3GP File Extension
3GPP Multimedia Format
- File Type 3gp
- Developer Third Generation Partnership Project
- Popularity
- Application Wondershare Video Editor
- Category Video Files
- Format Binary
What is a 3GP file?
Files with the 3GP extension are specifically tied to 3GPP Multimedia Format, a Video Files type, and there are 445 files in this category.
3GP file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS and Linux, as well as mobile devices running Apple iOS and Android. If you need to play a 3GP file, you can use one of 34 programs, such as VLC media player, Windows Media and OPlayer HD.
MIME types
- audio/3gpp
- video/3gpp
Programs that support 3GP files
Windows
VLC media player
Windows Media
KMPlayer
ALLPlayer
3GP PLAYER
Final Media Player
QuickTime
MPlayer
Wondershare Video Converter- AVS Video Editor
Free Studio
Wondershare Video Editor
Nero Classic
Nero Recode
Nero Multimedia Suite- VIP Video Converter
AviDemux- TRP Converter
Freemake Video Converter
Nero Platinum Suite- SUPER 3D Video Converter
Microsoft Windows Live Movie Maker- 3GP/iPod/PSP/MP4 Converter
Any Audio Converter
FormatFactory
Nero Vision Express
Mac OS
Apple iOS
How to open a 3GP file?
If you’re having difficulty opening a 3GP file, it is often due to not having the correct software. To solve the problem, choose a compatible program from the list. Then follow the link to the official developer site, download the software, and install it on your device.
Thanks to their popularity, VLC media player, Windows Media and OPlayer HD are often the go-to programs for managing 3GP files. To install the updated version of Wondershare Video Editor, simply go to the Wondershare site and download the installer compatible with all major platforms.
After installation, your operating system should automatically open 3GP files with Wondershare Video Editor.
Set Wondershare Video Editor as the default 3GP program
Change Default Program on Mac
- Right click or Control + left click on the desired 3GP file;
- Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
- Next, at the bottom of the window, you will see the "Enable" menu, in which "Recommended Programs" is selected by default;
- In this menu, select "All Programs", then find Wondershare Video Editor and check the box next to "Always open in the application."
Change a default app in Windows
- Start by right-clicking on your 3GP file, then select "Open With" and continue by clicking "Choose another app" from the options provided;
- In the pop-up window, select the Wondershare Video Editor application;
- Check the "Always use this application" checkbox, and then click "OK" to apply the selected application as the default for opening 3GP files.
Solve problems with 3GP files
There are some common issues with 3GP files that can be resolved easily by making minor adjustments to your software. Below, you’ll find these issues along with practical troubleshooting tips.
Why does Wondershare Video Editor stop responding or crash intermittently?
Insufficient software updates can contribute to Wondershare Video Editor crash. To avoid this, make sure that you have installed the latest updates for Wondershare products.
Restarting your computer will solve many common problems, which is why it’s the first thing you should do before changing any settings related to the software.
What are the best practices for repairing a 3GP file that has gone bad?
Open the damaged 3GP file in a recovery program and select the "Repair" menu item to start the repair operation. Please wait patiently for the recovery process to finish as it will automatically repair the damaged video files.
What are the methods to detect if my 3GP file has been corrupted?
Characteristics of corrupted 3GP video files can include:
- An unexplained increase in the size of the 3GP file;
- Trying to work with the archive in Wondershare Video Editor or other programs causes instability or program crashes;
- The file does not open correctly or displays error messages;
- While working with the file, error alerts are encountered;
- Editing the archive in AviDemux is hampered by poor overall performance;
How to edit a 3GP file?
To modify 3GP files, you need to install special software that makes it possible to open and edit video files. Online 3GP editors are more restricted compared to software designed for 3GPP Multimedia Format.
Best 3GP editors 2026
Based on these criteria, we have prepared a list of available 3GP editors.
| 3GP Editor Software | Developer | Platforms | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVS Video Editor | OMT | Windows | 4.8 out of 5 (42 reviews) |
| Microsoft Windows Live Movie Maker | Microsoft | Windows | 4.5 out of 5 (39 reviews) |
| AviDemux | Mean | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | 4.2 out of 5 (39 reviews) |
| Wondershare Video Editor | Wondershare | Windows | 4.1 out of 5 (40 reviews) |
Convert files to and from 3GP
If obstacles arise while working with a 3GP file, you may convert it to formats like AVI, MOV, MPG, MPEG, WAV or other similar types for smoother handling.
After converting a 3GP file, some capabilities may be limited, but you can often convert it back to the original format.
Several applications, including AviDemux, Free Studio and VIP Video Converter, can convert 3GP files offline without quality loss.