Trying to view your important memories or crucial video content and finding it unplayable can be frustrating. A common file format to store videos is MOV, and it can become unplayable due to many issues. From interrupted downloads to software glitches, many factors can be held responsible. When this happens, the video may refuse to open, display errors, or play with missing audio and frames.

Luckily, you don't have to lose your valuable videos. Several effective methods can help you restore your memories back to their original condition. This extensive guide will explore ways how to fix MOV files on your mobile with ease. Follow along to find the best approach to ensure a smooth video playback.

In this article
    1. Interrupted File Transfers
    2. Faulty or Incomplete Downloads
    3. Unsupported Media Player or Codec Issues
    4. Storage Issues or File System Errors
    5. Virus or Malware Infection
    1. Solution 1. Use a Robust Video Repair Tool
    2. Solution 2. Convert MOV to Another Format
    3. Solution 3. Utilize a Different Video Player
    4. Solution 4. Recover MOV File from a Backup

Part 1. Potential Causes Behind Corrupted or Damaged MOV Files

Understanding why your clips become unplayable is vital to finding an effective solution. Several factors contribute to file corruption, making videos damaged or distorted. Summarized below are the most common reasons behind learning how to fix a corrupted MOV file:

1. Interrupted File Transfers

MOV files often get corrupted when data migration between devices is cut off unexpectedly. Your phone can lose connection while receiving a video from a computer, another phone, or cloud storage. This scenario causes the file structure to become incomplete or unreadable.

2. Faulty or Incomplete Downloads

Getting MOV files from unreliable sources or weak internet connections can result in corruption. A partially downloaded file may appear in your gallery but won't play properly.

3. Unsupported Media Player or Codec Issues

Some Android media players may not support specific MOV file formats or codecs. When a player lacks the necessary components to decode a video, it may display errors or refuse to play the file.

unsupported codecs or media player

4. Storage Issues or File System Errors

A corrupted SD card or internal storage can damage stored MOV files. Bad sectors, formatting errors, or sudden system crashes while recording or saving videos can lead to unreadable files.

5. Virus or Malware Infection

Malicious software can infect your device and alter or damage MOV files, making them unplayable. Downloading videos from unsafe websites or transferring infected files increases this risk.

Part 2. How To Fix a Corrupted MOV File on Android [Ultimate Solutions]

While trying to restore a damaged clip to its original state may seem challenging, that is not the case. Multiple ways are available to help you out, ranging from dedicated repair apps to restoring backups. Explored below are the top 4 ways to learn how to repair a corrupt MOV file:

Solution 1. Use a Robust Video Repair Tool

For a corrupt or damaged MOV file, the best option is to get yourself a video repair app to fix it. These tools are designed to analyze and fix broken video structures, ensuring smooth playback without data loss. Instead of struggling with manual fixes that may not work, an automated repair tool can quickly restore your damaged files. The best choice to fix MOV files is Dr.Fone App - Video Repair (Android).

This powerful tool specializes in fixing damaged video files by repairing corrupted headers, missing frames, and playback errors. With its advanced repair algorithms, it ensures that even severely corrupted files have a high chance of recovery. Beyond its repair capabilities, the app also supports various video formats to make it a versatile choice. Moreover, its dynamic design allows you to repair videos in just a few taps to eliminate complex steps.

Features That Make Dr.Fone App the Best Choice

  • Enables users to preview repaired videos before saving them, ensuring the file has been restored properly.
  • Ensures no data loss during the repair process, preserving video quality and original content.
  • Quickly processes video repairs without long waiting times, making it ideal for instant recovery.

Dr.Fone Video - Video Repair (Android)

Efficiently repairs a wide range of corrupted videos.

  • Automatic detection, no professional skills required.
  • Supports repair in common corruption scenarios.
  • Advanced repair capabilities for complex damage.
  • Supports multiple formats: MP4, MOV, 3GP, MTS, AVI, M2TS, MKV, FLV, M4V.
app store button
google play button
drfone app qrcode for ios and android
3981454 people have downloaded it

Guide on How To Fix MOV File via Dr.Fone App – Video Repair (Android)

It repairs not only MOV files but also MP4, AVI, MKV, and other widely used video formats. Follow the elaborate step-by-step guide described below to repair MOV files:

Step 1. Tap the Video Repair Button and Import the Damaged File

To commence, install and launch the robust Dr.Fone App from the Play Store on your smartphone. After that, tap on the blue AI Toolbox icon located at the center of the bottom toolbar. From there, navigate to the "Discover" tab and select the "Video Repair" option. Once inside, press the "+ Add Video" button and browse your phone's storage to upload the corrupted MOV file.

