How to Play MKV Video on iPhone

MKV (Matroska) is the most common video container on the web. But is it possible to play MKV on an iPhone? Oh yes! This guide will explore the best ways to do so.

Watching movies on your iPhone has its charm. Whether you are traveling or killing time in the waiting room at your doctor's, your iPhone is always on you. You can always pick the most comfortable spot to cozy up and enjoy your favorite movie. But what do you do if the iPhone can't play MKV? Let's explore our options.

Can iPhone Play MKV natively?

The short answer is no. iPhones don't support MKV or many other popular media formats. The best solution to playing these files on your iPhone is to find a third-party app to play or convert the file. The problem with that solution is that these apps don’t stay up on the AppStore for too long and are full of ads. Annoying, right?

What Video Format Does iPhone Use?

iPhones support MP4, M4V, and MOV formats. This could be a bummer for many because you will definitely stumble upon a format other than one of these three, such as MKV, when browsing the internet. iPhone and iPad lack native support for MKV.

MKV vs MP4 & M4V

If you are curious about the differences between MKV, MP4, and M4V, I'll lay some basic foundations. It’s vital to clarify that the formats mentioned above are NOT file compression formats but containers that include audio and video codecs, subtitles, etc.

M4V is similar to MP4, except Apple developed the first one to accommodate its products. Regarding the MKV or MP4 battle, MP4 is undoubtedly more popular and will be supported by more products without the need for conversion, but both support high-quality H.264 video.

How to Play MKV on iPhone using WALTR

There needs to be a simpler way to watch MKV on iPhone, and there is. WALTR PRO, a macOS and Windows app, is the most reliable and time-efficient way to help you play MKV on an iPhone. Check out the video below for a live use case:

WALTR PRO is a universal file converter app that converts any file not natively supported by Apple devices into a compatible format. It works with all types of movies and video formats, including MKV.

When transferring files with WALTR PRO, the app takes care of the technical aspects—specifically, adapting the file to your iPhone.

With WALTR PRO, your iPhone will play an MKV video from Videos or an iOS TV app. The advantage over iTunes here is obvious. WALTR PRO's simple user interface makes the steps to play MKV on an iPhone very straightforward.

All it takes is just 2 steps.

Step 1: Download WALTR PRO

First things first, get a copy of WALTR PRO. You can download it directly from our website by clicking the Free Download button below.

After the installation is complete, start the app and activate a 24-hour trial using the code requested in your email.

Next, you will receive the message to connect your iPhone via USB. After that, you are ready to transfer the file. 

WALTR’s interface will look something like this.

Step 2: Drop your MKV file into WALTR PRO

Locate the MKV file on your computer and drag & drop it into WALTR PRO. The app automatically identifies the required steps to ensure your iPhone supports it. You will convert MKV to MP4 with one mouse action and easily play it later.

I’ll be using a movie titled “Everest” as an example.

The movie is now on your device, and you can find it either in the Videos or TV app on your iPhone.

I transferred a video file with the MKV extension, and the program checked my file. The transfer speed will vary depending on the size of your file. A few moments later, the movie is on your device; you can find it on videos or your iPhone's TV app.

Why is WALTR PRO the best solution?

You don't need to look for a player or app compatible with the file format you want to open on your iPhone or iPad. WALTR PRO converts any file, whether video, music, picture, book, or anything else, into an Apple-compatible format that can be opened in native Apple software. 

With one app, you resolve all the troubles of transferring files to your device and worry about compatibility, readability, and managing other software to open these files.

How to Play MKV on iPhone using VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a great alternative to watching MKV videos on your iPhone. It's a third-party MKV player supported by iPhone and iPad that can play your MKV files in-app. VLC is the best choice for people who rarely transfer files to their devices and want to play MKV video files on rare occasions.

Now, we'll show you how to play it with VLC on iPhone.

Step 1: Download the app on iPhone

Find VLC player in the App Store. Download & install it.

Step 2: Locate the desired video file

Be sure to place the file in the directory where the iPhone's 'Files' app can locate it. For example, I've stored my video in the saved messages in Telegram. I need to go to saved messages, choose the file, and transfer it into the 'Files' app, from which VLC can locate it automatically.

Step 3: Play it

Now, just tap on the MKV file and the playback will start.

Bonus tip: connect VLC to PC for file transfer

1. Make sure your PC and iPhone (or iPad) are connected to the same WiFi network.

2. Choose the Network tab in the VLC app on your iPhone or iPad.

3. Switch on Wi-Fi sharing. This creates a special URL that will be used in the next step.

4. Enter this URL into the search bar on your computer's web browser and hit Enter.

5. The result page is a sharing page. Click the Add (+) icon to make chosen video file accessible from phone.

6. Once the loading bar shows 100%, the video should appear on your phone's VLC playlist.

7. Navigate to the VLC Video tab on your iPad or iPhone. The file will be there and you can tap it to begin playback.

Third Method: Explore alternative video players

Many other MKV-supported video players can help you watch MKV videos on your iPhone. We are sure that one of them will help you easily play MKV files. The list is incomplete, and if you venture forth to look for other players, be sure to spot in the description that they support MKV or can open MKV files. Both can mean they will play on your iPhone without trouble.

Some free options:

1. KMPlayer (Requires iOS 14.0 or later.)

2. Infuse (Requires iOS 14.0 or later.)

3. Outplayer (Requires iOS 14.0 or later.)

4. GOM Player (Requires iOS 10.0 or later.)

5. PlayerXtreme (Requires iOS 11.0 or later.)

Paid options:

1. AVPlayer (Price: $2.99; Requires iOS 9.0 or later.)

2. nPlayer (Price: $4.99; Requires iOS 9.3 or later.)

Bottom Line

I sincerely hope that our solution for playing MKV files on iPhone will come in handy. It’s an incredibly simple process that allows you to fully immerse yourself in iOS without fear of the file transfer process.

In addition, WALTR PRO is a truly universal app. The simplicity you will experience when transferring MKV to iPhone is also shared by other formats and devices. WALTR PRO is your transfer buddy. Use it. Enjoy it.

FAQ

What is MKV?

Matroska Multimedia Container, or MKV, is a multimedia container that may store a limitless amount of pictures, music, video, or subtitles in a single file. Though it is an open standard, it shares conceptual similarities with other containers such as AVI, MP4, and Advanced Systems Format.

How can I play MKV on my iPhone?

You will need to use a video converter app like WALTR PRO to convert the MKV into an MP4 format. Alternatively, you can install a third-party MKV player that will enable MKV playback in-app.

Why is MKV not supported by the iPhone?

When Apple prepared the device foundation, they specifically chose the few most reliable and safe video file formats to support and keep compatible with most mobile devices. Also to avoid copywriting issues.

What video formats are supported by the iPhone?

Video formats supported by the iPhone are MP4, M4V, and MOV.