Video conversion
Convert FLV to 3GP
Updated Jul 2026
FLV is old Flash-based web video, and 3GP is the compressed format built for older mobile phones with small screens and slow connections. To convert FLV to 3GP, open the file in a converter and export it as 3GP, which shrinks the resolution and bitrate to fit those devices. Doing it on your own computer means the video never has to leave your machine.
- Extension
- .flv
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- Legacy web video
- Compression
- Lossy
- Extension
- .3gp
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- Old mobile phones
- Compression
- Lossy
Convert FLV to 3GP on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert FLV to 3GP
- Open Morphjet and drag in the FLV file, or a whole folder of them.
- Choose 3GP as the output format.
- Convert. The 3GP file is written next to your original, and nothing leaves your machine.
FLV vs 3GP: what actually changes
| FLV | 3GP | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Flash-era websites and browsers | Older mobile phones and feature phones |
| File size | Larger, higher bitrate | Much smaller, built for tiny storage |
| Resolution and quality | Can hold decent resolution and bitrate | Low resolution, heavily compressed to fit small screens |
| Audio | Usually MP3 or AAC | Often a simpler, lower-fidelity codec |
| Plays on modern devices | Rare, most browsers dropped Flash support | Rare, mostly relevant to legacy phones and old apps |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert FLV to 3GP when an old mobile phone, feature phone, or an app that only accepts 3GP needs the file, or you need a much smaller video for very limited storage.
Keep the FLV, or convert it to something more modern instead, if you'll be watching it on a computer or a current phone, since 3GP's low resolution and bitrate will look noticeably worse.
Why not just use an online converter?
FLV files often turn up as old downloads, saved web clips, or footage pulled off a dead site. Uploading one to an online converter means a stranger's server holds a copy of it while it processes. Converting on your own computer keeps the file, and whatever's in it, entirely on your machine.
Questions
Does converting FLV to 3GP lose quality?
Yes, and it's usually noticeable. 3GP is built for small phone screens and slow networks, so the resolution and bitrate both drop well below what FLV can hold.
Will the 3GP file play on my phone today?
Most current smartphones don't rely on 3GP anymore, it was built for older feature phones. Some legacy devices and specific apps still expect it, which is usually the only reason to convert to it now.
Why convert to 3GP instead of MP4?
Only if a specific old device or app requires 3GP. For anything modern, MP4 keeps far more quality at a similar or smaller size.
Does the audio carry over cleanly?
It carries over, but 3GP often re-encodes audio into a simpler, lower-fidelity codec than FLV uses. Fine for spoken voice, less fine for music.
Can I convert FLV to 3GP without uploading it anywhere?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file on your own computer, so it never travels over the internet. You can do it with your wifi off.
Morphjet converts FLV, 3GP, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.