Convert 3GP to M4A on Mac
Select the 3GP files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose M4A and press Return. FileFlip saves each M4A next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert 3GP to M4A with FileFlip
Select the 3GP files
In Finder or on the Desktop. One file, or a whole folder with ⌘ A.
Press ⌥ F
FileFlip opens next to the selection and lists the formats it can make from 3GP. Type “M4A” to jump to it.
Choose M4A and press Return
The M4A files appear next to the originals with the same names. The 3GP files stay as they are.
3GP and M4A
Videos from older phones are often 3GP, which many modern apps and websites don’t accept. M4A with AAC gives small files that still sound good and play on Apple devices and most others.
What changes when you convert
- Only the soundtrack is kept; the picture is dropped.
- 3GP videos are usually low resolution, and converting won’t add detail.
| Property | 3GP | M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | 3GPP multimedia file | MPEG-4 Audio with AAC |
| Made by | 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) |
| Compression | Container for low-bitrate mobile video | Lossy (AAC) |
| Best for | Videos from older phones | Music, podcasts and voice recordings |
| Opens in | QuickTime Player and most media players | Apple devices, Android, Windows and most players |
| File extension | .3gp | .m4a |
| In FileFlip | Opens | Opens and saves |
Other ways on a Mac
For one file now and then you may not need FileFlip. These work with what’s already on your Mac.
QuickTime Player
Open the video in QuickTime Player and choose File → Export As → Audio Only. QuickTime saves the soundtrack as an .m4a file.
Good for one video at a time.
Terminal
macOS includes avconvert, which picks the file type from the extension you give the output.
avconvert --source clip.3gp \
--preset PresetAppleM4A --output clip.m4aBuilt into macOS. Run avconvert --help for other presets.
Questions about 3GP and M4A
What happens to the video?
The M4A file contains only the soundtrack. The 3GP stays untouched next to it.
Can I convert many 3GP files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose M4A. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where does M4A play?
Apple devices, Android, Windows and most players.
Where is the M4A file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .m4a extension. The 3GP file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert M4A back to 3GP?
No. FileFlip opens 3GP files but doesn’t save them.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. FileFlip converts files on your Mac and works with the internet turned off.
Convert all your videos at once
FileFlip also handles images, camera raw files, audio, PDFs, documents and data files. Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Coming soon for Mac