What Is a 3GP File?
Created by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), a file with the 3GP file extension is a 3GPP multimedia file. This video container format was developed with the intention to save on disk space, bandwidth, and data usage, which is why they’re often seen created from, and transferred between, mobile devices. It’s the required, standard format for media files sent using Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS).
3GP vs. 3G2
3G2 is a very similar format that includes some advancements, but also some limitations, compared to the 3GP format. While 3GP is the standard video format for GSM-based phones, CDMA phones use the 3G2 format as specified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Group 2 (3GPP2). Both file formats can store the same video streams, but the 3GP format is considered superior because it’s able to store ACC+ and AMR-WB+ audio streams. However, compared to 3G2, it cannot contain EVRC, 13K, and SMV/VMR audio streams. All that said, when it comes down to practical use of either, programs that can open and convert 3GP files are almost always the same that can work with 3G2 files.
How to Open a 3GP or 3G2 File
Although there may be some limitations, most mobile devices are almost always able to natively play 3GP/3G2 files. You can open either multimedia file on a computer as well. Commercial programs will work, of course, but there are also plenty of freeware 3GP/3G2 players. For example, you can use software like Apple’s free QuickTime media player, the free VLC media player, or MPlayer. You can also open 3G2 and 3GP files with Microsoft’s Windows Media Player, which is included in Windows. However, you might need to install a codec for them to display properly, like the free FFDShow MPEG-4 Video Decoder.
How to Convert a 3GP or 3G2 File
If the file doesn’t play on your computer or mobile device, converting it to a more usable format, like MP4, AVI, or MKV, can be done with one of these free video converter programs. One of our favorite free video converters that supports both formats is Any Video Converter. Zamzar is one example of a free file converter that convert these types of files on a web server, meaning no need to download any software yourself. Just upload your file to that site, and you’ll have the option to convert the file to the other format (3GP-to-3G2 or 3G2-to-3GP) as well as convert either to MP3, FLV, WEBM, WAV, FLAC, MPG, WMV, MOV, or to any other popular audio or video format. However, since they both use the same codec, you might have luck renaming the file to one with the .MP4 extension if the device you want to play the file on is a little picky in that regard. The same is true for .3GPP files.
Still Can’t Open It?
If your file doesn’t open at this point, there’s a good chance you’re misreading the file extension, confusing another format for this one. Some file extensions look really similar, which can lead one to believe that the formats are similar, too. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. 3PE files, for example, might at first glance appear to have something to do with the formats described on this page, but they’re really forms used by TurboTax. G3, which is used for fax images, could also be misread as 3GP. One that looks a lot like 3G2 is 323, which are H.323 Internet Telephony files used by some video conferencing applications. If your file doesn’t actually end in the file extensions explained here, research the letters/numbers that you do see to learn more about the format and what program you need to open or convert it.
