What is the 3GP file format?
A .3gp file is a multimedia container developed by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project). .3gp files store audio and video data designed for mobile devices, originally those supporting 3G technology.
The .3gp format can be seen as a simplified, mobile-optimized version of the MP4 format, most popular on PCs and laptops. It was created for streaming and sharing audio and video on mobile devices, so .3gp files are kept small to reduce bandwidth requirements. The format became the standard for sending multimedia over MMS and MBMS technology.
Technically, .3gp is built on the ISO Base Media File Format (ISO-BMFF) - the same box/atom container structure underlying .mp4 - with tighter codec constraints tuned for low-bitrate mobile networks. Video streams are encoded as MPEG-4 Part 2, H.263, or MPEG-4 Part 10 (AVC / H.264), and audio streams as AMR-NB, AMR-WB, AAC-LC, HE-AAC v1, or HE-AAC v2 (Enhanced aacPlus). The file begins with an ftyp box at byte offset 4 declaring a brand such as 3gp4, 3gp5, or 3gp6, which indicates the permitted codec profile.
Mobile devices beyond 3G - including 2G and 4G handsets - can open .3gp files, though playback support varies on newer platforms. On modern smartphones, recordings are typically saved as .mp4 instead.
It is not unusual for .3gp files to be stored with the .3gpp extension; apart from the different suffix, the files are virtually identical. The closely related .3G2 format serves the CDMA/cdma2000 branch and differs mainly in its supported audio codecs.
Security & safety
RISK: LOW3GP is a media container, not executable code, so a genuine 3GP file is safe to play. Two cautions: a file named "clip.3gp.exe" from an untrusted source could be malware in disguise - check the real extension; and keep your player (VLC/system codecs) updated, since crafted media files have occasionally exploited player bugs. Avoid sketchy "3GP player/converter" downloads that bundle adware - VLC plays 3GP natively and free.
Format details
in a nutshellFULL NAME3GPP Multimedia Fileaka 3GP video, 3G mobile video
DEVELOPER3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)since 2001 (3GPP Release 4, alongside early 3G/UMTS handsets)
CATEGORYVideo Files
MIME TYPEvideo/3gpp
TYPEISO Base Media File Format container (binary); MPEG-4/H.263/H.264 video + AMR/AAC audio
STANDARDOpen · royalty-free
MAGIC BYTES · FILE SIGNATURE
OFFSET
0405060708090a
HEX
66747970336770
ASCII
ftyp3gp
Bytes 0-3 are the box size (often 00 00 00 18/20). At offset 4 sits 'ftyp', then the major brand: '3gp4', '3gp5', '3gp6', '3gg6' etc. Audio-only 3GP may carry an '3ga'-style brand. Shares ftyp@4 with mp4/mov/m4a/3g2.
Programs that open 3GP files
Windows2 apps
VLC media player
Open-source Drag the 3GP onto VLC - plays video and AMR audio with no extra codecs. The reliable choice for silent-audio cases. 
Media Player (Windows 11)
Built-in Double-click to play; video usually works but AMR audio may be silent - use VLC if there's no sound. 
macOS2 apps
QuickTime Player
Built-in Double-click to play; QuickTime handles most 3GP but VLC is safer for AMR audio. 
Linux2 apps
Android1 app
VLC for Android
Open-source Open the 3GP in VLC; Android also plays 3GP natively in its built-in players (it's a native Android format).
iOS1 app
VLC for Mobile
Open-source Share the 3GP to VLC; iOS's built-in players may not handle AMR audio, VLC does.
