Convert 3GP to MOV on Mac
Select the 3GP files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose MOV and press Return. FileFlip saves each MOV next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert 3GP to MOV 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 “MOV” to jump to it.
Choose MOV and press Return
The MOV files appear next to the originals with the same names. The 3GP files stay as they are.
3GP and MOV
Videos from older phones are often 3GP, which many modern apps and websites don’t accept. MOV is the native video format on Mac and iPhone and works well in Apple’s apps.
What changes when you convert
- 3GP and MOV are both containers for the same kinds of video, so this is mostly about where the file has to play.
- 3GP videos are usually low resolution, and converting won’t add detail.
| Property | 3GP | MOV |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | 3GPP multimedia file | QuickTime movie |
| Made by | 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) | Apple |
| Compression | Container for low-bitrate mobile video | Container; usually H.264 or HEVC video |
| Best for | Videos from older phones | Video on Apple devices and in editing apps |
| Opens in | QuickTime Player and most media players | Apple devices, QuickTime Player, most players and editors; some websites and Windows apps prefer MP4 |
| File extension | .3gp | .mov |
| 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, choose File → Export As and pick a resolution. QuickTime saves a .mov 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 PresetHighestQuality --output clip.movBuilt into macOS. Run avconvert --help for other presets.
Questions about 3GP and MOV
Can I convert many 3GP files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose MOV. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the MOV file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .mov extension. The 3GP file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert MOV 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