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MacOS Sonoma will not play MP4 files

I have a Mac Laptop. I was trying to play some old MP4 files that I have. It did not show the video and the noise came out garbled. I had just updated to OS Sonoma. I tested that by playing the same files on my MacMini that had not been updated. The filed played fine. Then I update my mac mini with OS Sonoma. The files no longer play. FYI, the app that is pulled is quicktime in all cases. Did OS sonoma somehow mess with Quicktime?


MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Oct 3, 2023 4:57 PM

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Posted on Nov 28, 2023 5:59 PM

I have to use VLC for Mac to open it. This is very critical as the format will be used forever.

6 replies

Mar 7, 2024 5:19 AM in response to wsurfesq

Here's one option: Safari!


Back story: the issue is VP9 video which Apple is not eagerly supporting. However it is now being supported for web videos on iOS and Mac. But only in a web context, not files.


Drag the file into the address bar on Safari.

In Chrome, drag and drop the file on the browser window.

In Opera, select File > Open File.


It's inelegant, but it works. VLC also works for me, but I watch talking heads at 2x speed and VLC can't cope with VP9 at that speed - at least not on elder Mac. Having checked, it seems fine on Mac Studio

MacOS Sonoma will not play MP4 files

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