What is the main difference between MP3 and MP4?

The main difference is that MP3 is an audio-only compression format for music, while MP4 is a digital multimedia container that can hold audio, video, images, and subtitles in a single file.

Which is better, MP3 or MP4?

MP4 is better for video files because it stores both picture and sound, whereas MP3 is better for pure music collections due to its smaller file size and universal player support.

Can I play an MP4 file on an MP3 player?

No, a standard MP3 player cannot play MP4 files because it lacks the necessary video decoder hardware and software required to process the multimedia container format.

Is an MP4 file always a video?

No, an MP4 file is not always a video because it is a container format that can store only audio, only video, or a combination of both tracks depending on how it was encoded.

Does converting MP4 to MP3 reduce the sound quality?

Yes, converting MP4 to MP3 reduces sound quality because the process re-compresses the audio using lossy compression, which permanently discards some of the original audio data.

What is the file size difference between MP3 and MP4?

An MP3 file is typically much smaller than an MP4 file because MP3 stores only compressed audio, while MP4 stores video data which requires significantly more storage space per minute.

Are MP3 and MP4 interchangeable for storing music?

No, they are not interchangeable for storing music because MP3 is a dedicated audio codec, while MP4 is a container that requires a compatible player to extract the audio track.

Why does my phone play MP3 but not MP4?

Your phone plays MP3 but not MP4 because the MP4 file may use a video codec like H.264 that your device's default music app does not support for playback.

What is the best format for a podcast, MP3 or MP4?

MP3 is the best format for a podcast because it delivers clear speech at low bitrates, ensuring small file sizes for easy downloading and streaming on all podcast apps.

Can I switch an MP4 file to MP3 without losing the video?

No, you cannot switch an MP4 file to MP3 without losing the video because the MP3 format only supports audio data and discards all visual information during conversion.

Difference Between

Difference Between Mp3 and Mp4

Written byNex Virox Team

Editorial Team

Reviewed byVarshal Nirbhavane

Senior SEO & Organic Growth Professional · 5+ years

Published: August 29, 202618 min read

Quick answer

The main difference between Mp3 and Mp4 is that Mp3 is an audio-only compression format, while Mp4 is a digital multimedia container that can hold audio, video, images, and subtitles. Mp3 is a lossy audio codec for music files, while Mp4 is a versatile file format for video and rich media.

Key takeaways

Core distinction: MP3 is an audio-only codec, while MP4 is a digital container that holds video, audio, and subtitles.
How they work: MP3 compresses sound by removing inaudible frequencies, whereas MP4 stores multiple media streams together using codecs like AAC.
File size difference: MP3 files are typically smaller because they carry only audio, while MP4 files grow larger with added video tracks.
Best-fit use case: Choose MP3 for music libraries and podcasts, but select MP4 for videos, movies, and multimedia sharing.
Common decision mistake: Do not convert MP4 to MP3 expecting video retention, because MP3 strips all visual data permanently.

