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Convert WMV to 3GP - Play Videos on Any Mobile Phone

Transform Windows Media files into mobile-friendly 3GP format for legacy devices.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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WMV Files Not Playing on Your Phone?

You have a video in WMV format but your mobile phone refuses to play it. WMV is Microsoft's proprietary format-it works great on Windows computers but most mobile devices, especially older models, simply do not support it.

Converting to 3GP solves this problem. 3GP was specifically designed for mobile phones by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) back in 1998. It remains the most compatible format for older devices and basic feature phones. In our testing, 3GP files played successfully on mobile devices that rejected every other video format we tried.

How to Convert WMV to 3GP

  1. Upload your WMV file - Drag and drop or click to select your Windows Media Video
  2. Confirm 3GP output - 3GP is selected as the mobile-optimized target format
  3. Download your video - Get your mobile-ready video file instantly

The entire process happens in your browser. No software to install, no account required. Your WMV files convert directly to 3GP without any complicated settings.

Why Convert WMV to 3GP?

WMV and 3GP serve completely different purposes. Understanding their differences helps you decide when this conversion makes sense:

  • File size - In our testing, a 50MB WMV file typically converts to a 3GP file under 15MB. The reduction depends on resolution and quality settings, but 3GP consistently produces smaller files
  • Mobile compatibility - 3GP plays on virtually every mobile phone manufactured since 2000. WMV requires specific codec support that many phones lack
  • MMS support - 3GP is the standard format for Multimedia Messaging Service. MMS has file size limits (often 300KB-1MB), making 3GP's small size essential
  • Bandwidth efficiency - 3GP uses less data during transmission, important for users on limited mobile data plans

Technical Comparison: WMV vs 3GP

Both formats have their strengths. Here is how they compare technically:

WMV (Windows Media Video)

  • Container format based on ASF (Advanced Systems Format)
  • Developed by Microsoft for streaming video
  • Supports DRM protection for commercial content
  • Higher quality at larger file sizes
  • Primary codec: Windows Media Video 9

3GP (3GPP Multimedia)

  • Container format based on MPEG-4 Part 12
  • Developed by 3GPP for mobile networks
  • Supports H.263, H.264, and MPEG-4 video codecs
  • Optimized for low bandwidth and small storage
  • Audio typically uses AMR (Adaptive Multi-Rate) codec
  • Standard resolutions: 176x144 (QCIF) to 320x240 (QVGA)

In our testing, we found H.264-encoded 3GP files offered the best balance between quality and file size. The format handles motion well despite the lower resolution.

Common Use Cases

Sending Videos via MMS

Need to send a video clip via text message? MMS has strict size limits-usually between 300KB and 1MB depending on your carrier. 3GP is the standard MMS video format and achieves the compression needed to fit within these limits. Convert your WMV to MP4 if you need higher quality for smartphones, but stick with 3GP for basic MMS messaging.

Playing Videos on Legacy Phones

Feature phones and older smartphones (pre-2015) often lack support for modern video formats. 3GP remains universally supported on these devices. If you are sharing videos with someone using an older phone, 3GP is your safest choice.

Archiving for Low-Storage Devices

Some users maintain older devices with limited storage. A 3GP video takes a fraction of the space compared to WMV, allowing more videos on devices with small memory cards.

Reducing Data Usage

Transferring videos over slow or metered connections? 3GP's compact size means faster transfers and less data consumption. This matters when bandwidth is expensive or unreliable.

What Quality to Expect

3GP was designed for small screens and limited hardware. Here is what you should expect:

  • Resolution - Typical 3GP files range from 176x144 (QCIF) to 320x240 (QVGA). Do not expect HD quality
  • Frame rate - Usually 15-25 frames per second, suitable for mobile viewing
  • Audio - AMR codec provides clear voice audio but limited music quality

In our testing, 3GP quality is perfectly acceptable for watching on phone screens. The format was engineered for this exact use case. However, if you plan to watch on a computer or modern smartphone, consider WMV to MP4 for better quality.

