[Solved] Can't Add MP4 to iTunes for Syncing to iPhone iPad

Why we can't add MP4 videos to iTunes (12)? How can we upload MP4 to iTunes library successfully?.

In addition to serving as a media player, media library, online radio broadcaster, iTunes is also a mobile device management application assisting in transferring files between computer and iPhone iPad iPod Apple TV. By adding MP4 videos to iTunes, we can sync them to iPhone iPad Apple TV when necessary. However, many users report that they can't import MP4 files to iTunes for unknown reasons.

"I've some MP4 movies that play fine on QuickTime. But when I add them to iTunes, nothing happens. There're no files listed under Movies. By the way, MP3 can be imported to iTunes without error."

"After updating my iTunes version, I can't add MP4 to iTunes any more. I could do this work without problems before upgrade."

Part 1. Why Can't I Add MP4 to iTunes Library?

MP4 not adding to iTunes is a very common issue which happens on various iTunes versions including iTunes 12, iTunes 11 and iTunes 10. No matter what operating system you use, new Windows 10, macOS High Sierra or an outdated OS, you possibly encounter this issue. Well, how could this happen?

Before any further, you're suggested to check if you've already imported MP4 to iTunes but can't find them in iTunes. Since the release of iTunes 11, all videos and movies that aren't purchased from iTunes Store, for example videos downloaded from YouTube, will be added to "Home Videos" under "Movies" category rather than "My Movies" under "Movies". So check if these MP4 files are in "Home Videos". If they aren't, "can't import MP4 to iTunes" issue is likely due to the following reason.

* Your MP4 files contain codecs that are incompatible with iTunes
iTunes supported video file formats include MP4, M4V and MOV files, which doesn't mean that all MP4 files will be accepted by iTunes. MP4 as a container format could be encoded with H.264. H.265, MPEG-4, Xvid, H.263, AC3, AAC, etc, while iTunes only recognizes a few codecs like MPEG-4, H.264, and AAC. If you attempt to import MP4 files encoded with iTunes incompatible codecs, you'll fail.

If you can add MP4 to iTunes but can't sync to iPhone iPad, you need to check the technical specifications of your MP4 files. The specifications like bitrate, size, sample rate and others should match with those of your iDevice to ensure successful sync.

Part 2. How to Solve iTunes Won't Import MP4?

To solve can't add MP4 to iTunes issue, all you need is to convert MP4 to iTunes compatible format using WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe. This is a desktop-based video converter for Windows 10 and lower. A Mac version is also available. It is capable of converting MP4 files encoded with nearly any video audio codec to iTunes or Apple devices. To make things easier, it provides well-configured presettings for iTunes and Apple devices.

After downloading and installing it on your computer, you only need to process 3 simple steps to re-encode MP4 videos for iTunes and thus troubleshoot "MP4 not adding to iTunes" issue.

Step 1. Launch the converter and input source MP4 files.
You can directly drag and drop one or multiple target MP4 files into the main window, or load files by clicking "+ Video" button.

Step 2. Choose iTunes profile.
When you're directed to Output Profile panel, click "Apple Device" category and locate "to iTunes Video". You'll see two iTunes profiles, both of which are in MP4 format with different codecs (h264 + aac, mpeg4 + aac). The first one is recommended.

Step 3. Begin converting MP4 to iTunes.
If you've finished all settings, simply click "RUN" button to start converting MP4 to iTunes compatible format instantly. Thanks to hardware encoders and other advanced technologies, this work will be done in a flash. After conversion, you should get rid of "can't add MP4 to iTunes" problem.