Table of Contents18 sections

Difference Between Mp3 and Mp4: Comparison Table

Aspect	Mp3	Mp4
Definition	Mp3 is an audio-only compression format for storing music and sound.	Mp4 is a digital multimedia container that holds audio, video, and subtitles.
Purpose	Mp3 shrinks audio files for playback on portable music devices.	Mp4 packages video and audio streams for streaming and playback.
Core Mechanism	Mp3 uses perceptual coding to discard inaudible sound frequencies.	Mp4 stores multiple codec-compressed streams inside a single file wrapper.
File Extension	Mp3 files use the .mp3 extension exclusively for audio data.	Mp4 files use the .mp4 extension for combined video and audio data.
Content Type	Mp3 carries only compressed audio data, never visual elements.	Mp4 carries video, audio, text overlays, and still images.
Video Support	Mp3 has zero video capability by design.	Mp4 supports full video playback with synchronized audio tracks.
Compression Standard	Mp3 uses MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 lossy compression.	Mp4 uses MPEG-4 Part 14 container specifications.
Audio Codec	Mp3 typically encodes audio with the MP3 codec.	Mp4 commonly uses AAC codec for superior audio quality.
Video Codec	Mp3 has no video codec since it stores audio only.	Mp4 typically uses H.264 or H.265 video compression codecs.
Bitrate Range	Mp3 supports bitrates from 8 kbps up to 320 kbps.	Mp4 video bitrates range from 500 kbps to over 50 Mbps.
Sampling Rate	Mp3 supports sampling rates from 16 kHz to 48 kHz.	Mp4 supports sampling rates up to 96 kHz for audio tracks.
File Size	A 3-minute Mp3 song at 128 kbps is roughly 3 megabytes.	A 3-minute Mp4 video at 720p is roughly 50 megabytes.
Audio Quality	Mp3 at 320 kbps delivers near-CD quality for most listeners.	Mp4 with AAC at 256 kbps outperforms Mp3 at identical bitrates.
Video Quality	Mp3 cannot display any visual resolution.	Mp4 supports resolutions from 144p up to 8K Ultra HD.
Playback Speed	Mp3 decoding requires minimal processor power on any device.	Mp4 video decoding demands a capable graphics processor.
Encoding Speed	Mp3 encoding is roughly 10 times faster than real-time playback.	Mp4 video encoding is slower, often 1 to 2 times real-time speed.
Cost	Mp3 encoding software is free or low-cost for basic use.	Mp4 encoding tools are free, but professional suites charge fees.
Storage Efficiency	Mp3 stores roughly 1 hour of audio per 60 megabytes.	Mp4 stores roughly 1 hour of video per 700 megabytes.
Battery Drain	Mp3 playback drains minimal battery on portable players.	Mp4 video playback consumes significantly more battery power.
Device Support	Mp3 plays on virtually every digital audio device since 1995.	Mp4 plays on most modern smartphones, TVs, and computers.
Streaming Use	Mp3 streams efficiently over low-bandwidth connections.	Mp4 requires higher bandwidth for smooth video streaming.
Metadata Support	Mp3 stores ID3 tags for title, artist, album, and cover art.	Mp4 stores rich metadata including chapter markers and lyrics.
Editing Flexibility	Mp3 editing is limited to trimming and simple audio effects.	Mp4 allows frame-accurate video cutting and multi-track editing.
Compatibility	Mp3 is compatible with all operating systems and hardware players.	Mp4 is compatible with modern devices but may need codec packs.
Usage Examples	Mp3 is used for music downloads, podcasts, and audiobooks.	Mp4 is used for movies, YouTube uploads, and video calls.
Typical Users	Mp3 suits audiophiles, commuters, and podcast listeners.	Mp4 suits filmmakers, vloggers, and video content consumers.
Primary Limitation	Mp3 cannot carry video or high-resolution audio formats.	Mp4 has larger file sizes and requires video codec support.
Age of Format	Mp3 was standardized in 1993 and remains widely used.	Mp4 was standardized in 2001 and dominates modern media.
Future Outlook	Mp3 usage declines as streaming services prefer newer codecs.	Mp4 remains the leading format for online video distribution.
Best-Fit Scenario	Choose Mp3 for audio-only collections prioritizing small file size.	Choose Mp4 for video content requiring synchronized sound and visuals.

What Is Mp3?

Mp3 is a digital audio coding format that compresses sound files to roughly one-tenth of their original size. It removes sounds humans barely hear, letting music players store thousands of songs. The format exists to make music portable and easy to share online.

Definition of Mp3

Mp3, formally MPEG-1 Audio Layer III, is a lossy compression algorithm that reduces audio data using perceptual coding. It discards frequencies masked by louder sounds, producing files that play on virtually every device. The format balances small file size against acceptable audio fidelity for everyday listening.

Key Characteristics of Mp3

Characteristic	What It Means in Practice
Lossy compression	Permanently removes audio data, so file size drops but original sound is never fully restored.
Variable bitrate	Adjusts data rate per section, assigning more bits to complex passages and fewer to silence.
Universal compatibility	Plays on car stereos, phones, computers, and dedicated players without special software or conversion.
Small file size	A typical three-minute song occupies roughly 3 to 5 megabytes at 128 kbps.
ID3 metadata tags	Stores artist, album, track number, and cover art directly inside the file for easy organisation.
Sample rate support	Handles common rates like 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz, matching CD and DVD audio standards.
Bitrate flexibility	Ranges from 8 kbps for speech up to 320 kbps for near-CD quality music.
Streaming efficiency	Delivers smooth playback over slow internet connections because of low data requirements.
No DRM restriction	Files are not locked to specific stores or devices, so users can copy and move them freely.
Decades of support	Introduced in 1993, the format remains actively supported by every major operating system.

