How to Convert Videos to iPad?

To play all kinds of videos that are not native videos for iOS devices on iPad, you need to use a video converter to convert the movie/video files to iPad compatible format. There are many video converters on the market can help you with the video conversion, you need to find the suitable one. In this guide, we will use Avidemux, a free, open source cross-platform video editor, and HandBrake, another open source & free software, to iPad users for their rich features, fast conversion speed, user friendly design.

What video formats are supported by iPad?

iPad mainly plays H.264, MPEG‑4, HEVC, and ProRes videos in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file containers or formats.

A video codec is a technology used to compress and decompress digital video data. Different video codecs use different compression methods, such as removing redundant or irrelevant data, grouping similar data, and using mathematical algorithms to represent data in a more efficient way. Some common video codecs include AVC (also known as H.264), HEVC (also known as H.265), VP9, Theora, MPEG-4 (ffmpeg), and AV1.

Method 1. Converting videos to iPad using AvideMux

Avidemux is a free, open source cross-platform video editor for Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and BSD. It is designed for simple cutting, filtering and encoding tasks. It supports many file types, including AVI, DVD compatible MPEG files, MP4 and ASF, using a variety of codecs.

avidemux video editor for windows
avidemux video editor for windows

Open Avidemux on your computer. We will use its Windows version on a PC in this demo. Click on File in the menu bar or click the Open Video button from the top toolbar, then select and import the video.

Once the video is loaded in Avidemux, click on Video Output drop-down menu on the left and choose the output video codec you want to use for the conversion. You can choose from options such as H.264, MPEG-4, or HEVC (H.265) as we have mentioned above. Next, click on Audio Output drop-down menu also on the left panel and select a supported audio codec such as AAC, AC3 or MP3. If you don’t need to encode the sound track, set the Audio Output to Copy. Choose MP4 Muxer from the Output Format drop-down menu.

When you’re done with the settings, click on File > Save from the top menu, or click on the Save Video button to choose the location and name for the converted video file. Finally, click on Save to start the conversion process.

Method 2. Convert Videos to iPad using HandBrake

HandBrake is a free, cross-platform video transcoder to convert video from nearly any format to a selection of modern, widely supported codecs. It comes with different versions for Windows, Mac and Linux. It is known for its user-friendly interface, easy-to-use presets, and high-quality output. HandBrake is also highly customizable, allowing users to adjust various settings such as video quality, resolution, and aspect ratio.

Download and install HandBrake from its official website. Launch HandBrake on your computer. Here we will use its Windows version in this demo. The Source Selection screen opens automatically where you can select the video file you want to convert.

handbrake for windows - source selection
handbrake for windows – source selection

Once you have selected the file, HandBrake will automatically scan it and display its properties in the Summary tab.

handbrake for windows - media file summary
handbrake for windows – media file summary

You can choose a preset that is optimized for iPad from the Preset drop-down menu or go to pick up a compatible video codec from the Video tab.

To do this, go to the Preset section and select a preset for Apple products, such as Apple 2160p, Apple 1080p, Apple 720p, Apple 540p, etc. These presets are compatible with all Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV.

handbrake for windows - select presets
handbrake for windows – select presets

You can also customize the output settings further by clicking on the Video or Audio tabs. Here, you can adjust the resolution, frame rate, and other settings to suit your needs.

handbrake for windows - video options
handbrake for windows – video options

Once you are satisfied with the settings, click on the Start Encode button from the top toolbar to begin the conversion process.

The time it takes to convert the video will depend on the length and size of the original file, as well as the settings you have selected. The Save As box along the bottom specifies the location where you like to save the output or converted videos on your computer. Once the conversion is complete, you can transfer the video to your iPad and enjoy it.