What happens when you convert 3GA to MP3
- The audio is decoded and written as MP3 at 192 kbps.
- Going from one lossy format to another adds a small generation loss. Choose a bitrate at least as high as the source to keep it inaudible.
How to convert 3GA to MP3 online
- Press "Choose 3GA files" and select one or more files, or drag them onto the box. You can add files of any size your device can hold in memory.
- Adjust the settings if you need to: the bitrate controls quality and size. The defaults suit most people.
- Press "Convert to MP3". The first audio or video conversion downloads the converter engine, about 32 MB, which your browser then keeps for next time.
- Save each MP3 with its download button. Close the tab and every trace of the files is gone from memory.
Why convert 3GA to MP3?
3GA files usually come from voice memos and call recordings from Samsung and other Android phones. People convert them to MP3 because MP3 plays in every phone, car stereo, smart speaker and website, and it keeps music small.
In short, 3GA is good at what it was made for, and MP3 is the more practical choice when the file has to play on another device or app. 3GA does not play in most browsers; plays on Android phones and in VLC, while MP3 plays in every browser, phone, car stereo and media player.
How to convert 3GA to MP3 on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android
On Windows
Open this page in Chrome, Edge or Firefox, drag your 3GA files in from File Explorer, and press Convert. Each MP3 is saved to your Downloads folder. If you prefer a desktop program, VLC can also convert 3GA to MP3: choose Media, then Convert / Save.
On a Mac
Safari, Chrome and Firefox all work. Drag the 3GA files from Finder onto the drop zone and the MP3 files land in Downloads.
On iPhone and iPad
Open the page in Safari and tap Choose 3GA files. You can pick from Photos or from the Files app. The converted MP3 appears in Files, in the Downloads folder.
On Android
Open the page in Chrome, tap Choose 3GA files and pick them from Files or your gallery. The MP3 is saved to the Download folder, where any file manager can find it. Keep the screen on while a long video converts, because Android may pause a tab in the background.
Best settings for 3GA to MP3
MP3 is a lossy format, so the bitrate decides both the sound quality and the file size. Size grows in a straight line with bitrate: double the bitrate and the file doubles.
| Bitrate | Size per minute | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 320 kbps | about 2.4 MB | the highest quality, for music you will keep |
| 256 kbps | about 1.9 MB | excellent music quality |
| 192 kbps | about 1.4 MB | the default: transparent for most listeners |
| 128 kbps | about 1.0 MB | good for music on the go and for podcasts |
| 96 kbps | about 0.7 MB | speech and audiobooks |
| 64 kbps | about 0.5 MB | voice notes and spoken word only |
The 3GA was already compressed, so pick a bitrate at least as high as the original. Going higher does not add quality back, it only makes the file bigger.
3GA vs MP3: the differences
| 3GA | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | 3GPP audio | MPEG-1 Audio Layer III |
| Type | audio | audio |
| Created by | the 3rd Generation Partnership Project | the Fraunhofer Institute |
| First released | 2003 | 1993 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
| Usually contains | AMR speech or AAC audio in a 3GP container | MP3 audio, typically 128 to 320 kbps |
| In a browser | does not play in most browsers; plays on Android phones and in VLC | plays in every browser, phone, car stereo and media player |
| Common uses | voice memos and call recordings from Samsung and other Android phones | music libraries, podcasts and anything that has to play everywhere |
| MIME type | audio/3gpp | audio/mpeg |
About 3GA and MP3 files
What is a 3GA file?
A 3GA file is a 3GP file with sound and no picture. Samsung phones saved voice recordings in it for years, with AMR speech at low bitrates or AAC for better quality, which is why so many voice memos turn up as .3ga.
What is an MP3 file?
MP3 is the most widely supported audio format there is, which is its whole appeal. At 320 kbps most listeners cannot tell it from the original; at 128 kbps cymbals and applause start to smear.
3GA to MP3 not working? Common problems
- The conversion is slow. Audio and container changes take seconds, but re-encoding video runs on your own processor. Lower the resolution to 720p, close other tabs, and keep the device plugged in.
- The tab stops or reloads on a very large file. Browsers limit how much memory one tab can use, around 2 GB and less on phones. Split long recordings or convert them on a computer.
- Song titles are missing. Tags such as title and artist are copied when MP3 can store them, but cover art is not carried over.
Convert 3GA to MP3 with ffmpeg
This converter runs ffmpeg inside your browser. If you would rather use the ffmpeg command line on your own computer, this command produces an equivalent MP3 with the same kind of settings:
ffmpeg -i input.3ga -vn -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k output.mp3Replace input.3ga with the name of your file. For a whole folder of 3GA files, run the command in a loop, or drop them all on the converter above, which processes them one after another.
3GA to MP3 converter FAQ
Will I lose quality converting 3GA to MP3?
A little. Both formats are lossy, so re-encoding compounds the loss slightly. Keep the default bitrate or higher and the difference is rarely noticeable.
Why is the MP3 a different size from the 3GA?
It depends on the settings. At the defaults, the MP3 usually comes out close in size to the 3GA; lower the bitrate for a smaller file.
Are my 3GA files uploaded anywhere?
No. The conversion runs inside this browser tab using ffmpeg compiled to WebAssembly, so your files stay on your device. You can disconnect from the internet after the page and converter engine have loaded and it still works.
Can I convert several 3GA files to MP3 at once?
Yes. Select or drop as many files as you like; they are converted one after another and each gets its own download button.
How do I open an MP3 file?
MP3 plays in every browser, phone, car stereo and media player. MP3 is common for music libraries, podcasts and anything that has to play everywhere.
Is this 3GA to MP3 converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many files you convert. The site is paid for by advertising, and because conversions run on your device there is no server cost per file.
Can I convert 3GA to MP3 on my phone?
Yes. The converter works in Safari on iPhone and iPad and in Chrome on Android. Converted files are saved to the Downloads folder.