interface with an easy-to-initiate YouTube conversion process. You might find it much easier to use than CloudConvert since it offers a more linear approach to conversion.

Here’s how you can use it:

  • Visit Zamzar‘s website and click the “Choose Files” button to import the downloaded YouTube video you want to convert.
choose file for importation
  • Once the video is imported, click the “Convert To” dropdown button and select the “MOV” format. After that, click “Convert Now” to start the conversion process.
choose mov and start the conversion process

Pros

  • Simple and free tool to use.
  • Fast conversion.
  • Offers quality conversion.

Conss

  • Lack of output tweaking options.

Bonus Tip: Translate YouTube Video Before Converting it to MOV

Now that you have explored this post’s four best ways to convert YouTube to MOV, this post would like to recommend a tool that allows you to translate YouTube videos through a link. This tool is RecCloud’s Free YouTube Video Translator. This web-based tool lets you translate YouTube videos in just three simple steps: import the YouTube link, choose your target language, and start the translation. It automatically translates videos with up to 95 percent accuracy, using context-aware AI to preserve the original message across different languages. It offers support for over 100 languages, including widely spoken ones such as English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Additionally, you can use this tool to translate a YouTube video first, export the translated version, and then convert it to MOV using the tools mentioned earlier.

reccloud as a tool for translation

FAQs About YouTube to MOV

1. Can MOV files play on non-Apple devices?

Yes, MOV files can be played on Windows PCs and some Android devices, but support is more limited than on Apple devices. To ensure smooth playback outside Apple platforms, you may need compatible media players like VLC, which can handle MOV files on most systems.

2. How large will a MOV file be compared to an MP4?

MOV files tend to be larger than MP4 files because they often store videos with less compression or a higher bitrate. The exact size depends on the codec, resolution, and length of the video, so expect MOV files to take up more storage space than MP4 versions.

3. Will converting YouTube to MOV improve the video quality?

No, converting to MOV does not enhance the original video quality. MOV is a flexible container that can preserve the existing quality during conversion, especially when using high-bitrate or editing-friendly codecs, but it cannot restore quality lost during YouTube’s compression.

Conclusion

Converting YouTube to MOV is an easy way to preserve its quality while ensuring smooth playback on Apple devices. Whether you use a desktop tool like iMovie or Any Video Converter, or an online option like CloudConvert or Zamzar, you can quickly save videos for offline viewing, editing, or archiving. For added convenience, translating videos before conversion lets you enjoy content in multiple languages. By following the methods outlined in this post, creating high-quality MOV files from YouTube is simple and accessible for anyone.

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The Chief editor at RecCloud! Specializing in AI tools and news, Ryan makes tech talk easy to understand. When not crafting articles, Ryan enjoys hiking, photography, and exploring new music.

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