Web1 app
VLC / local player recommended
Open-source Browsers don't reliably play 3GP (especially AMR audio); use a local player rather than a web viewer. Technical details
deep spec| Container format | ISO Base Media File Format (ISO/IEC 14496-12), structured as a box/atom tree |
| File-type brand | `ftyp` box at byte offset 4; major brand `3gp4`, `3gp5`, or `3gp6` identifies the 3GPP release profile |
| MIME type | `video/3gpp`; audio-only variant uses `audio/3gpp` |
| Video codecs | MPEG-4 Part 2, H.263 (Baseline Profile), H.264/AVC (MPEG-4 Part 10) |
| Audio codecs | AMR-NB, AMR-WB, AAC-LC, HE-AAC v1, HE-AAC v2 (Enhanced aacPlus) |
| Byte order | Big-endian |
| Color encoding | 4:2:0 YCbCr, 8 bits per channel |
| Typical resolution | 176×144 (QCIF) to 352×288 (CIF); later handsets up to 640×480 |
| Audio sample rate | 8 kHz (AMR-NB), 16 kHz (AMR-WB), up to 48 kHz (AAC profiles) |
| Typical file size | 100 KB - 50 MB for short low-resolution mobile clips |
| Encryption | No built-in encryption; OMA DRM optionally applied by mobile operators |
| Magic bytes (ASCII) | `ftyp` at offset 4, followed by a 3gp brand string (e.g., `3gp5`) |
| 3GPP vs 3GPP2 | `.3gp` is the GSM/UMTS branch; `.3g2` (3GPP2) is the CDMA/cdma2000 counterpart with QCELP/EVRC audio |
| Superseded by | `.mp4` (H.264/HEVC) for new recordings on modern smartphones; 3GP remains for legacy playback |
| Released | 2001 (3GPP Release 4, alongside early 3G/UMTS handsets) |
| Latest version | 3GPP TS 26.244 (ongoing maintenance under 3GPP releases) |
| Open standard | Yes · royalty-free |
| Specification | www.3gpp.org |
3GP conversions
Possible
.3GP .AVIGUIDE
Yes, 3GP converts to AVI - use HandBrake (free) or ffmpeg for the fastest results.
How to convert
.3GP .MP4GUIDE
Yes, 3GP converts to MP4 - and because 3GP is technically a restricted profile of the MP4 container, the…
How to convert
.3GP .MOVGUIDE
Yes, 3GP converts to MOV - and if the video track is H.264, FFmpeg can remux it in seconds with no quality…
How to convert
.3GP .MP3GUIDE
Yes - open VLC, use Convert/Save, and pick the MP3 audio profile; the whole process takes under a minute.
How to convert
.3GP .WAVGUIDE
Yes, you can convert 3GP to WAV - ffmpeg does it in one command and is the fastest option.
How to convert
.3GP .3G2GUIDE
Yes, 3GP converts to 3G2 easily with ffmpeg - a single command remuxes the file in seconds.
How to convert
.3GP .GIFGUIDE
Yes - ffmpeg converts 3GP to animated GIF on the command line; expect a large output file with a 256-color…
How to convert
Community Q&A
asked by users
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Frequently asked questions
How do I open a 3GP file?
Install the free VLC media player and double-click the file - it plays 3GP video and AMR audio on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Windows 11's Media Player also plays the video, but may be silent if it lacks the AMR audio codec.
Why does my 3GP have no sound?
Old 3GP files use AMR audio, which many desktop players don't include. Open the file in VLC, which bundles the AMR decoder, or convert the file to MP4 with HandBrake.
How do I convert 3GP to MP4?
Use HandBrake (free, MP4 preset) or VLC's Convert/Save. Because 3GP is essentially a restricted MP4, the conversion is fast and quality is preserved well.
What's the difference between 3GP and MP4?
3GP is a slimmed-down profile of MP4 made for old 3G phones - lower resolution, smaller size, often AMR audio. MP4 is the full cross-platform standard. They share the same underlying container, so they interconvert easily.
What's the difference between 3GP and 3G2?
3GP is the GSM/UMTS version (AMR audio); 3G2 is the 3GPP2 version for old CDMA networks (QCELP/EVRC audio). Same container family; both play in VLC.
Can I play 3GP on my phone?
Yes - Android plays 3GP natively (it's a native Android recording format). On iPhone, use VLC for Mobile if the built-in player won't handle the audio.
References
1MDN - Media container formats (3GP)developer.mozilla.org
23GPP TS 26.244 - Transparent end-to-end packet-switched streaming (3GP file format)www.3gpp.org
