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What is 3GP Video Format? How to Open & Play 3GP Files

Have you ever worked with 3GP file format before? If you haven’t, read the article below for a better understanding and to learn everything about it.

Max Wales
Max Wales
Sep 03, 25 • Proven solutions

Everyone uses the internet nowadays as it is a necessary part of our lives. We exchange multimedia files and texts messages on various apps. The files that we share on the internet have a specific extension for the files. It is essential to know about the different available and widely used formats so that you can use and access the file easily.

The article below will focus on and share great details about the 3GP file format. The multimedia format is popularly used for its great benefits, such as audio and video transfer. Do you want to know more about the 3GP format? Let's get started!

Part 1. What Is 3GP Video Format?

The multimedia files that we share on the internet have the extension as '.3GP'. It is an audio and video container made under the proprietorship of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project. The 3GP format stores and transmits the data that is shared between 3G-enabled devices. All 3G devices, along with some 2G and 4G devices, support 3GP file format video recording and playback.

Illustration showing how 3GP video format works for mobile data transfer

3GP format needs less broadband demand which makes the phone run fluently. Along with taking less space as compared to other formats, it saves multimedia content efficiently. 3GP file format was designed to match the high speed of data transition between 3G networks.  

Part 2. 3GP Format: Key Advantages and Disadvantages

The 3GP format was designed to work at a high level on 3G devices. The above section of this article sheds light on what the 3GP file format is. Now that you have adequate knowledge of the format, let's proceed and talk about the pros and cons of the file format.

Advantages of 3GP Format Disadvantages of 3GP Format
Small file size, saving disk space and data. Audio quality is reduced after compression.
Facilitates business connections and communication (sharing messages, videos, multimedia). Compatibility issues as not all programs support 3GP.
Low bandwidth and decreased mobile storage requirements. Video quality and resolution are compromised after compression.
Efficient for transferring and sharing video files. /
Fast for streaming and downloading, even with poor internet. /

Part 3. How Can You Open and Play 3GP Video Format?

Do you know there are various file formats and different platforms support different formats? If we specifically talk about the 3GP format, it is supported by VLC Media Player, QuickTime Player, and 5KPlayer. Let's discuss them:

VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is a free open-source platform that can play 3GP file format. It is developed by the VideoLAN project. VLC Media Player is a cross-platform media player software and media streamer available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Unix.

Mobile users can use it irrespective of the device type; Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod users can use it. VLC can be used to play 3GP format along with any format that you may encounter.

VLC Media Player interface displaying a video, showing its compatibility with 3GP files

QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player was made under Apple Inc. proprietorship. It is an extendible multimedia framework and can only be used on macOS devices because the Windows-supported version was ceased after 2016. It can handle picture and digital video formats, including a 3GP file format. Although, the MOV file extension represents the QuickTime Player. QuickTime Player is pre-installed on all Mac devices.

QuickTime Player on macOS interface, used for playing 3GP video format

5KPlayer

5KPlayer is developed under the proprietorship of DearMob. It is a music and video player. 5KPlayer has built-in support for AirPlay. You can stream audio and video via AirPlay without any loss in the quality of the media file. It supports different formats for multimedia, including a 3GP file format. 5KPlayer provides you the facility to download videos from 300+ sites, including YouTube, Vimeo, and Dailymotion.

5KPlayer interface, a versatile media player supporting 3GP video files

Steps to Open and Play 3GP Format on VLC Media Player

Now that you know about the different platforms that support the 3GP format let us share the steps on how you can open and play 3GP video files on VLC Media Player.

Step 1: After you have installed VLC Media Player on your device, launch it. Head to the 'Media' tab from the main screen by accessing the top menu. Or else, simply open VLC Media Player to drag and drop the media file there.

Screenshot showing how to access the 'Media' tab in VLC Media Player to open 3GP files

Step 2: Select the ‘Open File’ option from the Media section and locate the 3GP video file on your device. Add the file to VLC and enjoy watching it.

Screenshot of selecting 'Open File' in VLC Media Player to play a 3GP video

Part 4. How Edit 3GP Video More Creatively? 

What else could be better for editing your videos than Wondershare Filmora? Whenever you want a good video editor, you will find Filmora on top of the list. The video editor comes with an extensive range of features that you cannot even count. Moreover, it offers endless editing capabilities.

For editing unique and stunning 3GP format videos, try Filmora. It comes with both Basic and also Advanced editing features. Do you want to know more about it? Let us tell you. Filmora offers basic and standard editing tools like cut, trim, split, and join.

If we look at the advanced features, they include Green Screen, Scene Detection, Power Tool, Video Snapshot, and whatnot. Moreover, you also get various AI editing features like Auto Highlight, Auto Reframe, Auto Normalization, and much more than this.

What else does Filmora provide to its users? Let's share a step-by-step guideline about how to edit 3GP file format videos on Filmora along with its other features.

Step 1: Import 3GP Video File

Start by launching Filmora Video Editor on your device and head to the ‘File’ tab from the top menu bar. There, hover on the 'Import Media' option; this will open a sub-menu with an option of 'Import Media Files'; click on it.

Screenshot of importing a 3GP video file into Filmora for editing

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Step 2: Drag to Timeline

You can locate the video file from the device and import it to the software. After a successful import, the media file will appear on the screen, drag and drop it to the 'Timeline' to start the editing.

Screenshot of dragging a 3GP video from media library to Filmora's editing timeline

Step 3: Add Audio Effects

Start by adding audio effects to your video and making it more captivating. For this, head to the 'Audio' tab and select the most suitable sound from the provided options like Travel Vlog, Folk, Young & Bright, etc.

Screenshot of Filmora's 'Audio' tab, selecting effects to enhance a 3GP video

Step 4: Use Interesting Elements

What kind of elements do you like? With Filmora, you get Countdown, Laser Eye, Subscription, Share, and a lot other cooler options are available under the ‘Elements’ section.

Screenshot of adding a 'Countdown' element from Filmora's effects library to a video

Step 5: Add Attractive Titles

Are you looking for title templates? Have you looked at the 'Titles' section in Filmora? You will get beautiful templates according to the latest trends and occasions.

Screenshot of selecting 'Travel Titles' from Filmora's title templates for a video

Step 6: Export 3GP File

Once you are done, export the 3GP format file. For this, click on the ‘Export’ button, select the output file format and proceed to save the file.

Screenshot of exporting the edited 3GP video file from Filmora

Bottom Line

We hope that the above article has shared sufficient information with you regarding the 3GP file format. We discussed its pros and cons, ways to open it, and also edit it. As we are concluding, let’s talk a little more about Wondershare Filmora. The video editor is an excellent choice for editing and creating mind-blowing videos.

You get various Basic and also Advanced features that can enhance your video. With Filmora, you can efficiently work with features like Silence Detection, Keyframing, Advanced Color Tuning, and much more. If you wish to create fantastic videos, use Wondershare Filmora.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

Frequently Asked Questions about 3GP

Is 3GP format still used?

Yes, the 3GP format is still used, especially for multimedia transfer between 3G-enabled devices and some 2G and 4G devices. Its small file size and low bandwidth requirements make it efficient for sharing and streaming, particularly in areas with weaker internet connections.

Can I play 3GP files on my iPhone/Android?

Yes, many mobile devices, including iPhones and Android phones, can play 3GP files. Popular media players like VLC Media Player, which is available for both Android and iOS, fully support the 3GP format. QuickTime Player also supports 3GP on macOS devices, and 5KPlayer supports it across various platforms.

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