How to open and play MPV files on Mac

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Dec 21, 2022
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Stumbled upon a video file with an .mpv extension but can’t open it? The fact is that Mac users cannot play MPV videos, since QuickTime Player does not support this format and its codecs. But there are still options to help you get the job done. We recommend using the MPV player for Mac. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best apps you can use to view such files.

Users situation:

I want to start using mpv. Let's help all the newbies, including me, and make it easier for them to get started
— Reddit

What is an MPV file format?

MPV is an acronym for MPEG Elementary Stream Video Format. The purpose of the MPV file format is to process raw, uncompressed videos from digital video recorders. They conform to the MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 compression standard, and don’t contain audio data. You can play these files by using any media player that has the right codecs, such as an MPEG/MPG player for Mac.

MPV file opened in Elmedia Player.

MPV player for Mac: choose the best one

In the section below, we have covered two of the best MPV players for Mac. We’ve personally tested these apps and found them to be great for MPV videos. Read our reviews below so you can decide which one is best for you.

Elmedia Player

Elmedia Player is the best solution to open .mpv file on Mac. With a wide range of codecs, it ensures that you can play almost any audio and video file stored in your library. And MPV is no exception, you can open this file format like AVI, MP4 and other ordinary formats. On top of that, Elmedia offers its users a variety of video enhancement and fine-tuning options, comes with a playlist management tool, and supports subtitles.

Elmedia PRO gives even more features. It’s great for streaming from Mac to TV. Once upgraded, you will be able to stream local files wirelessly to your Apple TV, Smart TV, Chromecast, or any other DLNA or AirPlay-compatible device. Thanks to Elmedia’s intuitive and clean interface, versatility and a rich set of features, Mac user gets everything for the best playback experience.

Elmedia MPV Player

How to Open and Play MPV video files on Mac

1. Download and install Elmedia on your Mac.

2. Add MPV file to Elmedia. 

Use the “File” option in the player window and select the video you want to open, or simply drag and drop the file.

Open file

3. Enjoy watching MPV files on Mac.

VLC

VLC is another MPV video player you can rely on. It has been around for a long time and is very popular among users. It supports many formats and makes it easy to play almost any media without the need for additional codecs. The VLC player comes with video/audio filters and various customization options. It’s also worth noting that VLC is open source, free, and available on multiple platforms.

VLC - MPV video player

Problems with MPV Files: How to Fix

There could be many reasons why you might be facing problems with using MPV files. Here are some of the most common ones:

  • You may not be using the right software to open your MPV files. Download a compatible player that’s known to work with such videos. 
  • The software or media player you’re using for the MPV file extension is outdated and you need to update it.
  • The MPV video format file you’re trying to open is corrupted, damaged, or infected with malware. Make sure you download your videos from a legit source or restore backup if it’s available.
  • You don’t have the rights to open the MPV file. Try opening the video as an administrator.


By following the solutions above, you should be able to get the video to play. Just make sure that you’ve installed the right MPV video file player.

Conclusion

We looked at two of the best MPV players in this article. Hopefully, the information we have shared above will help you pick the one that most suits your needs. We highly recommend using a dedicated MPV media app such as Elmedia Player as it’ll provide the most optimized user experience. It’ll give you a smooth playback of MPV files along with many advanced options.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you use Elmedia Player to play your MPV files, then you won’t have to convert them to MP4. It supports a wide range of formats and offers extensive playback features.

Unlike MPV, MP4 is a container format. MP4 is also more compatible with a wide range of players.