[2025 Complete Guide] How to Freely Convert MP4 to 3GP on PC, Android Phone, Online

Part 1: What Is the Difference Between MP4 and 3GP?

3GP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is a multimedia container format designed for mobile communication devices. It aims to minimize file size within limited bandwidth and storage space to accommodate the needs of early 2G/3G networks and mobile phones. MP4 is a shortened name for MPEG-4 Part 14. Sometimes it is also known as MPEG-4 AVC, the AVC standing for Advanced Video Coding. As this name suggests, it is a format used for encoding digital video files. It is now gaining ever more popularity in the mainstream market.

To show their differences more intuitively, please see the comparison below:

	3GP	MP4
Video Quality	low resolution (176x144, 320x240) low bitrate	SD, HD, 4K, 8K
File Size	Very small	Variable depending on quality and encoding (can be very small or very large)
Encoding	H.263, MPEG-4 Part 2, AMR	H.264, H.265, AV1, AAC, Opus
Applications	Old mobile phone video, MMS	Almost all use cases (web video, photography, broadcasting, etc.)
Exist or Not	Obsolete and basically eliminated	Current standard format

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Part 2: How to Convert MP4 to 3GP for Free - MP4 to 3GP Converter on PC

Although converting high-definition MP4 to low-quality 3GP seems to be a "reverse operation" nowadays, using Any Video Converter (Trustpilot Review: 4.8/5) to complete this task does have obvious advantages under certain circumstances:

1. Extreme Compression, Significantly Reducing File Size

The 3GP format was designed for extremely small file sizes. Any Video Converter efficiently compresses large MP4 videos into very small 3GP files without quality loss, saving valuable storage space (on older phones or small-capacity memory cards) and greatly facilitating transfer via email or others.

2. Excellent Device Compatibility Guaranteed

If you need to prepare videos for phones from more than ten years ago, old car players, or other specific devices that only support the 3GP format, Any Video Converter can ensure that the converted videos can definitely be recognized and played on these devices, avoiding the trouble of unsupported formats.

Check the supported file formats >>

3. Flexible Preset Parameter Adjustment

Any Video Converter still allows you to fine-tune parameters before conversion. You can select the appropriate video resolution (176x144 or 320x240), adjust the video bitrate and frame rate, and more. This ensures you can maintain the output quality while meeting extremely small file size requirements.

4. Feature-Rich Video Toolbox

Any Video Converter is more than just a format conversion tool. It has developed into a feature-rich video toolbox: Video Download, Speech to Text, AI Trimmer, AI Audio Splitter, AI Video Quality Enhancer, etc. You can download 1080P and even 4K videos directly from thousands of websites (YouTube, Instagram, Vimeo, Facebook, BitChute, and more). You can also use AI to quickly and precisely trim video clips and quickly remove ads. Furthermore, you can even use AI to separate the vocal and instrumental parts of a song (or audio clip), generating two separate audio files for remixing or secondary creation. Any Video Converter has all the features that you can't imagine.

Step-by-Step Guidance on How to Convert MP4 to 3GP

Click the button above to download Any Video Converter from the official website. Once downloaded, you can install and launch it.

Simply click the "Format Convert" tool to import one or more MP4 video files. Batch video conversions are supported.

In the "Output Profile" list, you can choose "(*.3gp)" as the output video format. For better enjoying videos on your portable media devices, you can choose other output formats and customize video and audio options, such as video/audio codec, video/audio bitrate, disable audio, etc.

Click the "Convert Now" button to start converting MP4 to 3GP freely. Once the conversion is finished, you can click the "" folder icon and find the output 3GP video on your computer. Then enjoy the 3GP videos and have fun!

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Part 3: 2025 MP4 to 3GP Converters Free Online

The safest way to convert MP4 to 3GP is to install software on your computer. However, if you want to quickly convert MP4 to 3GP online, here are 5 online MP4 to 3GP converters you can try.

1. FreeConvert

Trustpilot Review: Unknown

FreeConvert is a completely web-based online file conversion tool. Its core feature is "free". No software downloads or installations are required; simply visit the website through your browser to convert between various formats. It converts MP4 files to 3GP from local devices, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and URLs. All conversions are performed on cloud servers, eliminating the need for local computer resources or storage space.

