.MP4 File Recovery

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .MP4 file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

MP4 File Recovery

What is a .MP4 file?

An MP4 file is a multimedia file commonly used to store a movie or video clip, but may also contain subtitles or images. MP4 is short for MPEG-4 Part 14, which is a container format based on the QuickTime File Format (QTFF) used by .MOV and .QT files.

What Are Common Causes of ".MP4" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".MP4" file loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: This is one of the most common causes. Users may accidentally delete ".MP4" files while organizing or deleting other files.
  2. File system corruption: If the file system of the storage device where the ".MP4" files are stored gets corrupted, it can lead to file loss or failure.
  3. Virus or malware attack: If a storage device containing ".MP4" files gets infected with a virus or malware, it can corrupt or delete the files.
  4. Power failure: Sudden power outages or improper shutdowns while working with ".MP4" files can cause corruption or loss of data.
  5. Physical damage to storage media: If the storage device containing ".MP4" files gets physically damaged, such as due to dropping or water damage, it can result in file loss or failure.
  6. Formatting errors: Accidentally formatting the storage device without taking a backup can lead to permanent loss of ".MP4" files.
  7. Software or hardware malfunctions: Issues with the media player, video editing software, or hardware components like the hard drive or memory card can cause ".MP4" file failure.
  8. File transfer errors: If there are interruptions or errors during the transfer of ".MP4" files from one device to another, it can result in incomplete or corrupted files.
  9. Incompatible codecs: If the required codecs to play or edit ".MP4" files are not installed or are incompatible with the media player or software being used, it can cause failure in playing or editing the files.
  10. Intentional deletion or formatting: Sometimes, ".MP4" files may be intentionally deleted or formatted by users, resulting in their loss.

It is important to regularly backup ".MP4" files to prevent permanent loss and to use reliable data recovery software if any loss or failure occurs.

How to recover lost ".MP4" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".MP4" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".MP4" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".MP4" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".MP4" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".MP4" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".MP4" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo mPEG-4 Video File image file file?

Programs that open ".MP4" files

Windows
File Viewer Plus File Viewer Plus
Microsoft Movies & TV Microsoft Movies & TV
Microsoft Windows Media Player Microsoft Windows Media Player
Nullsoft Winamp Nullsoft Winamp
Roxio Creator NXT Pro 7 Roxio Creator NXT Pro 7
Corel VideoStudio 2019 Corel VideoStudio 2019
CyberLink PowerDVD 17 CyberLink PowerDVD 17
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
Wondershare Filmora Wondershare Filmora
MPlayer MPlayer
Other <a href=movie player"> Other movie player
Mac
Apple QuickTime Player Apple QuickTime Player
Apple iTunes Apple iTunes
Roxio Toast 18 Roxio Toast 18
Eltima Elmedia Player Eltima Elmedia Player
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
Wondershare Filmora Wondershare Filmora
MPlayer MPlayer
Other <a href=movie player"> Other movie player
Linux
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
MPlayer MPlayer
iOS
Apple Music Apple Music
olimsoft OPlayer olimsoft OPlayer
PentaLoop PlayerXtreme Media Player PentaLoop PlayerXtreme Media Player
Google Drive Google Drive
Android
File Viewer for Android File Viewer for Android
BIT LABS Simple MP4 Video Player BIT LABS Simple MP4 Video Player
Google Drive Google Drive
Videolabs VLC for Android Videolabs VLC for Android

Additional Information

  • File type: MPEG-4 Video File

  • File extension: .MP4

  • Developer: Moving Picture Experts Group

  • Category: Video Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: video/mp4

  • HEX: 00 00 00

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 13:34 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .MP4 files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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