How to Play iPhone Videos on Windows 10?

By adminBlog

If you’ve ever tried to watch videos from your iPhone on a Windows 10 computer, you may have encountered compatibility issues. Whether you want to view HEVC (H.265) encoded videos or simply transfer videos from your iPhone to your PC, there are several ways to play iPhone videos on Windows 10 without hassle.

This article will walk you through different methods to play iPhone videos on Windows 10, ensuring you can enjoy your media without any obstacles.

Why Can’t I Play iPhone Videos Directly on Windows 10?

When you transfer videos from your iPhone to Windows 10, there are a few potential issues that may arise:

  • HEVC (H.265) Format: iPhones record videos in a high-efficiency format called HEVC (H.265), which is not supported natively by Windows 10. As a result, you might encounter problems playing these files directly.
  • File System Compatibility: iPhones use a different file system than Windows PCs, which might cause difficulty when trying to transfer and view videos.
  • Apple’s Proprietary Formats: Videos shot on iPhones may use MOV or MP4 formats, but older video players or Windows apps may not support them seamlessly.

To solve these issues, there are several approaches you can take to make sure you can play iPhone videos on your Windows 10 machine.

Method 1: Use Windows 10’s Built-in Support for MP4 and MOV Files

By default, Windows 10 supports MP4 and MOV video formats, but you may encounter issues with newer formats like HEVC. However, you can still watch most videos from your iPhone if they are saved in these formats.

Steps to Play MP4/MOV iPhone Videos in Windows 10:

  1. Transfer the Videos from iPhone to Windows 10:
    • Connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable.
    • Open File Explorer and locate your iPhone under This PC.
    • Open the DCIM folder, where your photos and videos are stored.
    • Copy the videos you want to watch to your Windows PC.
  2. Play Videos with the Built-In Windows 10 Video Player:
    • Right-click on the video file.
    • Select Open with → Movies & TV (or another compatible player such as VLC Media Player).
    • The video should now play without any issues, provided it’s in a supported format like MP4 or MOV.

Method 2: Use VLC Media Player to Play All iPhone Videos

For those who encounter issues with HEVC or other iPhone-specific formats, VLC Media Player is a powerful free alternative. VLC supports nearly every video format, including HEVC (H.265) and MOV files.

Steps to Play iPhone Videos Using VLC Media Player:

  1. Download and Install VLC:
    • Go to the official VLC website and download the latest version of VLC Media Player for Windows.
    • Install VLC on your Windows 10 PC.
  2. Transfer Videos from iPhone to Windows 10:
    • Connect your iPhone and transfer the videos to your PC as you would normally.
  3. Play the Videos in VLC:
    • Right-click on the video file and select Open with → VLC Media Player.
    • VLC will handle nearly all video formats, including HEVC (H.265), MOV, and MP4, without any additional setup.

Method 3: Install HEVC Codec for Windows 10

If you prefer to use Windows 10’s built-in media player (Movies & TV) but encounter playback issues due to HEVC (H.265) encoding, you can install the HEVC codec from the Microsoft Store.

Steps to Install the HEVC Codec:

  1. Go to Microsoft Store:
    • Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu or search bar.
  2. Search for the HEVC Codec:
    • In the Store, search for “HEVC Video Extensions.”
  3. Install the Codec:
    • Click on the HEVC Video Extensions app, which may be free or require a small payment (depending on the version).
    • Install the extension.
  4. Play iPhone Videos with Movies & TV:
    • Once the codec is installed, try playing the HEVC video again in Movies & TV.
    • Your Windows 10 PC should now support iPhone videos with HEVC encoding, and you’ll be able to watch them seamlessly.

Method 4: Convert iPhone Videos to a Windows-Compatible Format

If you prefer not to install additional software, you can always convert iPhone videos to a format that is natively supported by Windows 10, like MP4.

Steps to Convert iPhone Videos:

  1. Use a Conversion Tool:
    Download a free video converter like HandBrake or Freemake Video Converter.
  2. Convert the Video to MP4:
    • Open the converter and select the iPhone video you want to convert.
    • Choose MP4 as the output format, which is fully supported by Windows 10.
    • Click Start to convert the video.
  3. Play the Converted Video:
    • Once the video is converted, you can open it using Movies & TV or any other video player on your Windows 10 machine.

Method 5: Use iCloud to Access Videos

If you use iCloud to back up your iPhone data, you can access your iPhone videos directly from iCloud Drive without having to transfer them manually.

Steps to Access Videos via iCloud:

  1. Download iCloud for Windows:
    • Go to the iCloud for Windows download page and install the software.
  2. Set Up iCloud:
    • Sign in with your Apple ID and enable iCloud Drive to sync your photos and videos.
  3. Access Videos:
    • Open File Explorer and go to the iCloud Drive folder.
    • Your iPhone videos will be accessible here, and you can double-click to play them.

Conclusion

There are several ways to play iPhone videos on a Windows 10 computer, whether it’s through native support for formats like MP4 and MOV, using third-party software like VLC Media Player, or installing the HEVC codec for better compatibility. By using the method that works best for you, you’ll be able to enjoy your iPhone videos on your Windows 10 machine hassle-free.

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