Cons:

❌ Maximum MP4 file size is 1GB.

❌ Severely dependent on network conditions.

❌ Multiple conversion tasks need to wait in the queue.

❌ Can't adjust encoding parameters for free.

❌ There is a certain risk of privacy leakage.

❌ The conversion process may be unstable during peak periods.

2. Zamzar

Trustpilot Review: 4.3/5

Zamzar is a well-established online converter with nearly 20 years of service. Its most notable feature is its wide support for file formats, including common document formats (PDF, Word, Excel), audio formats (MP3, WAV, AAC), video formats (MP4, AVI, 3GP), and image formats (JPEG, PNG, and TIFF). This MP4 to 3GP converter implements a privacy protection mechanism for all uploaded files, promising to automatically delete them from the server within 24 hours.

Cons:

❌ The free version can only convert 2 files per day.

❌ Conversion speed is affected by network conditions.

❌ Multiple conversion tasks need to wait in the queue.

❌ Video files must not exceed 50MB.

❌ The converted 3GP files will lose quality.

3. Convertio

Trustpilot Review: 4.9/5

Since its founding in 2014, Convertio has become one of the world's top 1,000 most visited websites. It supports over 25,600 conversions between 300+ formats, including audio, video, images, documents, e-books, fonts, and more. Simply upload your file from your computer or cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox to the Convertio website. Then, adjust the video resolution, frame rate, codec, quality, and other parameters to start converting your MP4 videos to 3GP.

Cons:

❌ Only convert MP4 files up to 100MB for free.

❌ Only two files can be converted at the same time.

❌ There is a limit of 10 conversion minutes per day for free.

❌ Unstable conversion speed.

4. 123APPS

Trustpilot Review: 3.6/5

123APPS Video Converter allows you to convert, edit, and compress videos directly from your browser. Unlike other services, this free MP4 to 3GP converter supports uploading video files up to 4GB and has no limit on the number of files you can convert. Before converting, you can also select the desired video/audio codec and the approximate output file size. In addition to the Video Converter, 123APPS also offers a range of online multimedia tools: Video Editor, Screen Recorder, Audio Converter, and more.

Cons:

❌ Uploading and converting speed depends on your internet connection.

❌ Custom settings are relatively basic.

❌ The file needs to be uploaded to a third-party server.

5. Clideo

Trustpilot Review: 4.8/5

All Clideo tools run in the browser and are compatible with various operating systems (Windows, macOS) and devices. Clideo supports conversions between many popular video formats, including MP4, AVI, MOV, MKV, and 3GP. It also offers some simple video editing features, such as cropping, trimming, compressing, and merging, and you can even add text, stickers, and images to your videos. While Clideo offers a free version, it does have some limitations.

Cons:

❌ Upload video files up to 500 MB for free.

❌ Visitors do not have optimal processing speed.

❌ The output will have a watermark (video editing tools).

Comparison of Online MP4 to 3GP Converters and Any Video Converter

	Online MP4 to 3GP Converters	Any Video Converter
Method	No installation required	Download Win Download Mac
Processing Speed	Slow (limited by network speed)	Fast (hardware acceleration with 130x faster speed)
File Restrictions	Convert small files	No limit on file size
Security	Lower	Reliable (files are processed locally only)
Feature	Basic conversion	Rich video toolbox (download, conversion, editing, AI tools)
Application	Conversion of urgent and small files	For frequent, large-volume, large-file conversions requiring high quality and advanced features

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Part 4: 2025 Popular MP4 to 3GP Converters on Android Phone

In addition to converting MP4 to 3GP online and on your PC, you can also convert MP4 to 3GP on your mobile phone using the following 3 MP4 to 3GP converter apps. The biggest advantage of MP4 to 3GP converter apps is that you can complete the conversion anytime and anywhere as long as you have your mobile phone in hand, which is very suitable for immediate and emergency processing needs.

