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Convert 3GP to M4A - Modern Audio from Legacy Mobile Videos

Extract audio from old 3GP mobile recordings. Play on any modern device.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Old Mobile Videos, Modern Audio Format

Got 3GP files from an old phone sitting on a hard drive? These legacy mobile video files contain audio that you might want to keep - voice recordings, memorable moments, or music clips captured years ago.

The problem is 3GP is a relic from the early 3G mobile era. Most modern devices and apps don't play these files natively. Converting the audio to M4A gives you a format that works everywhere - iPhone, Android, iTunes, and any modern media player.

How to Convert 3GP to M4A

  1. Upload your 3GP file - Drag and drop or select from your device
  2. Choose M4A as the output format - Already optimized for quality and compatibility
  3. Download your M4A audio - Ready for any modern device or app

The entire process happens in your browser. No software to install, no account needed.

Why 3GP Needs Converting

3GP (3GPP) was developed for early 3G mobile networks. Back in the mid-2000s, phones had limited storage and slow connections, so videos were compressed heavily into this compact format.

The format served its purpose then, but today:

  • Limited player support - Most media players don't recognize 3GP files
  • No iTunes compatibility - Apple devices won't import 3GP audio
  • Editing software issues - Audio editors rarely support this format
  • Outdated codec - The compression methods are no longer standard

M4A solves all of these issues while actually improving audio quality through modern AAC encoding.

3GP vs M4A - Format Comparison

In our testing, M4A files converted from 3GP sources consistently delivered better playback quality and broader compatibility:

Feature3GPM4A
Primary useLegacy mobile videoModern audio
CompressionAMR/AAC (basic)AAC (advanced)
iTunes supportNoFull
iPhone playbackLimitedNative
Quality ceilingLow-mediumHigh
File sizeVery smallSmall

M4A uses the same AAC codec that powers iTunes and Apple Music. It's the natural upgrade path from 3GP audio.

When to Use This Conversion

Rescuing Old Voice Recordings

Those voice memos from your old Nokia or early Samsung phone? Convert them to M4A so you can actually listen to them on your current devices.

Archiving Mobile Video Audio

Want just the audio from old video clips? This conversion extracts the sound track and re-encodes it in a modern format for long-term storage.

Podcast or Project Material

If you're using audio from old mobile recordings in a project, M4A gives you an editing-friendly format that audio software actually recognizes.

Alternative Formats to Consider

M4A is ideal for Apple ecosystem and general use, but depending on your needs:

  • 3GP to MP3 - Maximum compatibility if M4A seems too Apple-specific
  • 3GP to WAV - Uncompressed audio for editing or archival purposes
  • 3GP to AAC - Same codec as M4A but different container, works in more players

For most users converting old mobile recordings, M4A hits the right balance of quality, size, and compatibility.

Works on Any Device

Our converter runs entirely in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets

No downloads, no installations. Upload, convert, download - done.

Pro Tip

3GP files often have audio recorded at low bitrates (8-32 kbps AMR). Converting to M4A at 128 kbps AAC won't magically add detail, but it will ensure the audio plays correctly on modern devices without additional decoding issues.

Common Mistake

Expecting high-fidelity audio from old 3GP recordings. These files were made for phones with tiny speakers over slow networks. The conversion preserves what's there, but the source quality is usually limited.

Best For

Rescuing audio from old mobile phone recordings - voice memos, video sound tracks, and memorable audio clips stored in legacy 3GP format that won't play on current devices.

Not Recommended

If you need the video too, don't use this conversion. 3GP to M4A extracts only audio. For video preservation, convert to MP4 or another video format instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

3GP is a multimedia container format created for 3G mobile phones in the early 2000s. It was designed for devices with limited storage and slow network connections. The format can contain both video and audio, typically using AMR or AAC codecs for sound.

The conversion won't add quality that wasn't in the original, but it will preserve what's there using modern AAC encoding. M4A is a more efficient container that handles audio better than the aging 3GP format, so playback quality often sounds cleaner.

Yes. M4A is Apple's preferred audio format. iPhones play M4A files natively without any additional apps. The files also sync seamlessly with iTunes and Apple Music.

Yes. The converter runs in your mobile browser. You can upload 3GP files and download M4A audio directly on your Android device. Most Android music players handle M4A without issues.

Typically a few seconds for standard mobile recordings. 3GP files from old phones are usually small, so conversion is fast. Longer recordings may take up to a minute depending on your internet speed.

Yes. Upload several 3GP files and convert them all in one batch. Each file will be processed and available for download as a separate M4A file.

No. M4A uses AAC compression which is more advanced than MP3. At the same file size, M4A typically sounds better. M4A is also the native format for iTunes and Apple devices, while MP3 has broader compatibility with older devices.

The video portion is discarded. This conversion extracts only the audio track from your 3GP file and saves it as M4A. If you need to keep the video, convert to a video format like MP4 instead.

Conversion happens in your browser. Your 3GP files are processed locally on your device, not uploaded to external servers. Your recordings stay private throughout the process.

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