MP4 to 3GP Converter
Convert MP4 to 3GP free — no upload, no signup
To convert MP4 to 3GP, drop your MP4 video into the box below and click Convert. Fylo converts with ffmpeg running inside your browser, so nothing is uploaded and there's no signup or watermark. 3GP output is capped at 720p for small files that old phones can play.
Drop videos here
or tap to browse · paste with Ctrl+V · add many at once
Your files never leave your device
If the video already uses codecs that fit the new format, Fylo repackages it instantly with no quality loss.
Advanced
How to convert MP4 to 3GP
Add your MP4 videos
Drag and drop MP4 files into the box or tap to choose them. The converter engine (about 31 MB) downloads once, the first time you convert.
Choose quality (optional)
Balanced quality suits most videos. If the codecs already fit 3GP, Fylo repackages the file instead of re-encoding it, with no quality loss.
Convert and download
Click Convert, then download each 3GP file or all of them as one ZIP.
Why convert MP4 to 3GP?
Basic feature phones, older Nokia and Samsung handsets and some MMS gateways only play 3GP. Converting shrinks a video into something those devices can handle.
What happens when you convert MP4 to 3GP?
Fylo re-encodes to H.264 Baseline profile — the most compatible profile for phones — limits the size to 720p and uses 96 kbps AAC audio. Files get noticeably smaller than the MP4, with some loss of detail.
How does Fylo convert MP4 to 3GP?
Fylo reads the MP4 with ffmpeg compiled to WebAssembly and writes H.264 Baseline profile capped at 720p with 96 kbps AAC audio. MP4's usual codecs (H.264, H.265/HEVC, AV1) can't go into 3GP as-is, so the video is re-encoded. Speed depends on your device: short phone clips take seconds, while on our slow test PC a 2-minute 1080p video took about 10 minutes. Only the first video and audio track are kept, and larger videos are scaled down to 720p (or 480p if you choose it).
What's the difference between MP4 and 3GP?
MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is a container format standardised in 2001 and based on Apple's QuickTime file structure. A container holds separately compressed video and audio streams plus metadata such as subtitles, chapters and cover art. Most MP4s use H.264 video and AAC audio; newer files may use H.265 (HEVC) or AV1.
3GP was defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project for 3G mobile phones and MMS messaging. It's based on the same ISO media structure as MP4 but restricted to phone-friendly codecs such as H.263 or H.264 Baseline video and AMR or AAC audio.
Learn more: MP4 format guide · 3GP format guide
| Property | MP4 | 3GP |
|---|---|---|
| Developed by | MPEG (ISO/IEC 14496-14) | 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) |
| Introduced | 2001 | 2002 |
| Typical video codecs | H.264, H.265/HEVC, AV1 | H.263, H.264 (Baseline) |
| Typical audio codecs | AAC, MP3 | AMR, AAC |
| Plays in web browsers | Yes — every browser | Partly |
| Compatibility | Universal: phones, TVs, editors, social media | Old feature phones, most media players |
| Best for | Sharing, uploading, streaming, editing | Very small videos for old phones and MMS |
Frequently asked questions
Does 3GP reduce quality?
Yes, somewhat: it's designed for small screens, so resolution and bitrate are reduced.
Can modern phones play 3GP?
Yes, most can, but MP4 looks better and is the modern standard.
Is my MP4 file uploaded to a server?
No. Fylo runs ffmpeg, the same engine used by professional video tools, compiled to WebAssembly inside your browser. Your MP4 file is read directly from your device and never sent anywhere.
Related tools
Updated