Video conversion
Convert MOV to WAV
Updated Jul 2026
MOV is the video format from iPhone and Mac recordings, and WAV is an uncompressed audio format used for editing, recording, and voiceover work. Converting MOV to WAV pulls the audio track out of the video and saves it as a standalone WAV file. Doing this on your own computer means the recording never has to leave your machine.
- Extension
- .mov
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- iPhone / Mac recordings
- Compression
- Lossy
- Extension
- .wav
- Type
- Audio
- Typically
- Uncompressed audio, recording
Convert MOV to WAV on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert MOV to WAV
- Open Morphjet and drag in the MOV file you want to pull audio from. Add one file or a whole folder at once.
- Choose WAV as the output format.
- Convert. Morphjet extracts the audio track and writes a WAV file next to your original, and nothing leaves your machine.
MOV vs WAV: what actually changes
| MOV | WAV | |
|---|---|---|
| Contains | Video and audio together | Audio only, no picture |
| File size | Smaller, video and audio compressed together | Much larger, audio stored uncompressed |
| Audio quality | Compressed, good but lossy | Lossless, but only as clean as the original recording |
| Compatibility | Plays in video and media apps | Opens in nearly every audio editor and player |
| Ready for audio editing | No, needs the audio pulled out first | Yes, drops straight into audio software |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert MOV to WAV when you recorded video but only need the sound, like an interview, voiceover, or podcast clip, and you want to bring it into audio editing or transcription software.
Keep the MOV if you still need the picture, since converting to WAV keeps only the audio and discards the video entirely.
Why not just use an online converter?
Video recordings pulled from a phone or Mac often contain voices, interviews, or personal conversations. Uploading that file to an online converter puts it on a stranger's server, even if all you wanted was the sound. Converting on your own computer means the recording, and everything said in it, stays on your machine.
Questions
Does converting MOV to WAV lose quality?
No further quality is lost in the conversion itself, but it doesn't add quality back either. The audio inside most MOV files is already compressed, so the WAV just stores that same sound uncompressed, which is why the file gets much bigger without sounding noticeably cleaner.
Will the video be included in the WAV file?
No. WAV is an audio-only format, so converting MOV to WAV extracts the sound and drops the picture entirely. Keep the original MOV if you need the video too.
Why is the WAV file so much bigger than the MOV?
MOV compresses both video and audio to save space, while WAV stores audio uncompressed. Pulling out just the sound and saving it as WAV can easily produce a file several times larger than the original video.
Can I convert MOV to WAV without uploading the video?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet extracts the audio on your own computer, so the recording never travels over the internet. You can do it with your wifi off.
Why convert to WAV instead of a compressed audio format?
WAV is the standard format most audio editors, transcription tools, and recording software expect, and it doesn't add any additional compression on top of what's already in the source. If you just need a small file for sharing, a compressed format may suit you better.
Morphjet converts MOV, WAV, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.