1. Mp4 to 3gp Converter

Google Play Store Ratings: Unknown

Mp4 to 3gp Converter is an app designed specifically for converting MP4 video files to 3GP on Android. The app usually has a fast conversion speed that can complete the video conversion in a short time. However, its drawbacks are significant. First, the conversion time will be longer for larger MP4 videos. Second, the conversion process will be affected by the performance of the mobile phone processor. Outdated devices will cause the conversion speed to be slower or even stuck.

2. Video Converter, Compressor

Google Play Store Ratings: 4.8/5

Video Converter, Compressor is a video conversion and compression tool for Android and iPhone. Its key feature is to convert between various video formats, including MP4 to 3GP. Beyond format conversion, the app also integrates a number of useful video tools: video compression, video merger, audio converter, and more. However, compared to the professional desktop software Any Video Converter, its advanced settings are much more limited. Furthermore, the free version is often filled with numerous ads, which can only be removed by upgrading to the Pro version.

3. Mp4 to 3GP Converter Pro

Google Play Store Ratings: 4.4/5

Mp4 to 3GP Converter Pro is somewhat similar to Mp4 to 3gp Converter in both name and functionality. Just simply upload your MP4 file to the app and convert it to 3GP format with a single click, which is easy and convenient for you. Compared to Video Converter, Compressor, Mp4 to 3GP Converter Pro has fewer ads. While compared to some professional video editing software, its features are more basic and may not meet the needs of advanced video editing.

Comparison of MP4 to 3GP Converter Apps and Any Video Converter

	MP4 to 3GP Converter Apps	Any Video Converter
Price	Free but contain ads	Free Convert on Win Free Convert on Mac no ads
Processing Speed	Depends on the device system	Supports batch conversion and fast conversion speed (GPU acceleration)
Output Format	Mainly supports 3GP and a few other formats	Supports 1000+ formats (3GP, MP4, MKV, MOV, MP3, etc.)
Feature	Mainly focusing on format conversion	Rich video toolbox (download, conversion, editing, AI tools)
Application	Suitable for occasional urgent need to convert MP4 to 3GP format on mobile phones	Suitable for frequent and large-file conversions requiring high quality and advanced features

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Part 5: FAQ About MP4 to 3GP Video Converter

Q1: Can I also convert 3GP to MP4 for free without harming my laptop?

Sure. Any Video Converter can convert 3GP to MP4 for free without causing any damage to your laptop. It is a powerful video conversion tool that supports conversion between 3GP and MP4.

Q2: Is MP4 better than 3GP?

Nowadays, the MP4 format is more popular due to its high quality and versatility. If you need high-quality video and have good device storage and network conditions, MP4 is the better choice. However, the 3GP format can still be useful in certain situations (such as older mobile devices or low-bandwidth networks).

Q3: Can I convert YouTube videos to 3GP format?

Yes, you can easily convert YouTube videos to 3GP format using Any Video Converter.

Step 1: Launch Any Video Converter.

Step 2: Use "Video Downloader" to download YouTube videos. Please check: How to Download Videos >>

Step 3: Switch to the "Format Convert" tool and upload the downloaded YouTube videos.

Step 4: Select 3GP as the output format in "Output Profile."

Step 5: Click the "Convert Now" button, and the software will automatically start the conversion process.

Q4: Can I convert MP4 to 3GP using HandBrake or VLC?

Unfortunately, the official versions of VLC and HandBrake do not have a direct default 3GP output format.

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Conclusion

I believe you now have a clear understanding of how to convert MP4 to 3GP. Whether you need to play videos on older devices or meet specific file size limits, choosing the MP4 to 3GP converter is crucial.

If you're looking for high quality, efficiency, and a wide range of features (downloading, editing, and batch processing), professional desktop software like Any Video Converter is your best choice. It not only converts quickly but also offers powerful tools like video downloading and AI-powered video editing toolswithout having to worry about network latency or privacy issues.

If you need to quickly and temporarily process a small file online, you can try online tools, but be aware of file size limits, network dependencies, and potential privacy risks.

If you don't have access to a computer and need to urgently process your video on your phone, various MP4 to 3GP converter apps available in the App Store can provide a quick fix, but they often come with ads, limited functionality, and potential loss of image quality.