When to Choose a Different Format

3GP is excellent for legacy devices but not always the best choice:

  • Modern smartphones - Use MP4 format instead. iPhones and Android devices handle MP4 natively with much better quality
  • Web upload - Most websites prefer MP4 or WEBM. 3GP may not be accepted
  • Editing - If you plan to edit the video later, convert to MP4 first. Most video editors do not support 3GP
  • Large screen viewing - The low resolution of 3GP looks poor on tablets, computers, or TVs

Use 3GP specifically when you need maximum compatibility with older mobile devices or when file size is the primary concern.

Device Compatibility

Our converter works entirely in your browser:

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

The resulting 3GP files play on:

  • Most 3G mobile phones
  • Many 2G and 4G devices with 3GP support
  • Feature phones from Nokia, Samsung, LG, Motorola, and others
  • Windows Media Player, QuickTime, and VLC on desktop

Batch Conversion

Have multiple WMV files to convert? Upload them all at once. Convert your entire video collection to 3GP format in a single batch-no need to process files one at a time. This is especially useful when preparing videos for a device with limited format support.

Pro Tip

When converting for MMS, aim for files under 300KB for maximum carrier compatibility. Some carriers accept up to 1MB, but smaller files have better delivery success rates across different networks.

Common Mistake

Converting to 3GP for viewing on modern smartphones or computers. The low resolution looks poor on high-definition screens. Use MP4 for any device made after 2015.

Best For

Sending short video clips to users with older feature phones, or when you need to send video via MMS with strict file size limits.

Not Recommended

Do not use 3GP if your recipient has a modern smartphone. Android and iPhone users should receive MP4 files instead for dramatically better quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

WMV (Windows Media Video) is Microsoft's format optimized for Windows computers and streaming. 3GP is a mobile-focused format developed by 3GPP for phones, designed for small file sizes and low bandwidth. WMV offers higher quality but larger files, while 3GP prioritizes compatibility with mobile devices.

Yes, 3GP is a lower-quality format by design. It uses resolutions like 176x144 or 320x240 to keep files small. This is acceptable for mobile phone screens but noticeable on larger displays. If quality is your priority, convert to MP4 instead.

Nearly all mobile phones manufactured since 2000 support 3GP playback. This includes 3G phones, many 2G and 4G devices, and feature phones from Nokia, Samsung, LG, and Motorola. Even some basic phones that reject other video formats can play 3GP files.

Yes, 3GP is the standard format for MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service). Its small file size fits within MMS limits, which typically range from 300KB to 1MB depending on your carrier. This is one of the main reasons to convert to 3GP.

File size reduction varies based on original quality and settings, but 3GP files are typically 50-70% smaller than equivalent WMV files. A 50MB WMV video might convert to a 10-15MB 3GP file, or even smaller at lower quality settings.

Most modern Android phones can play 3GP files. iPhones have limited native 3GP support but can play them with third-party apps. However, for modern smartphones, MP4 is a better choice as it offers higher quality and universal support.

3GP supports H.263, H.264 (AVC), and MPEG-4 Part 2 video codecs. For audio, it uses AMR-NB, AMR-WB, AAC-LC, or HE-AAC. H.264 provides the best quality-to-size ratio among these options.

Yes. Windows Media Player, Apple QuickTime, and VLC media player can all play 3GP files on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. VLC is the most reliable option as it handles all 3GP variants without requiring additional codecs.

Yes, our converter is completely free to use. There are no hidden fees, watermarks, or registration required. Just upload your WMV file, convert, and download your 3GP video.

3GP files typically use QCIF (176x144) or QVGA (320x240) resolution. These resolutions are optimized for small mobile phone screens and contribute to the format's compact file size.

Yes, batch conversion is supported. Upload multiple WMV files simultaneously and convert them all to 3GP in one operation. This saves time when processing video collections.

3GP remains relevant for sending videos via MMS, sharing with users who have older phones, transferring files over slow connections, and storing videos on low-capacity devices. It is also the only video format some legacy phones support.

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