Free online HEVC to 3GP converter

Some older phones, messaging systems, and embedded video players accept 3GP but cannot open HEVC files. Converting requires decoding HEVC and re-encoding the video with a codec and audio format supported by the target 3GP device.

What the HEVC format is

HEVC, also called H.265, is a modern video codec designed to provide similar image quality at roughly half the bitrate of H.264 in comparable conditions. Phones, action cameras, screen-recording tools, and video editors commonly create HEVC files, usually with .mp4 or .mov containers; some cameras use .hevc as the filename extension.

HEVC is common in 4K recordings, HDR footage, and videos captured by recent iPhones, Android devices, and digital cameras. Older operating systems and hardware may lack HEVC decoding, so conversion can also be necessary before editing or playback.

What the 3GP format is

3GP is a multimedia container developed for 3G mobile networks and early mobile phones. It commonly contains H.263, MPEG-4 Part 2, or H.264 video and AMR-NB or AAC audio, with the .3gp extension.

Its low-resolution, low-bitrate design reduces storage and transfer requirements. Use it for legacy phones, older surveillance or embedded players, and software that specifically requires a 3GP container. Modern players generally support MP4 more reliably than 3GP.

How to convert HEVC to 3GP

For a desktop conversion, FFmpeg provides direct control over the codecs, dimensions, bitrate, and compatibility settings. Install a current FFmpeg build, then check the source:

ffprobe input.hevc

For a relatively modern 3GP player that supports H.264, use H.264 video and AAC audio:

ffmpeg -i input.hevc -c:v libx264 -profile:v baseline -level 3.0 -pix_fmt yuv420p -vf "scale=320:240:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease,pad=320:240:(ow-iw)/2:(oh-ih)/2" -r 15 -b:v 300k -c:a aac -ar 16000 -ac 1 -b:a 32k -movflags +faststart output.3gp

This command decodes the HEVC stream, scales it to fit 320×240, encodes H.264 Baseline video, converts audio to mono AAC, and writes a 3GP file. Replace input.hevc and output.3gp with the actual filenames. Keep the source aspect ratio by changing the scale and pad values together; 176×144 is a safer target for very old phones.

For a device that requires the older H.263 and AMR-NB combination, first check whether the installed FFmpeg build provides the AMR encoder:

ffmpeg -encoders | grep -E "h263|amr"

If libopencore_amrnb is available, use:

ffmpeg -i input.hevc -c:v h263 -s 176x144 -r 15 -b:v 128k -c:a libopencore_amrnb -ar 8000 -ac 1 -b:a 12.2k output.3gp

On Windows, the equivalent encoder check can be run with ffmpeg -encoders | findstr "h263 amr". If the required AMR encoder is absent, use the H.264/AAC command or install an FFmpeg build that includes the encoder supported by the target device.

With a graphical desktop application that uses FFmpeg internally, choose Open video → Export, select 3GP if available, set H.264 or H.263 video, AAC or AMR audio, and a resolution supported by the device. The built-in converter on 101convert.com can also convert the file for free without installing software; upload the HEVC file, choose 3GP, start the conversion, and download the result.

Quality, compatibility, and limitations

This is a lossy transcode: the original HEVC stream cannot be copied into a 3GP file while preserving compatibility. Keep the HEVC original for archiving and use the 3GP only as a delivery copy.

H.264 Baseline with 320×240 resolution and 15 frames per second is a practical compromise for many older players, while H.263 at 176×144 and AMR-NB offers the widest legacy compatibility. Lowering resolution and bitrate reduces file size but also removes detail; increasing them may make the file unplayable on older phones.

HEVC recordings may be 10-bit, HDR, 4K, or use variable frame rates. The conversion settings above produce 8-bit, SDR, yuv420p output with a fixed low frame rate, which avoids common compatibility failures but discards HDR and high-resolution information.