File Extension Database

Open 3GA File

3GA files mainly belong to Apple's QuickTime.

3GA is the file name extension for audio recordings captured by voice recording programs on various platforms.

The 3GA format uses the AMR, AMR-WB, Extended AMR-WB, EVS, Enhanced aacPlus, and AAC audio codec, which is optimized for voice coding.

More about AMR

The AMR codec used by the 3GA format uses Discontinuous Transmission (DTX), Voice Activity Detection (VAD) and Comfort Noise Generation (CNG) technology to reduce bandwidth usage during silent periods when writes a file to disk or is transmitted over the network.

The result of this compression is a smaller file size that takes up fewer network and system resources.

This is the reason why some mobile phones made by Nokia, Samsung and others use 3GA as the default audio format for sending MMS messages.

In some cases, 3GA files are used to store the audio stream of a 3GP (video container) file. VLC, QuickTime and RealPlayer support the 3GA format.

Open a 3GA file

You need proper software like QuickTime to open a 3GA file.

Without proper software, you'll get a message from Windows saying, "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar alert from Mac/iPhone/Android.

If you can't open the 3GA file correctly, try right-clicking or long-pressing on the file. Then click "Open With" and choose an app.

You can also display a 3GA file directly in the browser by simply dragging the file to this browser window and dropping it.

About QuickTime

QuickTime is a complete, standard multimedia work center, developed by Apple, consisting of a set of libraries and a multimedia player (QuickTime Player).

QuickTime is compatible with the MPEG-4 standard, however, there is a Pro version that adds various features such as video editing and encoding to various formats such as AVI, MOV, MP4.

With the Pro version, it is also possible to record audio with a microphone connected to the computer.

On Macs, apart from recording audio, it is possible to record video. (using cameras iSight)

QuickTime is not just a player, but a complete multimedia system capable of playing, and in some cases transmitting, through streaming, high-quality content on the Internet and other devices.

Apple announced the development of a new codec that implements the H.264 standard, also known as AVC (Advanced Video Coding) or Advanced Video Coding that allows very clear content that is superior to the standard of DVD, DivX and other high-quality formats.

QuickTime is available for Windows and Mac OS X operating systems.

GNU/Linux systems can use QuickTime through programs like MPlayer.

There is also a free version called QuickTime Alternative and iTunes.

Link to the software package compatible with 3GA files

Apple QuickTime

How Can I Open 3GA File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open 3GA file is to find a 3GA file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a 3GA file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open 3GA file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as 3GA file opener then try to search online for "3GA viewer", "application to open 3GA file" or "open 3GA file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open 3GA file

How Can I Open 3GA File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a 3GA file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a 3GA file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with 3GA file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as 3GA file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open 3GA file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open 3GA file then try to search for "3GA viewer", "application to open 3GA file" or "read 3GA file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read 3GA file

How Can I Open 3GA File on Android

If you downloaded a 3GA file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded 3GA file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "3GA".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "3GA viewer", "3GA file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open 3GA File on iPhone or iPad

To open 3GA File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the 3GA file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "3GA". This way you can find apps which can open 3GA files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "3GA viewer" or "3GA file" online in your favorite search engine.