Common Examples of Mp3

Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon – widely ripped to Mp3 and shared across forums, proving the format's album-length viability.
Apple iPod Classic – the iconic 2001 player that popularised carrying 1,000 Mp3 songs in a pocket.
Napster – the peer-to-peer service that made Mp3 the standard for digital music exchange in the late 1990s.
Winamp – the desktop media player whose "It really whips the llama's ass" tagline defined early Mp3 listening.
Amazon Music – the store that sells DRM-free Mp3 downloads, letting buyers own files outright.
Bandcamp – the artist-friendly platform that offers Mp3 downloads alongside lossless options for independent musicians.
Audible – the audiobook service that uses Mp3 for many titles, making long-form speech compact and portable.
Radiotelevisión Española podcasts – Spanish public broadcaster distributing news and culture shows as downloadable Mp3 files.
Creative Zen – the early 2000s Mp3 player that competed directly with the iPod using flash storage.
SoundCloud – the streaming platform that historically encoded uploaded tracks as 128 kbps Mp3 for playback.

Advantages and Limitations of Mp3

Advantages	Limitations
Files are small enough to email, store, and transfer quickly on any connection.	High-frequency detail is permanently lost during encoding and cannot be recovered later.
Works on billions of devices, from 1990s hardware to modern smart speakers.	Audible artifacts like "swirling" or metallic ringing appear at low bitrates below 128 kbps.
No proprietary player locks users into a single brand or software ecosystem.	Audio engineers and audiophiles reject Mp3 for mastering because it masks subtle mix errors.
Encoding is fast, even on low-power processors found in budget phones.	Metadata tags are inconsistent across encoders, causing garbled artist names on some players.
Podcasts and audiobooks benefit from clear speech at very low bitrates like 64 kbps.	File size grows quickly at 320 kbps, erasing the storage advantage over lossless formats.
Streaming radio stations use Mp3 to reach listeners on slow mobile networks.	No support for multi-channel surround sound, limiting its use in home theatre setups.
Users can edit and re-encode files repeatedly without needing specialised studio software.	Each re-encode compounds quality loss, so a file copied through several edits sounds noticeably worse.
Hardware decoders are cheap, keeping Mp3 players affordable for budget markets.	Silence and very quiet passages can develop a faint hiss because of dithering noise.
Batch conversion tools let users rip entire CD collections in under an hour.	No gapless playback standard, so live albums and classical works have audible pauses between tracks.
Widely documented, so developers find libraries and code samples for every programming language.	Patents historically created legal uncertainty for software distributors outside the consumer market.

What Is Mp4?

Mp4 is a digital multimedia container format that stores video, audio, subtitles, and images in a single file. It compresses data efficiently for streaming and playback across devices. Mp4 exists to deliver high-quality video in small file sizes for universal compatibility.

Definition of Mp4

Mp4, formally MPEG-4 Part 14, is a container format specified by the Moving Picture Experts Group. It wraps compressed video streams using H.264 or H.265 codecs, plus audio tracks, into one interoperable file. This structure enables synchronized playback on virtually any modern device or platform.

Key Characteristics of Mp4

Characteristic	What It Means in Practice
Container format	Holds video, audio, and subtitle streams together in one single file wrapper.
Video codec support	Works with H.264 and H.265 compression for sharp visuals at moderate bitrates.
Audio codec support	Carries AAC audio tracks, offering clear sound at lower data rates than alternatives.
Streaming optimization	Plays progressively while downloading, enabling instant playback without full file download.
Universal compatibility	Opens natively on phones, tablets, TVs, browsers, and gaming consoles without extra software.
Metadata embedding	Stores title, artist, cover art, and chapter markers inside the file for organized libraries.
Subtitle inclusion	Embeds text tracks that display captions in multiple languages during video playback.
File size efficiency	Delivers reasonable quality at roughly half the file size of older AVI formats.
Editing flexibility	Allows cutting and merging without full re-encoding when structure remains intact.
Broad standard adoption	Recognized as the default format for online video sharing and digital broadcasting worldwide.

