Video conversion
Convert MOV to 3GP
Updated Jul 2026
MOV is the format iPhones and Macs record video in. Old mobile phones and some legacy media players can only handle 3GP, a heavily compressed format built for small screens and slow connections. To convert, open the file in a converter and export it as 3GP. Doing this on your own computer means the video is never uploaded anywhere.
- Extension
- .mov
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- iPhone / Mac recordings
- Compression
- Lossy
- Extension
- .3gp
- Type
- Video
- Typically
- Old mobile phones
- Compression
- Lossy
Convert MOV to 3GP on your own computer. Nothing uploads.
How to convert MOV to 3GP
- Open Morphjet and drag in the MOV file, or a whole folder of recordings, that you want to convert.
- Choose 3GP as the output format.
- Convert. The 3GP file is written next to your original, and nothing leaves your machine.
MOV vs 3GP: what actually changes
| MOV | 3GP | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Larger, especially at high resolution | Much smaller, built for limited storage and slow networks |
| Quality | High, close to the original recording | Low, heavily compressed to keep the file tiny |
| Typical resolution | Full HD or whatever the camera recorded | Low, often just a few hundred pixels wide |
| Compatibility | Plays natively on Apple devices, needs a converter elsewhere | Made for old mobile phones; most current phones and computers no longer expect it |
| Keeps recording metadata | Yes, date and device details carry over | Mostly stripped out by the format |
When to convert, and when not to
Convert MOV to 3GP when you need to send a video to, or play it on, an old mobile phone or a legacy system that only reads 3GP files.
Keep the MOV original if you plan to edit, archive, or watch the video on a modern phone, computer, or TV, since 3GP throws away resolution and quality you won't get back.
Why not just use an online converter?
Video is often personal, family moments, private calls, screen recordings, and an online converter means uploading that footage to a stranger's server before you get the 3GP back. Converting on your own computer means the video never leaves your machine, with no upload to wait on and no account to create.
Questions
Does converting MOV to 3GP lose quality?
Yes, noticeably. 3GP was built for tiny screens and slow mobile networks, so resolution and bitrate drop a lot compared to a MOV recording. It's fine for the old device that needs it, but it won't look sharp on a modern screen.
Why would anyone still need 3GP?
Some older mobile phones and a handful of legacy systems still only accept 3GP video. If you're not sending a file to one of those, you probably don't need this format.
Does the 3GP file keep the original recording's metadata?
Not much. 3GP is a stripped-down format, so details like the exact recording date or device model typically don't carry over the way they do in MOV.
Can I convert MOV to 3GP without uploading the video anywhere?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts the file on your own computer, so it never has to travel over the internet to a server.
Morphjet converts MOV, 3GP, and 1,800+ other formats, all on your machine. Launching this July.