Convert 3GP to MP4 on Mac
Select the 3GP files in Finder, press ⌥ F, choose MP4 and press Return. FileFlip saves each MP4 next to its original and works without an internet connection.
How to convert 3GP to MP4 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 “MP4” to jump to it.
Choose MP4 and press Return
The MP4 files appear next to the originals with the same names. The 3GP files stay as they are.
3GP and MP4
Videos from older phones are often 3GP, which many modern apps and websites don’t accept. MP4 plays almost everywhere and is what websites and chat apps expect.
What changes when you convert
- 3GP and MP4 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 | MP4 |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | 3GPP multimedia file | MPEG-4 Part 14 |
| Made by | 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) |
| Compression | Container for low-bitrate mobile video | Container; usually H.264, HEVC or AV1 video |
| Best for | Videos from older phones | Sharing and uploading video |
| Opens in | QuickTime Player and most media players | Practically everywhere: phones, browsers, TVs, Windows and video sites |
| File extension | .3gp | .mp4 |
| 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.
iMovie
iMovie is free from Apple. Add the clip to a project, choose File → Share → File and save; iMovie exports an .mp4 file.
Re-encodes the video. QuickTime Player can only export .mov.
Terminal
macOS includes avconvert, which picks the file type from the extension you give the output.
avconvert --source clip.3gp \
--preset PresetHighestQuality --output clip.mp4Built into macOS. Run avconvert --help for other presets.
Questions about 3GP and MP4
Can I convert many 3GP files at once?
Yes. Select them all in Finder, press ⌥ F and choose MP4. Progress moves to the menu bar, so you can close the panel and keep working.
Where is the MP4 file saved?
Next to the original, with the same name and the .mp4 extension. The 3GP file isn’t changed. In Settings you can choose a different folder instead.
Can I convert MP4 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