Why convert MP4 videos to 3GP format?

Converting MP4 to 3GP helps create smaller, low-bitrate video files optimized for older mobile devices and networks with limited bandwidth.

Will my video quality decrease after conversion?

Yes, converting to 3GP usually results in lower resolution and bitrate, causing a noticeable reduction in video quality compared to the original MP4.

Can 3GP files play on modern smartphones?

While 3GP files are primarily intended for legacy devices, some modern players support them; however, many devices prefer newer formats like MP4 or WebM.

Are subtitles and multiple audio tracks preserved after conversion?

No, 3GP format has limited support and typically does not retain subtitles, multiple audio tracks, or chapter metadata from MP4 files.

Convert Your Video to the 3GP Format Easily Online

Learn how to convert MP4 videos to the 3GP format quickly and efficiently with our online converter tool. Ideal for creating small, low-bitrate videos compatible with legacy mobile devices and constrained networks.

Upload Your File | Maximum Size Upto 25MB

Quick Access To 21 MP4 File Conversion Pairs

What Is This Tool?

This online converter allows you to transform MP4 video files into the 3GP format. It is designed to create smaller, low-resolution video files suitable for older mobile phones and networks with limited bandwidth. The tool re-encodes video and audio streams to formats compatible with 3GP containers, enabling easy playback and sharing on legacy devices.

How to Use This Tool?

Upload your MP4 video file from your device or cloud storage.
Select 3GP as the output format for your conversion.
Click the convert button to start the re-encoding process.
Download the converted 3GP file when the process completes.
Play or send the resulting 3GP video on compatible legacy devices or networks.

Key Features

Supports converting MP4 video files to 3GP format optimized for mobile use.
Produces small files with lower resolution and bitrate for legacy device compatibility.
Handles common mobile codecs like H.263, MPEG-4 Part 2, H.264 for video and AMR, AAC for audio.
Simple and fast browser-based conversion process without needing installation.
Enables creating MMS-friendly video attachments for constrained mobile networks.

Examples

Convert a high-resolution smartphone MP4 video to a low-bitrate 3GP file suitable for sending as an MMS attachment.
Create a small 3GP sample clip from an MP4 to test playback on older feature phones.
Produce a legacy-compatible 3GP version of a modern MP4 video for archival or compatibility testing.

Common Use Cases

Preparing video clips for playback on feature phones or early smartphones with limited media support.
Sending low-bitrate videos via MMS or slow mobile data connections.
Archiving short sample clips for format compatibility testing or legacy device support.
Reducing video file size to fit constrained storage or bandwidth requirements on mobile devices.

Tips & Best Practices

Use this conversion when targeting devices or networks that require low-resolution, low-bitrate videos.
Expect some quality loss due to re-encoding to mobile-friendly codecs optimized for 3GP.
Avoid requiring advanced MP4 features like subtitles or multiple audio tracks, as these are not supported in 3GP.
Check compatibility of the resulting 3GP file with the intended playback device or application before wide distribution.

Limitations

Conversion involves quality degradation since 3GP is optimized for lower resolution and bitrate.
Some MP4 codecs (such as HEVC/H.265) must be re-encoded to a compatible codec for 3GP.
Advanced MP4 features like subtitles, multiple audio tracks, and chapter metadata are lost after conversion.
3GP is a legacy format that lacks modern container features and may not be supported by all current devices or players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert MP4 videos to 3GP format?: Converting MP4 to 3GP helps create smaller, low-bitrate video files optimized for older mobile devices and networks with limited bandwidth.
Will my video quality decrease after conversion?: Yes, converting to 3GP usually results in lower resolution and bitrate, causing a noticeable reduction in video quality compared to the original MP4.
Can 3GP files play on modern smartphones?: While 3GP files are primarily intended for legacy devices, some modern players support them; however, many devices prefer newer formats like MP4 or WebM.
Are subtitles and multiple audio tracks preserved after conversion?: No, 3GP format has limited support and typically does not retain subtitles, multiple audio tracks, or chapter metadata from MP4 files.

Key Terminology

MP4: A widely supported ISO Base Media File Format container used for storing video, audio, subtitles, and metadata with flexible codecs.
3GP: A multimedia container format designed for mobile devices and 3G networks, optimized for low-bitrate audio and video playback.
Codec: Software or hardware that compresses and decompresses digital media streams such as audio or video.

Quick Knowledge Check

What is a main advantage of converting MP4 to 3GP?

To increase video resolution and quality

To create smaller files suitable for legacy mobile devices

To add advanced subtitles and metadata

Which audio codecs are commonly supported in 3GP?

MP3 and FLAC

AMR and AAC

WAV and ALAC

What happens to multiple audio tracks after MP4 to 3GP conversion?

They are preserved intact

They are usually lost or unsupported

They are converted into subtitles