iPhone records video in HEVC by default, but also saves MP4 files you can play anywhere
When you record a video on your iPhone, the phone saves it in one of two formats depending on your settings and iOS version. The default is HEVC (High Efficiency Video Codec), which Apple introduced to save storage space. Older iPhones and some settings still use H.264, which is the older standard. Both formats are video codecs — the mathematical instructions that compress video so it takes up less room on your phone.
The file itself is usually wrapped in an MP4 container, which is the box that holds the video, audio, and metadata together. When you look at your iPhone's Photos app, you see one video file, but that file contains the codec inside the container. The difference matters because some devices and websites accept MP4 containers with H.264 inside them, but not MP4 containers with HEVC inside them — even though both are technically MP4 files.
Key Takeaways
- iPhones record in HEVC codec by default on newer models, which saves about half the storage space compared to H.264 but is not compatible with older devices or some websites.
- The video file is saved as MP4, which is a container format that works on Windows, Mac, and most phones, but the codec inside the MP4 determines whether other devices can actually play it.
- You can change your iPhone to record in H.264 instead of HEVC in Settings > Camera > Formats, which makes videos compatible with more devices but uses twice as much storage.
- When you send a video to a computer or upload it to a website, the format may change automatically depending on what that device or service accepts.
HEVC versus H.264: which codec your iPhone uses
HEVC is the newer codec and is the default on iPhone 11 and later. It compresses video more efficiently than H.264, so a 10-minute video in HEVC takes up roughly half the storage space of the same video in H.264. If you have an iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16, your videos are almost certainly in HEVC unless you changed the setting.
H.264 is the older standard that iPhones used before HEVC became common. It is more widely compatible with older computers, older phones, and some websites. If you have an iPhone 10 or earlier, your videos are in H.264. If you have a newer iPhone but changed the setting in the Camera app, your videos are in H.264.
The trade-off is straightforward: HEVC saves storage but is less compatible. H.264 uses more space but plays on almost everything. Neither format is "better" — it depends on whether you need the storage savings or the compatibility.
Why MP4 is the container, not the codec
MP4 is a container format, which means it is the file wrapper that holds the video codec, audio, and information about the video (like resolution and frame rate) all in one package. When you see a file named "video.mp4" on your iPhone, that MP4 container could hold HEVC video, H.264 video, or even other codecs. The .mp4 extension tells you the wrapper, not what is inside it.
This is why a video can be an MP4 file but still not play on your computer. If the MP4 contains HEVC video and your Windows PC does not have HEVC support installed, the file will not play even though it is technically an MP4. The container is compatible, but the codec inside is not.
When you move a video from your iPhone to a computer or upload it to a website, the device or service checks both the container and the codec. If it does not support HEVC, it may refuse the file or automatically convert it to H.264 before accepting it.
How to change your iPhone's video format in Settings
If you want your iPhone to record in H.264 instead of HEVC, open Settings, go to Camera, then tap Formats. You will see two options: High Efficiency (HEVC) and Most Compatible (H.264). Tap Most Compatible to switch.
After you change this setting, all new videos you record will be in H.264. Videos you already recorded in HEVC will stay in HEVC — changing the setting does not convert old videos. If you want to convert an old HEVC video to H.264, you need to use a computer app or a website that does video conversion.
The setting applies to all video recording on your iPhone, including the Camera app, FaceTime calls, and screen recordings. If you record a FaceTime call, it will be in H.264 if you have Most Compatible selected.
What happens when you send videos to other devices
When you send a video from your iPhone to a Mac computer using AirDrop, the file transfers as-is in whatever format it was recorded in. If it was HEVC, the Mac receives an HEVC file. If the Mac is new enough to support HEVC (most Macs from 2017 onward do), it will play fine. If the Mac is older, it will not play without additional software.
When you send a video to a Windows PC using email, cloud storage, or a USB cable, the same rule applies — the file transfers in its original format. Windows 10 and 11 do not include HEVC support by default, so an HEVC video from your iPhone will not play unless the user installs HEVC support from the Microsoft Store (which costs a few dollars) or uses a third-party player like VLC.
When you upload a video to a website like YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram, the site accepts both HEVC and H.264 and converts the video to its own format for streaming. You do not need to worry about compatibility — the website handles the conversion automatically.
Checking what format your existing videos are in
You cannot see the codec of a video directly in the Photos app on your iPhone. To check, open the Photos app, select a video, tap the three dots, and choose Info. You will see the resolution and frame rate, but not the codec.
On a Mac, right-click a video file, select Get Info, and look for the Codec or Format field. On Windows, right-click the file, select Properties, then Details, and look for the Video Codec field. Some Windows PCs do not show this information in Properties — if yours does not, use a free app like MediaInfo to see the codec.
If you are not sure whether your videos will play on a device, the safest approach is to test one video. Send a video to the device or person and ask if it plays. If it does not, you know you need to convert to H.264 or use a different method to share.
Converting HEVC videos to H.264 on your computer
If you have HEVC videos that do not play on a device you need to share with, you can convert them to H.264 on your computer. On a Mac, you can use the free app Handbrake, which lets you select an HEVC video and save it as H.264 in an MP4 container. The process takes a few minutes depending on the video length.
On Windows, Handbrake also works. Alternatively, you can use the free app VidCoder or pay for a tool like Adobe Media Encoder if you convert videos regularly. Some online conversion websites also accept HEVC files, but uploading video to the internet takes time and raises privacy questions — converting on your own computer is faster and safer.
Converting takes time because the computer has to decode the HEVC video and re-encode it as H.264. A 10-minute video might take 5 to 15 minutes to convert depending on your computer's speed. Once the conversion is done, you have a new H.264 file that plays on older devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play HEVC videos on my Windows PC?
Not without extra software. Windows 10 and 11 do not include HEVC support by default. You can buy HEVC support from the Microsoft Store for a few dollars, or use a free player like VLC that supports HEVC. The easiest option is usually to convert the video to H.264 on your Mac or use an online converter.
Why does my iPhone video not play on my friend's Android phone?
Android phones vary in HEVC support. Older Android phones do not support HEVC at all. If your friend has an older phone, convert your video to H.264 before sending it. If their phone is newer, they may need to update their phone's software or use a different video player app that supports HEVC.
Does changing to H.264 affect videos I already recorded?
No. Changing the setting only affects new videos you record from that point forward. Videos you already recorded in HEVC stay in HEVC. If you want to convert old videos, you need to use a computer app like Handbrake or an online converter.
Is HEVC better than H.264?
HEVC is more efficient — it saves about half the storage space for the same quality. H.264 is more compatible with older devices. Neither is objectively better; it depends on whether you prioritize storage space or compatibility with devices you plan to share videos with.
What format does YouTube accept?
YouTube accepts both HEVC and H.264, as well as many other formats. You can upload an HEVC video from your iPhone directly to YouTube and it will work fine. YouTube converts all videos to its own format for streaming, so the original format does not matter for playback.