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How to convert a video to HEVC (H.265) on a Mac
By Himanshu Ranjan · Updated 8 November 2026
HEVC (H.265) is a newer codec that is claimed to compress 25 to 50 percent better than H.264 at the same quality. To convert a video on a Mac, select it in Finder and run FileDial's Convert › Convert to HEVC (smaller). It saves a new copy offline, and your original stays untouched.
What HEVC gives you
HEVC, also called H.265, was published in 2013 as the successor to H.264. Wikipedia reports that it is claimed to achieve roughly 25 to 50 percent better compression at the same video quality, with 4K at 30 fps needing about 50 Mbps in HEVC versus about 100 Mbps in older H.264 profiles. That is a published estimate, not a promise for your clip.
For a library of long recordings, lectures or old footage, switching to HEVC can free real disk space. The result depends on the source, so check the size on the result card instead of assuming a figure.
Convert with FileDial
The tool is named for the goal.
- Select the video or videos in Finder.
- Hold the right Option key to open the dial.
- Choose Convert › Convert to HEVC (smaller).
- Compare the size shown on the result card, then keep whichever copy you prefer.
Compatibility checks
HEVC support is broad but not universal. Wikipedia notes macOS supports it from 10.13, iOS from 11 and Android from 5.0, and that Windows 10 removed built-in decoding in version 1709 before it returned in Windows 11 22H2. HEVC is patent-encumbered, which is one reason the web adopted it more slowly than H.264.
If the file is going to someone with an older PC or TV, H.264 is the safer choice. If it is staying on your Mac and iPhone, HEVC is a good fit. See the H.264 versus HEVC explainer for the full trade-off.
When not to convert
HEVC is not always the right call. A clip that is already small gains little, a file that must play on an old TV or PC may fail, and a video that was already compressed hard may not shrink much further. Converting a file that is already HEVC does nothing useful.
It also pays to check where the video goes next. Upload sites often re-encode anyway, so shrinking first saves only transfer time. For personal archives and iCloud space, the case for HEVC is strongest.
Checking the result
Open the new file in QuickTime Player and compare it with the original side by side on a busy scene, such as moving water or foliage, which is where compression artifacts show first. If they are visible, keep the original or choose a gentler option.
Remember the original stays beside the copy, so you decide when to delete it. A sensible rule is to wait until you have used the converted copy for a while.
Which settings and trade-offs to think about
HEVC conversion is a size and compatibility decision. On the size side, Wikipedia's figure of 25 to 50 percent better compression applies at the same quality, so the real saving depends on the footage. Noisy low-light video and fast action resist compression, while static screen content shrinks well.
On the compatibility side, HEVC needs a decoder. macOS and iOS include one, many recent phones and TVs do, and Windows has had a more complicated history. If a file might be opened on an unknown computer, keep an H.264 copy too, which Convert › Convert to MP4 can make.
A common mistake is converting a video that has already been heavily compressed, such as a downloaded clip. You get little saving and some extra quality loss, because the compression is applied twice. Another is converting and then deleting originals in one go. Convert a few files, compare them and only then process the library. FileDial is the right tool for batches of personal footage. It is not the right tool when a client specifies an exact codec profile or bit rate.
Checklist before converting a library
Treat a big conversion as a small project, not a single click.
- Pick three typical files and convert only those first.
- Compare the sizes on the result cards with the originals.
- Play each copy on the devices that matter to you, including the TV.
- Only then select the whole folder.
- Delete originals last, after a backup exists.
Alternatives on macOS
QuickTime Player can export HEVC for 4K and 1080p: open the movie, choose File > Export As, pick the resolution and select Smaller File Size (HEVC) in the Format menu. Apple's page says that option applies to 4K and 1080p. This gives you one file at a time with fewer controls than a batch tool.
For a folder of videos, FileDial's batch support means you select them all and run the tool once, with each result saved beside its original.
Questions
Is HEVC the same as H.265?
Yes. HEVC stands for High Efficiency Video Coding and is also called H.265 or MPEG-H Part 2. It was published in 2013 as the successor to H.264. Remember that this is a published estimate for a standard, so your own clips may save more or less.
Will an HEVC file play everywhere?
No. It plays on macOS 10.13 and later, iOS 11 and later and many other devices, but older systems or players may not decode it. For maximum compatibility, H.264 is safer. Older Windows setups and older TVs are the usual trouble spots, so check the devices that need to play it.
How much smaller will my video get?
Wikipedia cites claims of roughly 25 to 50 percent better compression at the same quality, but your result depends on the clip. FileDial shows the size before and after on the result card so you can see the real number. The result card gives exact sizes before and after, so you can judge the saving on your own footage.
Does converting delete the original?
No. The HEVC copy is saved beside the original, and the original is never changed unless a tool says so up front. Every result has Undo. If the copy turns out worse than expected, Undo removes it and the original is still there.