Common Examples of Mp4

YouTube uploads – the platform transcodes every submitted video into Mp4 for playback.
iPhone camera recordings – Apple devices save default videos as Mp4 files using HEVC codec.
WhatsApp video messages – sent clips are compressed and delivered in Mp4 container format.
Netflix downloads – offline episodes store as encrypted Mp4 files on mobile devices.
Instagram Reels – short vertical videos export as Mp4 for cross-platform sharing.
DVD rips – HandBrake software outputs digitized movies as Mp4 files for library storage.
Zoom meeting recordings – cloud recordings download as Mp4 files with audio and video.
Adobe Premiere exports – video editors render final cuts to Mp4 for client delivery.
GoPro action footage – cameras record high-frame-rate clips directly into Mp4 format.
Twitter embedded clips – all video tweets stream as Mp4 files through the platform.

Advantages and Limitations of Mp4

Advantages	Limitations
Plays on nearly every device without installing codec packs or additional players.	Editing requires re-encoding the file, which degrades quality and slows workflow.
Compresses video efficiently, reducing storage needs and upload bandwidth requirements.	Lossy compression permanently discards original data, so quality cannot be restored later.
Supports streaming with fast start, letting viewers watch before the file finishes downloading.	Older editing software often fails to handle Mp4 files properly, causing compatibility errors.
Combines multiple tracks like audio, video, and subtitles into one convenient package.	Container structure is complex, making manual error recovery difficult when corruption occurs.
Handles high-definition and 4K resolutions while keeping file sizes manageable.	Hardware acceleration demands a compatible GPU or playback stutters on low-end machines.
Widely accepted by streaming platforms, social media, and broadcast systems globally.	Patent licensing fees apply for commercial encoding tools, adding cost for software vendors.
Preserves chapter markers and metadata for navigation within long-form content.	Some web players buffer aggressively, causing interruptions on slower internet connections.
Works across operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS without conversion.	Audio quality caps below lossless formats, disappointing audiophiles with high-end equipment.
Enables fast seeking through keyframe indexing, allowing quick jumps within videos.	Screen recording tools often produce large Mp4 files that require further compression.
Supported by hardware encoders, enabling real-time recording without taxing the CPU.	Recovery of deleted or corrupted Mp4 files is rarely successful without specialized paid software.

Similarities Between Mp3 and Mp4

Shared Aspect	How Mp3 and Mp4 Are Alike
Digital media formats	Both Mp3 and Mp4 are digital file formats used to store and play multimedia content on electronic devices.
File extension usage	Mp3 and Mp4 both use their respective three-character file extensions to identify their format to software and hardware players.
Compression technology	Both Mp3 and Mp4 rely on lossy compression algorithms to reduce file size while attempting to preserve perceived quality.
Playback devices	Mp3 and Mp4 files play on smartphones, computers, tablets, and dedicated portable media players without requiring special equipment.
Portable music origins	Both Mp3 and Mp4 formats gained massive popularity through their association with portable digital music players.
Digital distribution	Mp3 and Mp4 files are both distributed widely through online stores, streaming services, and direct downloads across the internet.
Metadata support	Both Mp3 and Mp4 formats support embedded metadata tags for storing title, artist, album, and track information.
Bitrate variability	Mp3 and Mp4 both support variable bitrate encoding, allowing quality and file size to adjust dynamically during playback.
Editing software	Both Mp3 and Mp4 files can be edited, trimmed, and converted using widely available consumer audio and video editing applications.
Cross-platform compatibility	Mp3 and Mp4 play natively across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux operating systems without requiring additional codecs.
Streaming suitability	Both Mp3 and Mp4 formats stream efficiently over internet connections, making them standard choices for online media delivery.
Storage efficiency	Mp3 and Mp4 both compress source material significantly, enabling users to store thousands of files on limited storage space.
Standardization bodies	Both Mp3 and Mp4 formats are defined by international standards organizations, ensuring consistent implementation across different vendors and platforms.
Consumer adoption	Mp3 and Mp4 both achieved widespread consumer adoption, becoming household names recognized by non-technical users globally.
Creation workflows	Both Mp3 and Mp4 files are created through similar encoding workflows that convert raw audio or video source material into compressed digital files.
Hardware support	Mp3 and Mp4 both receive hardware-level support in car stereos, home theaters, gaming consoles, and smart televisions.
File sharing	Mp3 and Mp4 files both became central to peer-to-peer file sharing networks and personal media libraries during the early internet era.
Quality degradation	Both Mp3 and Mp4 lose quality when repeatedly re-encoded, as each compression cycle introduces additional artifacts and data loss.
Legal considerations	Mp3 and Mp4 both carry patent licensing requirements and copyright considerations that affect commercial distribution and usage rights.
User familiarity	Mp3 and Mp4 both benefit from high user familiarity, with most consumers recognizing these formats as standard for digital media.
Conversion tools	Both Mp3 and Mp4 files convert easily between formats using free and paid conversion tools available for every major platform.
Sample rate support	Mp3 and Mp4 both support standard audio sample rates including 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz, matching CD and DVD quality standards.
Playlist integration	Both Mp3 and Mp4 files integrate seamlessly into playlist systems on media players, allowing users to organize and queue content.
Cloud storage	Mp3 and Mp4 both upload and sync to cloud storage services, enabling access to personal media libraries across multiple devices.
Battery consumption	Both Mp3 and Mp4 playback consume similar battery power on mobile devices, though video playback in Mp4 typically drains faster.
Legacy persistence	Mp3 and Mp4 both remain widely used today despite newer formats, demonstrating remarkable staying power in the digital media landscape.
Ripping workflows	Both Mp3 and Mp4 files can be ripped or extracted from physical media like CDs and DVDs using standard consumer software tools.
Broadcast compatibility	Mp3 and Mp4 both integrate with broadcasting systems, enabling radio stations and streaming platforms to deliver content to audiences.
Archival longevity	Both Mp3 and Mp4 files remain readable on modern systems decades after their introduction, ensuring long-term access to archived media collections.
Ecosystem support	Mp3 and Mp4 both benefit from massive ecosystems of software, hardware, tutorials, and community resources built around their formats.

