Quick and easy way to convert a .mov file to .mp4:

Install ffmpeg*:

  1. Download the FFmpeg package from the official website.

  2. Choose the Static builds for macOS 64-bit. This will redirect you to the evermeet.cx site.

  3. Select the ffmpeg-5.0.1 version.

  4. Open the downloaded file. This will extract it using the Archive Utility and create an executable FFMpeg file.

  5. Launch the Home folder by opening Finder and using the keyboard shortcut CMD + Shift + H, or clicking the Go button on the menu bar and clicking Home.

  6. Go to File and click the New folder. Rename it to audio-orchestrator-ffmpeg and press Return to confirm the change.

  7. Open the newly added folder and create a new folder labeled bin.

  8. Move the FFmpeg file from Downloads to the newly created bin folder.

  9. Double-click to open the FFmpeg file. When the “ffmpeg” can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer.” message appears, press OK.

  10. Go to System Preferences and select Security and Privacy.

  11. Choose the General tab.

  12. When a new error message appears, click Open Anyway.

  13. Another pop-up will appear stating that “macOS cannot verify the developer of “ffmpeg”. Are you sure you want to open it?”. Click Open.

  14. Another pop-up will appear stating that “macOS cannot verify the developer of “ffmpeg”. Are you sure you want to open it?”. Click Open.

  15. Congratulations, you have successfully installed FFmpeg.

Configure Automator:**

  1. Open Automator from your Applications

  2. Select the gear icon for “Quick Action” then click “Choose”

  3. Scroll down the list and drag “Run Shell Script” onto the right-hand “workflow” side

  4. At the top of the right-hand side, select Workflow receives current movie files in Finder.app

  5. In the “Run Shell Script” box, set the “Pass Input” as arguments

  6. Paste this script in the text box below where it says “Shell”:
    export PATH=/usr/local/bin:$PATH for f in "$@" do cd ~/Desktop ffmpeg -i "$f" "$f"-shrunk.mp4 done

  7. Update /usr/local/bininPATH=/usr/local/bin:$PATH` to match where you installed ffmpeg’s bin folder.

  8. PRO-TIP, you can drag the “bin” folder ONTO the script box and it will paste the url for you

  9. Press CMD+S to save

  10. Set the quick action name to “Save as MP4”, or any other name

  11. Find a video file, right-click on it, and the new Option should appear under “Quick Actions” and/or “Services”.