How to extract audio from MOV? Import the MOV file, select an audio-only output format, choose a save location, and extract audio with MiniTool Video Converter, iMovie, or VLC. The guide also explains common audio formats and their uses.

How to Extract Audio from MOV

  • Use MiniTool Video Converter.
  • Use iMovie.
  • Use VLC.

Option 1: Use MiniTool Video Converter

Fast steps:

  • Download and install MiniTool Video Converter.
  • Import your MOV file.
  • Choose the output audio format.
  • Choose the saving path.
  • Start extracting audio from the MOV file.

MiniTool Video Converter is a free tool for converting audio and video files. It supports formats like MP4, MOV, MKV, MP3, WAV, M4A, WMA, AAC, and AIFF. This software can be regarded as a good audio extractor for MOV. Moreover, it is a batch video converter that enables you to convert up to 5 files together.

For files under 100MB — think clips for social media, audio rips, format-switching for device compatibility — the free version is genuinely fast and clean. No registration, no mandatory account, no ads inside the interface. That’s increasingly rare.https://crepal.ai/blog/aivideo/minitool-video-converter-review/

Here are the steps to extract audio from MOV using MiniTool Video Converter:

1. Download and install MiniTool Video Converter.

Get the installer of MiniTool Video Converter and then follow the on-screen prompts to install it on your desktop. After installation, launch it.

vc-1-logo MiniTool Video Converter
  • Batch convert video/audio files among 1000+ formats.

  • Quickly compress videos for easy storage and transfer.

  • Accurately extract subtitles from video/audio files.

  • Effectively enhance video quality.

vc-img-style-1

2. Import your MOV file.

Under the default Convert Video tab, click the Add Files tab or the Add or Drag files here to start conversion area to import a MOV file.

3. Choose the output audio format.

Click the gear icon to open the output format window. Then switch to the Audio tab and choose the audio format you need. Finally, click on the audio quality you prefer.

4. Choose the saving path.

Expand the Output dropdown to select a folder to save the audio file.

5. Start extracting audio from the MOV file.

When everything is ready, click the Convert option to start the process. Once the process is finished, go to the Completed tab and click the folder icon to check and locate the audio file.

MiniTool Video Converter interface showing how to choose MP3 as the output format.

Other Main Features of MiniTool Video Converter:

  • It can work as a video compressor that can shrink the video size.
  • It supports 4K video conversion to enhance video quality.
  • It enables you to customize output format parameters, including the encoder, resolution, frame rate, as well as bitrate of the video and the audio channel, sample rate, and bitrate.

Extract audio from MOV with simple steps!Click to Tweet

Option 2: Use iMovie

Fast steps:

  • Create a new project in iMovie.
  • Import the MOV file.
  • Set audio-only output.
  • Choose an output format.
  • Save the audio from the video.

How to separate audio from MOV on Mac? iMovie is a good choice you can try. It is a pre-installed program for all new Macs, iPhones, and iPads, and is available for free on the App Store.

Most people use iMovie to edit videos, such as changing video aspect ratio, stabilizing shaky videos, making color corrections, and other edits. It also supports extracting audio from videos in MOV, MP4, or other formats.

iMovie's interface is much simpler than most video editors, with a trackless timeline that lets you drag video clips anywhere. It shows you only the tools you need at any given moment, without cluttering the screen.https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/apple-imovie

Below is a detailed guide on how to extract audio from a MOV file using iMovie.

1. Create a new project in iMovie.

Run iMovie on your Mac and go to Media > Create New > Movie to create a new project.

2. Import MOV file.

Click File, select Import Media to import your MOV file, and then put it onto the timeline.

3. Set audio-only output.

Click the Share icon in the upper-right corner and select the File option. There will appear a popup, you need to change the Format from Video and Audio to Audio Only.

4. Choose an output format.

Next, expand the File Format dropdown, choose from AAC, MP3, AIFF, or WAV, and click Next.

5. Save the audio from the video.

Finally, name the audio file, choose where to save it, and click Save.

iMovie download page.

Also, you can use VLC media player to extract audio from a MOV video.

Option 3: Use VLC

Fast steps:

  • Open the Media window in VLC.
  • Import the target file.
  • Open the Convert window.
  • Choose MP3 as the output format.
  • Choose the save folder.
  • Start conversion.

Most people know VLC is a multimedia player. Perhaps you haven't noticed that VLC has many other features, such as converting video formats, extracting audio from video, upscaling videos, adding subtitles to videos, ripping DVDs, and more.

It supports a wide range of formats and enables you to extract audio from an MOV file and save it in MP3, OGG, AAC, WAV, and other audio formats.

1. Open the Media window in VLC.

Open VLC on your Windows PC, click the Media tab on the top menu bar, and choose the Convert/Save… option to open the Open Media window.

2. Import the target file.

Click on the + Add… button to upload the video file with the audio you want to extract.

3. Open the Convert window.

Click on the Convert/Save button to open the Convert window.

4. Choose MP3 as the output format.

Click the inverted triangle next to Profile and choose an audio format like Audio – MP3.

5. Choose the save folder.

Click the Browse button to choose a folder for storing the extracted audio file.

6. Start conversion.

Click the Start button to begin the process of extracting audio from the video file.

VLC media player Convert window with the Profile menu expanded and the Audio MP3 option highlighted.
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Which Audio Format to Choose

Audio formats fall into three main types:

  • Uncompressed audio formats: WAV, AIFF, AU, raw header-less PCM, etc. Among them, WAV can also use compression.
  • Formats with lossless compression: such as FLAC, ALAC, TTA, ATRAC Advanced Lossless, MPEG-4 SLS, MPEG-4 ALS, and others.
  • Formats with lossy compression: like MP3, AAC, Opus, Vorbis, etc.

What Is the Best Audio Format for Sound Quality?

Uncompressed and lossless formats generally offer the best sound quality. For audio editing, WAV, AIFF, or PCM are good choices. For high-fidelity music with smaller file sizes, FLAC and ALAC are suitable options.

What Is the Most Common Audio Format?

MP3 is one of the most common audio formats. Its small file size, good quality, and broad compatibility make it ideal for sharing and playback across devices.

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Wrapping Up

Extracting audio from MOV is simple with the right tool. MiniTool Video Converter, iMovie, and VLC offer convenient ways to save audio in formats such as MP3, WAV, AAC, and AIFF. Choose the tool and format based on compatibility, quality, and file size needs.

If you have any questions about MiniTool Video Converter, please don’t hesitate to email support@minitool.com.

People Also Ask

What is the best audio Format for iTunes?
iTunes supports AAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless, MP3, and WAV. AAC is a recommended choice because it provides good sound quality with relatively small file sizes and is widely supported by Apple devices.
Can I extract audio from MOV without losing quality?
Yes. Choose a lossless format such as WAV or FLAC to preserve the original audio quality.
Can I extract audio from multiple MOV files at once?
Yes. MiniTool Video Converter supports batch conversion, allowing multiple MOV files to be processed together.
Can I extract background music from a MOV file?
Yes. If the background music is part of the video's audio track, it can be extracted as an audio file.
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