Mp3 or Mp4: Which Should You Choose?

The single variable that decides it for most people is whether you need video. If you only need audio, Mp3 wins on file size and device compatibility. If you need video, Mp4 is the only choice because Mp3 cannot store moving images. Match the format to the content type.

When to Use Mp3

Choose Mp3 when audio-only files are your sole requirement. This fits music libraries, podcasts, audiobooks, and voice memos. Mp3 also suits limited storage devices like older players or budget phones, and scenarios where maximum file size reduction matters more than perfect sound quality.

When to Use Mp4

Choose Mp4 when video playback is required, such as movies, clips, or screen recordings. Mp4 also fits mixed media needs where one file must hold audio plus subtitles or metadata. Choose Mp4 for modern streaming platforms that reject Mp3, and when higher quality audio (AAC) is worth a larger file.

Common Misconceptions About Mp3 and Mp4

Common Myth	The Reality
Mp4 is just a better-sounding version of Mp3.	Mp4 is a container format, not a codec, so Mp4 does not inherently sound better than Mp3.
Mp3 files cannot contain video, only audio.	Mp3 is strictly an audio codec, so an Mp3 file holds only audio data, never video.
Mp4 always produces smaller files than Mp3.	Mp4 file size depends on codec and bitrate, so an Mp4 can be larger than an Mp3.
Renaming an Mp3 file to .mp4 makes it a video.	Changing the extension does not convert Mp3 audio; the file remains audio inside an Mp4 label.
Mp4 is a newer audio format that replaced Mp3.	Mp4 is a multimedia container from 2001, and Mp3 remains the dominant audio codec today.
Mp3 files always play on every device automatically.	Some modern devices and apps drop Mp3 support, so compatibility is not guaranteed everywhere.
Mp4 files always use the AAC codec for audio.	An Mp4 container can hold Mp3, AAC, or other audio codecs, not just AAC.
Mp3 and Mp4 are both file formats for music only.	Mp3 is audio-only, while Mp4 is a container that can hold video, audio, and subtitles.
Mp4 has worse sound quality than Mp3.	An Mp4 with AAC audio at a high bitrate can sound better than an Mp3 at a low bitrate.
Mp3 files cannot be converted to Mp4.	You can convert an Mp3 to an Mp4 container, but the audio codec inside may stay the same.
Mp4 is only used for movies and TV shows.	Mp4 also stores audio-only files, podcasts, and even still images, not just video content.
Mp3 is a video format from the early 2000s.	Mp3 is an audio compression standard from 1993, unrelated to video playback entirely.
Mp4 files are always high definition video.	An Mp4 can hold low-resolution video, so the container does not guarantee HD quality.
Mp3 files are illegal to download from anywhere.	Mp3 is a legal format; only unauthorized copying of copyrighted songs is illegal.
Mp4 is a codec, not a file extension.	Mp4 is a container format with the .mp4 extension, while codecs like H.264 live inside it.
Mp3 files are too large for modern streaming.	Mp3 streams fine at 128 kbps, but streaming services often prefer AAC in an Mp4 container.
Mp4 cannot be played on old car stereos.	Many older stereos play Mp3 but skip Mp4, so Mp4 playback is less universal on legacy gear.
Mp3 supports video if you use the right player.	No player can show video from an Mp3 because the Mp3 format contains zero video tracks.
Mp4 files are always smaller than the original video.	An Mp4 can be larger than a source file if encoded with a high bitrate and no compression.
Mp3 is owned by Apple or Microsoft.	Mp3 is an open standard from the Fraunhofer Institute, not owned by any tech giant.
Mp4 is the same thing as MPEG-4 Part 14.	Mp4 is the common name for MPEG-4 Part 14, so the terms are technically identical.
