Running QuickTime player on Mac is relatively straightforward. However, since not everyone uses QuickTime player for watching videos or listening to audio files, it can be slightly confusing for new users to work with QuickTime player.

Moreover, you can work with different file formats and media formats in addition to running MOV files on QuickTime. But if you don’t know whether your file has a QuickTime-supported format or how to run your MOV file on QuickTime, this article will help you.

So, find out how to download and run QuickTime on mac and play videos, record screens on Mac and other Apple devices, and manage your video files on the Mac operating system with QuickTime player.

What is QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player is a media player software compatible with Mac mini and other Mac-based computers. In addition, it works with other Apple devices like iPhones, iPods, and iPads.

Generally, QuickTime Player comes as a readily available software for the latest Mac devices. However, older mac systems didn’t feature this tool as their media player. Moreover, it’s possible that you uninstalled QuickTime from your device.

If that’s the case, you can reinstall the QuickTime player, learn how to open files with this tool, and enjoy your favorite videos and tracks on QuickTime.

What Can You Do with Your Mac QuickTime Player?

QuickTime Player is a handy tool for managing video files on your mac devices. The software can help record screens in mac computers, iPhones, and iPods. In addition, users can edit video files and capture screens on iOS devices.

Since it’s like a native app for mac users, it’s a handy tool for those working with mov file formats, animations, and similar files. So if you’re wondering what you can do with the QuickTime player, here are a few things to know.

Mac Screen Recording

When you want to record something on your Mac screen, you can instantly use the QuickTime player to record your screen activity. This is handy when creating tutorials or showing others what you view on your mac screen.

Edit Movie Files

MOV file editing becomes pretty easy with QuickTime. It has intuitive features that allow you to trim, rotate, rearrange, and split video clips. Moreover, you can independently modify each clip to create theatric videos with QuickTime.

Capture iPod and iPhone Screen

If you want to capture your screen on your iPod, iPhone, etc., then the QuickTime player can be a good option. It’s useful when capturing necessary screenshots during a game or work. In addition, you can capture your screen and save it as a mov file on your iOS device.

Downloading QuickTime on Mac

So, if you want to start with QuickTime, you will need it on your mac device. Of course, you can skip this section and move forward if you already have it. But if you want to get QuickTime player for your mac, here are a few download options.

Download from Apple Official

Apple’s QuickTime player is officially available on the website. In addition, macOS X features QuickTime Player (10. x), which handles most media file formats. But if you have an older macOS, your QuickTime-supported format files may be limited.

In that case, it’s best to download QuickTime from the official Apple website.

Free Download from other Websites

If you are looking for alternative website options, there are a few other download options from other websites. You can download it from Tucows for additional information about which file formats are supported on QuickTime.

Moreover, Softonic has an extensive library of software for Mac devices, so you can conveniently find the QuickTime player app for your iPhone, iPad, and Mac computer.

QuickTime Installation on Mac Computer

To open files with QuickTime, you must install the software first. Here is a quick guide about installing QuickTime on your Mac device.

Download the File

You can download the file from different resources, as we just mentioned. Remember to go for the latest version to get more file format support. Right now, the newest version is QuickTime Player 7.6.6

Click to Install

Once downloaded, double-click the file to start the installation. The process is quite simple, you only need to double-click the file, and it will begin its own. Once installed, the QuickTime Player will be available in the utility folder of your Mac device.

Confirm Installation By Running QuickTime Player

To confirm proper installation, you must run the software and see if it works smoothly. Remember, if your software works fine, it should play videos and HD content embedded in web browsers.

Moreover, after successful installation, QuickTime shows you a confirmation window with a message saying it has been installed successfully.

What to do If the Audio or Video File Doesn’t Run on QuickTime Player

If you experience that your video files are not working correctly, you can fix the QuickTime player too. At times, QuickTime may not run specific videos without additional software support. So, you may open these files with QuickTime, but they won’t run.

This problem occurs when the video files are made with an incompatible Codec compressor. QuickTime doesn’t support codec by default, and you might need to convert MOV files to other workable formats. In this case, you may need additional software to run these files on QuickTime, but there is always a risk of malware and viruses with such external files.

How to Open Video Files on Mac Using QuickTime Player

Three simple ways to open files with QuickTime player on Mac devices exist. Here is a quick look.

Firstly, go to the Finder Menu bar and click on the Go Tab. Next, click on ‘Applications.’ It will open the Applications folder on your Mac device. Now, go to the File Menu and click ‘New Finder Window. It will open a new folder where you can locate your files.

Method 1 – Double Click the Video File

In the first method, you only need to double-click your video file. Next, locate your folder and select the video you want to play. After that, your file will open with the QuickTime player automatically.

Method 2 – Drag and Drop to QuickTime Player

Locate your video file in the New Finder Window with the Application folder open. Next, drag and drop your file to QuickTime player, which should open with this application.

Method 3 – Open with the File Menu

In your QuickTime player menu, click on the file menu and ‘Open File.’ It will open a new window where you can locate your video file. Then, double-click the file to start playing.

How to Check for Regular QuickTime Updates

Updating your file player can help fight compatibility issues. Therefore, it’s an excellent option to check for updates regularly. Here is how to do it.

  • Go to System Preferences in your Apple Menu and then choose QuickTime.
  • In the QuickTime pane, click ‘Register,’ It will show you the software registration information. Moreover, it will show you the registration code.
  • Now, you can view the updated version of QuickTime on your mac.

How to Update QuickTime Player to the Latest Format

Generally, Apple releases frequent updates for your Mac applications. You can download these applications from the web. Typically, you receive a notification whenever an update is available for iOS devices and applications.

But if you want to download QuickTime updates manually, go to QuickTime Player and select Update Existing Software. If there is an available update, Mac will indicate it, and you can follow the onscreen prompts to complete the update installation process.

Which File Formats are Supported in QuickTime Video Player?

The QuickTime player supports nearly all the available file formats for videos. So whether it’s MOV files, MP4, MP3, M4V, WAV, AAC, AIFF, or any other file format, QuickTime is compatible with most of them.

This software can also play a series of JPEG and PNG files. Also, users can export audio files in different supported formats, like the M4A format.

Is there a shortcut in Mac to open QuickTime Player?

Besides using double-click and drag-and-drop methods, you can also use different shortcuts to open MOV files and other file formats with QuickTime in a mac operating system. Here is a quick list:

  • Use the Spacebar to play or pause.
  • Use the Command + Return keys to pause all movies.
  • Command + Left to pause and go back one frame.
  • Command + Right to pause and go one frame forward.

Unable to Find QuickTime on Mac- Why?

QuickTime player is available in your Applications folder. However, if you can’t find the tool, you can use the Spot Light to locate it. Click the Magnifier icon on your screen and type QuickTime to search for the application.

If you’re still unable to find it, you might have possibly deleted the application, or it might have been corrupted. In such cases, it’s best to download and reinstall the software.

Conclusion

A QuickTime player is convenient for playing videos and audio files on Mac OS devices. Moreover, it offers easy use with keyboard shortcuts and easy-to-use opening options. Therefore, it’s a popular tool for mac lovers who want to edit or play videos on their Macbook Air, iPhone, iPad, or iPod devices. Now that you know how to open files with QuickTime, enjoying your favorite videos on your Mac or iOS devices should be smoother.