How to Encode and Convert Video on Your Phone | Choosing a Compression & MP4 Conversion App
Hearing "encode a video" might bring to mind specialized computer work, but you can actually do the same thing with just an Android phone. This article rounds up when you'd need to encode (convert/compress) video, and how to handle it with a phone app.
In short, the free app MediaToolbox lets you change resolution, convert format (encode), and compress video entirely on your phone, no computer required.
What Does "Encoding" Actually Mean?
Encoding is the process of converting and recording video or audio data into a particular format (codec). Whether you want to shrink the file size of a video you shot, or convert an unplayable format into a different one, this encoding process is happening behind the scenes. Encoding with dedicated computer software is the common image, but a phone app can perform the same process just as easily.
When Would I Need to Encode Video on My Phone?
- Can't send a video on LINE or by email: the file is too large and sending fails
- The video won't play: it was saved in an unsupported format, like an iPhone's HEVC
- Want to post it on social media: need to convert it to a resolution suited to the platform
- Want to save storage space: need to shrink the file size of a batch of videos you've accumulated
What Video Encoding and Conversion Can MediaToolbox Do?
| What you want to do | Feature to use | Full guide |
|---|---|---|
| Shrink the file size | Video resize (change resolution) | How to compress a video's file size on your phone |
| Fix a video that won't play | Convert to MP4 | How to convert a video to MP4 on your phone |
| Pull just the audio out of a video | Extract audio (M4A) | How to extract just the audio from a video |
| Convert an image's format too | JPEG/PNG/WEBP conversion | How to convert images between JPEG, PNG, and WEBP |
| Change an image's size (pixel dimensions) | Image resize | How to resize an image to any size |
| Turn a PDF page into an image | Convert PDF to image | How to convert a PDF to images |
What Should I Look For When Choosing an App?
- Whether it's free to use (one-time charges or ads)
- Whether it handles multiple formats beyond video — images, audio, PDFs
- Whether processing happens entirely on-device, without uploading video to an external server
- Whether it supports your language
Summary
Encoding video sounds like specialized work, but a phone app lets you change resolution, convert format, and compress files in just a few taps, no computer knowledge required. Check the table above for the full how-to guide for whichever feature fits your need.
MediaToolbox
A simple multimedia conversion tool for video, images, audio, and PDF — all in one. Free.
📲 Download for freeFrequently Asked Questions
Q. Are encoding and converting the same thing?
A. Strictly speaking, encoding refers to the broader process of encoding video/audio data into a particular format (codec). The "convert video" action in a phone app is performing this encoding process behind the scenes.
Q. Do I need a computer to encode video on Android?
A. No. With an app like MediaToolbox, everything from changing resolution to format conversion can be done entirely on your phone.
Q. What are the benefits of encoding a video?
A. You can shrink the file size to make it easier to send, or convert an unplayable format into universally compatible MP4 to improve compatibility.
Q. Is there a free app for encoding?
A. Yes. MediaToolbox can be downloaded and used for free.
Q. Can I encode or convert things besides video?
A. MediaToolbox handles more than video — it also supports image format conversion (JPEG/PNG/WEBP), extracting audio (M4A) from video, and converting between PDF and images.