ChangeMyFile - Free Online File ConverterChangeMyFile
Trusted by thousands of users worldwide

Convert MOV to 3GP - Videos for Any Mobile Phone

Transform QuickTime MOV files into compact 3GP videos. Perfect for mobile phones and MMS.

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

Share:fXin@
500+ Formats
Lightning Fast
100% Secure
Always Free
Cloud Processing

QuickTime Videos Not Playing on Your Phone?

You recorded a video on your Mac or received a MOV file, but your phone cannot play it. MOV is Apple's QuickTime format, and while it produces excellent quality, many mobile devices-especially older or budget models-simply do not support it.

Converting to 3GP format solves this problem instantly. 3GP was designed specifically for mobile phones, creating compact files that play on virtually any handset ever made. In our testing, a 50MB MOV file typically converts to under 5MB in 3GP format while maintaining watchable quality.

How to Convert MOV to 3GP

  1. Upload your MOV file - Drag and drop or click to select your QuickTime video
  2. Select 3GP as output - The converter automatically optimizes settings for mobile playback
  3. Download your 3GP video - Ready to transfer to your phone or send via MMS

The entire process runs in your browser. No software to install, no accounts to create, no file size limits for reasonable video lengths.

Why MOV and 3GP Are So Different

MOV and 3GP serve completely different purposes, which explains why conversion is often necessary:

MOV (QuickTime Movie)

  • Developed by Apple in 1991
  • Optimized for editing and high-quality playback
  • Large file sizes (typically 100MB+ per minute of HD video)
  • Excellent codec support including ProRes for professional work
  • Limited mobile device compatibility outside Apple ecosystem

3GP (Third Generation Partnership Project)

  • Created in 1998 specifically for mobile phones
  • Extremely small file sizes (often 90% smaller than MOV)
  • Works on virtually every mobile phone made since 2000
  • Supported by MMS messaging protocols worldwide
  • Lower quality but perfectly watchable on small screens

In our testing, 3GP files play smoothly on devices where MOV files would not even be recognized as video files.

When You Need MOV to 3GP Conversion

Sending Videos via MMS

MMS has strict size limits-usually 300KB to 1MB depending on carrier. MOV files are far too large for MMS. Converting to 3GP compresses the video enough to fit within carrier limits while keeping the content recognizable.

Older Feature Phones

Not everyone has a smartphone. Basic phones, feature phones, and older handsets typically support only 3GP for video playback. If you need to share video with someone using a non-smartphone, 3GP is often the only format that works.

Low-Bandwidth Networks

In areas with slow mobile data connections, streaming or downloading MOV files can be impractical. 3GP files load in a fraction of the time, making video sharing viable even on 2G networks.

Storage-Limited Devices

Phones with minimal storage cannot accommodate large video files. The 90%+ file size reduction from MOV to 3GP conversion means you can store many more videos on limited device memory.

Quality Expectations

3GP is a lossy format optimized for file size over quality. Here is what to expect:

  • Resolution - Typically reduced to 176x144 or 320x240 pixels (standard for mobile screens)
  • Bitrate - Lower than MOV to achieve small file sizes
  • Audio - Compressed using AMR codec optimized for voice
  • Playback - Smooth on mobile devices with limited processing power

The quality reduction is intentional-3GP prioritizes compatibility and file size. In our testing, videos remain perfectly watchable on phone screens, though you would notice quality loss on larger displays.

Alternative Formats to Consider

3GP is not always the best choice. Consider these alternatives based on your needs:

  • MOV to MP4 - If the recipient has a smartphone, MP4 offers better quality with broad compatibility
  • MOV to 3G2 - Updated version of 3GP with slightly better compression, supported by most devices that play 3GP
  • MOV to WEBM - Best for web sharing and modern browsers

Choose 3GP specifically when you need maximum compatibility with older or basic mobile phones, or when MMS sharing is required.

Batch Conversion for Multiple Videos

Have many MOV files to convert? Upload them all at once. Our converter processes multiple files simultaneously, saving you time compared to converting one by one. This is particularly useful when preparing an entire folder of videos for mobile device transfer.

Browser-Based Conversion

This converter works entirely in your web browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook supported
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge compatible
  • Works on tablets and phones too
  • No plugins or downloads required

Your files are processed locally for privacy-videos are not uploaded to remote servers for conversion.

Pro Tip

When converting for MMS, keep your original video under 30 seconds. MMS has strict size limits (usually 300KB-1MB), and even 3GP's efficient compression cannot fit lengthy videos within those constraints.

Common Mistake

Expecting 3GP to look as good as the original MOV. The format intentionally sacrifices quality for compatibility and small file size. If quality matters more than compatibility, convert to MP4 instead.

Best For

Sending short video clips via MMS, sharing videos with people using basic feature phones, or transferring videos to older devices with limited storage and processing power.

Not Recommended

Do not use 3GP for archival purposes, web publishing, or when the recipient has a modern smartphone. MP4 provides much better quality with nearly universal smartphone support.

Frequently Asked Questions

MOV is Apple's high-quality QuickTime format designed for editing and playback on computers. 3GP is a mobile phone format created for maximum compatibility and small file sizes. MOV files are typically 10-20 times larger than equivalent 3GP files.

Yes, 3GP uses aggressive compression to achieve small file sizes, which reduces quality. However, the quality is optimized for small phone screens where the difference is less noticeable than on computer monitors or TVs.

Yes, 3GP is specifically designed for MMS messaging. The small file size (typically under 1MB) fits within carrier MMS limits. Most carriers worldwide support 3GP video attachments in multimedia messages.

Virtually all mobile phones made since 2000 support 3GP, including basic feature phones, older smartphones, and modern devices. It was designed by mobile carriers specifically for universal mobile compatibility.

3GP files are typically 90% smaller than the original MOV. A 50MB MOV file often converts to 3-5MB in 3GP format. The exact reduction depends on video length and content complexity.

While 3GP was designed for older 3G phones, it remains useful for MMS messaging, legacy device support, and low-bandwidth situations. For modern smartphones, MP4 is generally a better choice offering higher quality with similar compatibility.

Technically yes, but you cannot recover the original quality. 3GP uses lossy compression-information is permanently removed during conversion. Converting back to MOV will not restore that lost quality.

No, audio is preserved during conversion. The audio track is re-encoded using AMR codec, which is optimized for voice but handles music and other sounds as well. Audio quality is reduced but remains audible.

Standard 3GP resolutions are 176x144 (QCIF) and 320x240 (QVGA). These were chosen to match typical mobile phone screen sizes. Higher resolutions are possible but defeat the format's purpose of maximum compatibility.

Yes, batch conversion is supported. Upload multiple MOV files and convert them all to 3GP simultaneously. This is faster than converting one at a time when processing entire folders of videos.

Yes, the MOV to 3GP converter is completely free. There are no hidden fees, watermarks, or account requirements. You can convert as many files as you need without payment.

3G2 is a newer version of 3GP with slightly better compression and support for additional codecs. If your target device supports both, 3G2 may provide marginally better quality. For maximum compatibility, especially with very old phones, stick with 3GP.

MOV Conversions & Related Converters

Quick access to the most commonly used file conversions.