How to open a .m2ts file
Quick, free ways to open M2TS on any system.
A .m2ts file is a Blu-ray / AVCHD Video. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads M2TS yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .m2ts file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .m2ts. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with VLC or MPC-HC.
- On Mac, use VLC or IINA.
- On Linux, try VLC or mpv.
- Still stuck? Convert the .m2ts to mp4, which opens more widely.
Best apps to open .m2ts files
Windows
- VLC
- MPC-HC
- HandBrake (convert)
macOS
- VLC
- IINA
- HandBrake (convert)
Linux
- VLC
- mpv
- HandBrake
!
Before you open it: Safe. M2TS is video decoded by a media player.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .m2ts file?
Almost always because no installed app understands M2TS. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I open an .m2ts file?
Play it in VLC, which reads Blu-ray and AVCHD streams. For editing or sharing, convert it to MP4 with HandBrake.
Where do .m2ts files come from?
The STREAM folder of Blu-ray discs and the AVCHD folders of camcorders. They hold the actual high-definition video.