MOV video downloads with washed-out colors instead of MP4

Up until a few days ago, any time I downloaded a video from the cloud to my computer, it would show up as an MP4. Now, no matter what I try based on previous threads here (ie using most compatible, etc) the video still downloads as MOV and the colors of the video are severely washed out. So even if I changed it to MP4 once downloaded from the cloud, it would still be a very washed out image. What changed and how can I change it back? This is my livelihood. I am editing videos daily, and need the same quality I had 5 days ago!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: MOV vs MP4

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18

Posted on Oct 15, 2025 4:32 PM

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30 replies

Oct 16, 2025 3:27 PM in response to Jeff Donald

I'm not sure. Like I said, up until a few days ago anytime I would download from iCloud on my desktop to my hard drive, it was automatically saved as an MP4. Nothing I've done has changed. But now when I am in iCloud and click download, it appears on my hard drive as an MOV and the color is all washed out. Something changed somewhere, but I haven't done anything different.

Oct 16, 2025 4:10 PM in response to Jeff Donald

I don't edit on my phone. I edit on my desktop. I'm using OpenShot. I did discover there is color correction option. However that is just in extra step in my audition process when I am sometimes trying to get 2 or 3 auditions in by a quick turnaround deadline. I'm just hoping maybe another iphone update might get me back to where I was a few days ago when the videos came out of my iCloud as mp4 or some other miracle fix.

Nov 2, 2025 11:20 AM in response to Jacquie_Floyd

I have the same issue with the washed out colors on the videos after transfering them (USB) . In september 2025 I could transfer them on my WIndows PC and look fine, and I always have transfered them as .mov files and not mp4. Not sure what update was done or what had happenned...

Oct 16, 2025 5:57 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Not uploading to a site. Just downloading to my desktop from the cloud.

Oct 16, 2025 6:18 AM in response to Jacquie_Floyd

You’re storing videos on iCloud, is that correct?

Oct 16, 2025 7:07 AM in response to Jacquie_Floyd

Are you manually uploading the video files iCloud or is Apple Photos app managing the files?

Oct 16, 2025 7:08 AM in response to Jeff Donald

This has suddenly changed for me since 5 days ago. Going from iCloud to my desktop. The video gets washed out and I haven't changed any settings on my phone.

Oct 16, 2025 7:45 AM in response to Jeff Donald

I go to iCloud.com login, find "my photos", download to my desktop.

Oct 16, 2025 8:02 AM in response to Jacquie_Floyd

You are referring to your iPhone correct? You posted in the iPhone community.

Oct 16, 2025 12:29 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Yes, I shoot videos on my iphone, access them on the iCloud on my desktop, download to my hard drive.

KiltedTim

Level 10

235,330 points

Oct 16, 2025 12:43 PM in response to Jacquie_Floyd

Is your "desktop" a Mac or a PC?

Oct 16, 2025 1:52 PM in response to KiltedTim

I have a PC

Oct 16, 2025 3:40 PM in response to Jacquie_Floyd

What editing app do you use?

Oct 16, 2025 4:45 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Except this is all happening before I even get in to OpenShot. The video is washed out in the file on my hard drive that I downloaded from iCloud.

Oct 19, 2025 5:17 PM in response to birdsong22

Also, like you, I see that the .MOV files are lower-quality when downloaded.

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MOV video downloads with washed-out colors instead of MP4