try video repair and add video

Step 2. Start the Repair Process to Fix Unplayable MOV Videos

Right after importing the file, the app will automatically begin the repair operation without requiring any manual steps. If the process takes extra time due to a large file, tap "View Later" to let it continue running in the background. Once the repair is complete, preview the restored video and select "Save" to proceed.

witness processing and tap view later

Step 3. Use Advanced Repair for a More Comprehensive Fix

Should the basic repair method fail, switch to the "Advanced Repair" option. Tap the "+" button in the "Add a sample video to repair" section and upload a reference video. Ensure that the sample matches the format and comes from the same device as the damaged clip. After the reference file is validated, press "Advanced Repair" to initiate the restoration process. When the repair is finished, save the newly fixed video to enjoy your memories.

hit advanced repair to proceed

app store button
google play button
app store button
google play button

Solution 2. Convert MOV to Another Format

There is a chance that the MOV file type is not fully supported by your phone or media player for some reason. In such a scenario, you can try to fix the unplayable video by converting it to another common format like MP4. To do so, you can opt for an online converter and perform this operation in moments. Utilize these steps to fix corrupted MOV files via conversion:

Step 1. Access a web browser of your choice on your mobile and visit a video converter tool like Cloudconvert. Here, choose "MOV" for the "Convert" option and "MP4" for the "To" option.

select convert and to formats

Step 2. Following that, tap "Select File" to upload the targeted video and hit "Convert" to start the conversion. Once the process has been completed, utilize the "Download" button to store the converted video and see if it works.

tap download to save converted video

Solution 3. Utilize a Different Video Player

It is possible that the issue lies with the app you are using to watch your MOV files. Some default Android players lack the necessary codecs to decode certain MOV files, leading to playback errors.

Switching to a more advanced video player can often resolve the issue without requiring file repairs. The following guide should let you deal with the MOV file won't play issue via third-party video players:

Instructions. Proceed to launch the Play Store and look for a robust video player like VLC, KM Player, or another. Then, use the "Install" button to get the app and play your MOV files after it installs to see if this method works.

install another video player

Solution 4. Recover MOV File from a Backup

When you cannot fix the targeted video, you should look for it in the device backups. It is possible that a correct version of the file exists in your phone backup, which you can restore to the mobile. Google Photos is the automatic way to back up your device photos and videos if it is enabled. You can use the following steps to repair damaged MOV files via this technique:

Step 1. Begin by making your way to the targeted corrupt video on your mobile and deleting it. Once it is removed, move to launch the Google Photos app and find the file there.

Step 2. After you have located the file, play it to ensure that it is not the corrupted version. When satisfied, hit the "Download" button to store the video back on your Android device.

store video to android via download

Pro Tip: How To Repair a Damaged or Corrupt MOV File on Your iPhone

While we have discussed solutions for Android users, the issue can also occur on iOS devices. To restore a damaged MOV file on an iDevice, an online repair tool provides a quick and convenient fix. A highly effective option is Repairit Online, a web-based tool that repairs corrupted MOV files. It supports multiple video formats, including MOV, MP4, and AVI, making it a versatile choice for fixing damaged files.

The platform uses advanced repair algorithms to detect and resolve file corruption issues. Since it works entirely online, you can upload your corrupted file from your phone and receive a repaired version in just a few steps. That means you can repair MOV files from anywhere without worrying about compatibility issues. Follow these detailed instructions to fix your favorite clips in no time with this advanced option:

Step 1. Approach the Web Tool and Add Your Clips

To begin, open Chrome or another preferred browser on your iDevice and access the Repairit Online site. Here, scroll down to tap the "Repair Videos" option and use "Add Video" to upload the targeted clip.

add video to repairit online

Step 2. Proceed to Repair All Uploaded MOV Files

Once the video loads, you can view the file with all its details under the "Repair List" tab. You can also choose to add more files via "Add Video" if you have other damaged clips. When done, hit the "Repair All" button to kickstart the AI-powered repair process.

choose to perform repair all

Step 3. Get the Fixed Videos Back on Your iDevice

After the web tool has repaired your MOV files, tap the "Download All" button to store them on your phone. In case the normal repair process doesn't work, you can always try the "Advanced Repair" feature.

use download or advanced repair

Conclusion

In summary, learning to repair damaged MOV files becomes a lot easier with the right methods. Solutions like using a video repair tool, converting the file, and switching to a different player can help a lot. For the most reliable results, Dr.Fone App is highly recommended. Its advanced repair technology and support for multiple formats make it the ideal choice.

Instead of struggling with trial-and-error fixes, Dr.Fone App provides a quick and efficient way to recover your videos and ensure smooth playback. Try it today to restore your damaged MOV files effortlessly.

app store button
google play button
app store button
google play button
James Davis

James Davis

staff Editor

(Click to rate this post)

Generally rated4.5(105participated)