How to Recover .3GP Files Lost Due to Hard Drive or SSD Failure

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .3GP file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Recover .3GP Files Lost Due to Hard Drive or SSD Failure

What is a .3GP file?

A 3GP file is a multimedia file saved in an audio and video container format developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It stores video and audio streams that are transmitted between 3G mobile phones and over the Internet.

What Are Common Causes of ".3GP" Files Lost or Failure?

There can be several common causes for ".3GP" file loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".3GP" files while managing their files or formatting their storage devices.
  2. File system corruption: If the file system of the storage device where the ".3GP" files are stored gets corrupted, it can result in file loss or failure.
  3. Virus or malware attack: Malicious software can infect the storage device and cause damage to the ".3GP" files, making them inaccessible or corrupt.
  4. Hardware failure: Issues with the storage device itself, such as a hard drive failure or faulty memory card, can lead to ".3GP" file loss or failure.
  5. Power outage or improper device handling: Sudden power outages or improper handling of the device, like abruptly removing the memory card without safely ejecting it, can cause ".3GP" files to become lost or corrupted.
  6. Software or system malfunction: Errors or crashes in the operating system or media player software can result in ".3GP" file failure or loss.
  7. File transfer errors: If there are interruptions or errors during the transfer of ".3GP" files from one device to another, it can lead to file loss or corruption.
  8. Formatting or partitioning errors: Incorrect formatting or partitioning of the storage device can cause ".3GP" files to be lost.
  9. Overwriting or file system errors: Overwriting existing ".3GP" files with new data or file system errors can result in the loss of the original files.
  10. Human error: Accidental actions like accidental formatting, improper file handling, or mistakenly deleting ".3GP" files can also cause their loss or failure.

How to recover lost ".3GP" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".3GP" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".3GP" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".3GP" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".3GP" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".3GP" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".3GP" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo 3GPP Multimedia File image file file?

Programs that open ".3GP" files

Windows
File Viewer Plus File Viewer Plus
Microsoft Movies & TV Microsoft Movies & TV
Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate Xilisoft Video Converter Ultimate
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
MPlayer MPlayer
Mac
Apple QuickTime Player Apple QuickTime Player
Roxio Toast 18 Roxio Toast 18
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
MPlayer MPlayer
Eltima Elmedia Player Eltima Elmedia Player
Linux
VideoLAN VLC media player VideoLAN VLC media player
MPlayer MPlayer
iOS
olimsoft OPlayer olimsoft OPlayer
Android
File Viewer for Android File Viewer for Android
PANDORA.TV KMPlayer PANDORA.TV KMPlayer
BIT LABS Simple MP4 Video Player BIT LABS Simple MP4 Video Player
J2 Interactive MX Player J2 Interactive MX Player

Additional Information

  • File type: 3GPP Multimedia File

  • File extension: .3GP

  • Developer: Third Generation Partnership Project

  • Category: Video Files

  • Format: Binary

  • Mime-type: video/3gpp

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:49 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .3GP files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • How can I create a .3GP backup of my mobile phone videos?

    To create a .3GP backup of your mobile phone videos, you can follow these steps:

    1. Connect your mobile phone to your computer using a USB cable.
    2. On your computer, open the file explorer or file manager.
    3. Locate your mobile phone in the file explorer and open it.
    4. Navigate to the folder where your videos are stored on your mobile phone.
    5. Select the videos you want to backup by either dragging and dropping them to your computer's desktop or by copying and pasting them to a desired folder on your computer.
    6. Once the videos are copied to your computer, you can convert them to the .3GP format using a video conversion software or an online video converter.
    7. If you prefer using a video conversion software, install one such as HandBrake or Freemake Video Converter.
    8. Open the video conversion software and follow the instructions to convert the videos to the .3GP format.
    9. If you prefer using an online video converter, visit a trusted website that offers video conversion services, such as OnlineConvert or Zamzar.
    10. Upload the videos you want to convert to the .3GP format on the online converter's website.
    11. Select .3GP as the output format.
    12. Start the conversion process and wait for the website to convert your videos.
    13. Once the conversion is complete, download the converted .3GP videos to your computer.
    14. You now have a backup of your mobile phone videos in the .3GP format on your computer.

    Remember to always save your backups in a secure location to avoid accidental loss or deletion.

  • What are the advantages of using a .3GP format for video backups?

    There are several advantages of using the .3GP format for video backups:

    1. Small file size: .3GP files are highly compressed, resulting in smaller file sizes compared to other video formats. This makes it ideal for storage and backup purposes, especially when dealing with limited storage space.
    2. Mobile device compatibility: .3GP is a format specifically designed for mobile devices, making it highly compatible with various smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices. It ensures that your backup videos can be easily played on these devices without any compatibility issues.
    3. Efficient streaming: .3GP files are optimized for streaming over mobile networks. They have a lower bandwidth requirement, allowing for smoother playback and reduced buffering time when streaming videos on mobile devices.
    4. Good quality-to-size ratio: Despite the small file size, .3GP files can still maintain a decent video quality. The format uses efficient compression algorithms that preserve the video's quality while reducing the file size, ensuring a good balance between file size and video quality.
    5. Wide software support: .3GP is a widely supported format by various video editing and playback software. This makes it convenient to work with .3GP files for editing purposes, as well as for playing back the backup videos on different devices and platforms.
    6. Easy file transfer: Due to the small size, .3GP files can be quickly and easily transferred between devices, shared over networks, or uploaded to cloud storage services. This makes it convenient for backup purposes, as you can easily move and access your video backups whenever needed.

    Overall, the advantages of using the .3GP format for video backups include small file size, mobile device compatibility, efficient streaming, good quality-to-size ratio, wide software support, and easy file transfer.

  • Are there any limitations or compatibility issues when restoring a .3GP backup to a different device or platform?

    There can be limitations or compatibility issues when restoring a .3GP backup to a different device or platform. Here are a few potential concerns:

    1. File Format Compatibility: .3GP is a multimedia container format primarily used for 3G mobile phones. Some devices or platforms may not support this format, especially if they are not designed for mobile use.
    2. Codec Support: .3GP files can contain audio and video data encoded using different codecs. If the device or platform you are restoring the backup to does not have the necessary codecs installed, it may not be able to play or decode the media content properly.
    3. Operating System Compatibility: If you are restoring a .3GP backup from a mobile device to a different platform (e.g., from Android to iOS or vice versa), there may be compatibility issues due to differences in the operating systems and their respective file systems.
    4. Hardware Limitations: Some devices may have hardware limitations that prevent them from playing or handling certain types of media files, including .3GP files. For example, older devices or devices with lower processing power may struggle to play high-resolution or high-bitrate videos.

    To ensure compatibility and avoid limitations, it is recommended to check the supported file formats and codecs of the target device or platform before restoring a .3GP backup. If compatibility issues arise, you may need to convert the .3GP files to a more universally supported format or use specialized software or apps to play or convert them.

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