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Convert 3GP to M4R - Turn Videos Into iPhone Ringtones

Extract audio from 3GP mobile videos and create custom iPhone ringtones.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format

Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format

Step 3: Convert files

Read Terms of use before using

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Turn Mobile Video Audio Into iPhone Ringtones

You have old 3GP video files from a previous phone and want to use the audio as an iPhone ringtone. The problem is iPhones only accept M4R format for custom ringtones.

Our converter extracts the audio track from your 3GP video and converts it directly to M4R format. In our testing, the conversion takes just seconds and produces ringtones that work perfectly with any iPhone model.

How to Convert 3GP to M4R

Upload your 3GP file - Drag and drop or tap to select your mobile video
Select M4R as output - Choose M4R for iPhone ringtone compatibility
Download your ringtone - Get your M4R file ready for iPhone

The entire process happens in your browser. No software installation required.

What Is 3GP Format?

3GP is a video container format designed for 3G mobile phones. Before smartphones became universal, older phones like Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and early Samsung devices recorded video in 3GP format. These files are small and optimized for mobile storage and playback.

The format typically contains video encoded with H.263 or MPEG-4 and audio in AMR or AAC codec. While modern smartphones have moved on to MP4, many people still have 3GP files from the 2000s and early 2010s stored on old memory cards or backups.

Understanding M4R Format

M4R is Apple's dedicated ringtone format for iPhone. Technically, it's nearly identical to M4A (MPEG-4 audio) but with a different file extension that tells iOS to treat it as a ringtone rather than a regular audio file.

Key M4R requirements:

Maximum length - iPhone ringtones are limited to 40 seconds (30 seconds recommended)
Audio codec - Uses AAC encoding for high quality at small file sizes
File extension - Must be .m4r for iPhone to recognize it as a ringtone

Our converter handles all these technical requirements automatically.

Common Use Cases

Memorable Video Clips

That funny video from 2008 with your friend's catchphrase? Extract the audio and hear it every time someone calls. Nostalgic audio clips make unique ringtones that stand out from default options.

Old Music Recordings

Some people recorded concerts, live performances, or casual music sessions on older phones. Converting these 3GP recordings to M4R lets you use those audio moments as ringtones.

Voice Messages

Older phones sometimes saved voice messages as 3GP files. Convert a special message from a loved one into a ringtone you'll hear whenever they call.

Quality Considerations

3GP files from older phones typically have lower audio quality than modern recordings. The audio was usually compressed at lower bitrates to save storage space on limited phone memory.

When converting to M4R, the output quality depends on the source. We preserve the original audio fidelity without adding compression artifacts. For best results, choose 3GP files that had clear audio to begin with.

If your 3GP audio sounds muffled or distorted, that's likely from the original recording. Consider using a higher-quality source if available, such as an MP3 to M4R conversion.

After Conversion: Adding to iPhone

Once you have your M4R file, getting it onto your iPhone requires a few steps:

Using Mac - Connect iPhone, drag M4R into Finder sidebar under your device, sync
Using Windows - Use iTunes to add the M4R file, then sync to your iPhone
Using GarageBand - Import audio on iPhone directly and export as ringtone

After syncing, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone to select your custom tone.

Alternative Target Formats

Not sure M4R is right for your needs? Consider these alternatives:

3GP to MP3 - For general audio playback on any device
3GP to M4A - For Apple Music library, podcasts, or audiobooks
3GP to AAC - For high-quality audio with smaller file size

Choose M4R specifically when your goal is creating an iPhone ringtone or text tone.

Pro Tip

For the best ringtone, choose a 3GP clip with clear audio and a distinct sound in the first 3-5 seconds. This ensures you hear the recognizable part before answering the call.

Common Mistake

Converting the entire video audio when you only need a short segment. Trim your audio to 20-30 seconds before conversion to avoid awkward silence or cut-off moments in your ringtone.

Best For

Turning nostalgic video clips from old mobile phones into unique iPhone ringtones. Perfect for memorable audio moments you want to hear when specific contacts call.

Not Recommended

If your 3GP audio has poor quality from the original recording, consider finding a higher-quality source. Low-quality ringtones can be hard to hear or sound unpleasant.

Frequently Asked Questions

3GP is a video container format created for 3G mobile phones. Popular in the 2000s, it was used by Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and other pre-smartphone devices. Files contain video and audio optimized for limited mobile storage and bandwidth.

M4R is Apple's ringtone format for iPhone. It uses AAC audio encoding and is essentially the same as M4A but with a different extension that tells iOS to treat it as a ringtone rather than a music file.

iPhone ringtones can be up to 40 seconds long, though Apple recommends 30 seconds or less. If your 3GP audio is longer, you may need to trim it after conversion or select a shorter clip.

The output quality depends on your source file. 3GP files from older phones often have lower audio quality due to compression. We preserve the original fidelity without adding new compression artifacts.

Yes. Upload multiple 3GP files and convert them all to M4R in a single batch. This is useful if you have several video clips you want to turn into ringtones.

Connect your iPhone to a computer and use Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to add the M4R file. After syncing, go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Ringtone to select your custom tone.

Yes, our converter works in any mobile browser including Safari on iPhone and Chrome on Android. Convert 3GP to M4R right from your phone without needing a computer.

iPhone specifically requires M4R format for ringtones. While MP3 works for music playback, it won't appear in your ringtone options. M4R is the only format that works for custom iPhone ringtones.

Android phones don't need M4R format. For Android ringtones, convert your 3GP to MP3 instead. Android accepts MP3 files directly as ringtones without special formatting.