.3GP File Extension
3GPP Multimedia File
| Developer | Third Generation Partnership Project |
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What is a 3GP file?
A 3GP file is a multimedia file saved in an audio and video container format developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It stores video and audio streams transmitted between 3G mobile phones and over the Internet.
More Information
3GPP is a multimedia container format based on the ISO media file format. It stores video streams as H.263 or H.264 and audio streams as AMR-WB, AMR-WB+, AMR-NB, HE-AAC v1, AAC-LC, or Enhanced aacPlus.
3GP files are commonly used by 3G mobile phones that support video capture but may also be played on select 2G and 4G phones. An example of when you might encounter a 3GP video is when you are in a message thread with Android and iPhone users, and one of the users shares a recorded video with the whole thread. While 3GP files are still used, they have decreased as more efficient video formats have replaced the 3GPP format.
NOTE: 3GP files may also be saved as .3GPP files.
How to open a 3GP file
You can open 3GP files with Microsoft Media Player (bundled with Windows) and Apple QuickTime Player (bundled with macOS). You can also open the videos with VideoLAN VLC media player (multiplatform), MPlayer (multiplatform), olimsoft OPlayer (iOS), and PANDORA.TV KMPlayer (Android).
How to convert a 3GP file
In Windows, macOS, and Linux, you can convert a 3GP file to various video formats, including .MP4, .WEBM, and .ASF, with VideoLAN VLC media player.
In macOS, you can also convert a 3GP file to a .MOV file in Apple QuickTime Player, by selecting .