Mp3 files have no metadata for song titles.	Mp3 supports ID3 tags, which store artist, album, title, and cover art information.
Mp4 cannot hold subtitles or chapter markers.	An Mp4 container supports subtitle tracks, chapter points, and multiple audio streams.
Mp3 is a lossless format like FLAC.	Mp3 is lossy, discarding audio data, while FLAC is lossless and preserves the original waveform.
Mp4 is only for Apple devices like the iPhone.	Mp4 is a universal standard that plays on Android, Windows, consoles, and web browsers.
Mp3 files cannot be edited without special software.	Free tools like Audacity edit Mp3 easily, so no expensive proprietary software is required.
Mp4 always uses the H.264 video codec.	An Mp4 can use H.265, MPEG-4 Visual, or other codecs, so H.264 is not mandatory.
Mp3 is dead and no longer used by anyone.	Mp3 remains widely used in podcasts, audiobooks, and legacy devices despite newer codecs.
Mp4 files cannot be played in a web browser.	Modern browsers play Mp4 natively via HTML5, so no plugin or extension is needed.
Mp3 and Mp4 are interchangeable names for the same thing.	Mp3 is an audio codec, while Mp4 is a container, so they are fundamentally different formats.

Conclusion

Difference Between Mp3 and Mp4 is simple: Mp3 is an audio-only compression format, while Mp4 is a multimedia container holding audio, video, and subtitles. Choose Mp3 for compact music files. Choose Mp4 for video or when you need richer media in one file.

FAQs on Difference Between Mp3 and Mp4

What is the main difference between MP3 and MP4?: The main difference is that MP3 is an audio-only compression format for music, while MP4 is a digital multimedia container that can hold audio, video, images, and subtitles in a single file.
Which is better, MP3 or MP4?: MP4 is better for video files because it stores both picture and sound, whereas MP3 is better for pure music collections due to its smaller file size and universal player support.
Can I play an MP4 file on an MP3 player?: No, a standard MP3 player cannot play MP4 files because it lacks the necessary video decoder hardware and software required to process the multimedia container format.
Is an MP4 file always a video?: No, an MP4 file is not always a video because it is a container format that can store only audio, only video, or a combination of both tracks depending on how it was encoded.
Does converting MP4 to MP3 reduce the sound quality?: Yes, converting MP4 to MP3 reduces sound quality because the process re-compresses the audio using lossy compression, which permanently discards some of the original audio data.
What is the file size difference between MP3 and MP4?: An MP3 file is typically much smaller than an MP4 file because MP3 stores only compressed audio, while MP4 stores video data which requires significantly more storage space per minute.
Are MP3 and MP4 interchangeable for storing music?: No, they are not interchangeable for storing music because MP3 is a dedicated audio codec, while MP4 is a container that requires a compatible player to extract the audio track.
Why does my phone play MP3 but not MP4?: Your phone plays MP3 but not MP4 because the MP4 file may use a video codec like H.264 that your device's default music app does not support for playback.
What is the best format for a podcast, MP3 or MP4?: MP3 is the best format for a podcast because it delivers clear speech at low bitrates, ensuring small file sizes for easy downloading and streaming on all podcast apps.
Can I switch an MP4 file to MP3 without losing the video?: No, you cannot switch an MP4 file to MP3 without losing the video because the MP3 format only supports audio data and discards all visual information during conversion.