What is the 3GPP file format?
.3gpp is a multimedia file format, also known as .3gp. Developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project in 2001, it was designed for streaming video and multimedia messaging over 3G mobile networks. The format became popular on mobile devices because .3gpp files are typically smaller than those saved in other media formats - the compression trades some visual quality for reduced file size, using H.263, MPEG-4 Part 2, or H.264/AVC video alongside AMR or AAC audio.
.3gpp and .3gp are the same format; the longer spelling is less common but identical in content. Files are stored in binary using the ISO Base Media File Format (ISO-BMFF) - the same box/atom container shared by .mp4 and .mov. An ftyp box at byte offset 4 declares a brand such as 3gp4, 3gp5, or 3gp6, which governs which codecs are permitted by that profile. The CDMA counterpart is .3g2, using the separate 3GPP2 standard with QCELP or EVRC audio.
File conversion
.3gpp is a fairly popular legacy format, yet sometimes it is necessary to convert .3gpp files to another format. QuickTime supports .3gpp by default, so conversion to .mov is rarely needed. Converting a .3gpp file to .mp4 can improve compatibility with modern software and devices. Keep in mind that output quality depends heavily on the converter tool used.
Security & safety
RISK: LOW3GPP is a media container, not executable code, so a genuine 3GPP file is safe to play. Two cautions: a file named "clip.3gpp.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 "3GPP player/converter" downloads that bundle adware - VLC plays 3GPP natively and free.
Format details
in a nutshellPrograms that open 3GPP files
Windows2 apps
VLC media player
Open-source Drag the 3GPP 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 3GPP but VLC is safer for AMR audio. 
Linux2 apps
Android1 app
VLC for Android
Open-source Open the 3GPP in VLC; Android also plays it natively in its built-in players (it's a native Android format).
VLC for Mobile
Open-source Share the 3GPP to VLC; iOS's built-in players may not handle AMR audio, VLC does.
VLC / local player recommended
Open-source Browsers don't reliably play 3GPP (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), box/atom tree |
| Encoding | Binary (big-endian byte order) |
| Video codecs | H.263, MPEG-4 Part 2 (profiles 3gp4/3gp5), H.264/AVC (3gp6 and later) |
| Audio codecs | AMR-NB, AMR-WB, AAC-LC |
| MIME type | video/3gpp (audio/3gpp for audio-only files) |
| Magic bytes | "ftyp3gp" at byte offset 4 - ISO-BMFF ftyp box declaring a 3gp brand |
| Brand strings | 3gp4, 3gp5, 3gp6, 3gg6 - declared in the ftyp box; controls permitted codec profiles |
| Typical resolution | 176×144 (QCIF) to 352×288 (CIF); later devices up to 640×480 |
| Audio sample rates | 8 kHz (AMR-NB), 16 kHz (AMR-WB), up to 48 kHz (AAC) |
| Color space | 4:2:0 YCbCr, 8-bit per channel |
| Typical file size | 100 KB - 50 MB for short mobile clips |
| File structure | ftyp box → moov box (track tables) → mdat box (interleaved audio/video samples) |
| DRM support | OMA DRM (optional; used by some mobile operators; rare in modern usage) |
| CDMA counterpart | .3g2 (3GPP2 standard) - uses QCELP or EVRC audio instead of AMR |
| Superseded by | MP4/H.265 (HEVC) - modern smartphones record .mp4 natively; .3gpp is a legacy format |
| 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 |
3GPP conversions
Community Q&A
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