What is MIME type "audio/3gpp2"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type audio/3gpp2 signals an audio stream based on the 3GPP2 standard. It designates audio data in files that follow the 3GPP2 container format.
This format is common on mobile devices, especially those that use CDMA technology. In many cases, these files may also include video, but when tagged as audio/3gpp2, they are meant for audio-only content.

Main use: Streaming and playback of compressed audio on mobile networks.
Key fact: It is part of the 3GPP2 multimedia container standard.
Additional uses: It is used for recording and transmission of audio in cellular systems.

Files using this MIME type often have the extension 3G2. For more technical details, visit the IANA registration page or see the overview on Wikipedia.

Associated file extensions

.3g2

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: audio/3gpp2

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="audio/3gpp2">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'audio/3gpp2');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.3g2

FAQs

What is the audio/3gpp2 MIME type used for?

The audio/3gpp2 MIME type identifies audio files formatted according to the 3GPP2 standard, primarily used on mobile devices within CDMA networks. While the container can hold video, this specific type signals that the content should be treated as an audio stream.

Which file extension is commonly associated with audio/3gpp2?

This MIME type is most frequently associated with the .3g2 file extension. You can find more details about this extension and its specific characteristics at 3g2.

How do I configure Apache to serve .3g2 files correctly?

To ensure browsers recognize the file type, add the following directive to your .htaccess file or httpd.conf: AddType audio/3gpp2 .3g2. This ensures the correct Content-Type header is sent during transfer.

Is audio/3gpp2 supported in HTML5 audio tags?

Support is inconsistent across modern desktop browsers, though it may work on mobile browsers with hardware decoding support. For maximum web compatibility, it is recommended to convert these files to audio/mpeg (MP3) or audio/mp4 (AAC).

What is the difference between audio/3gpp and audio/3gpp2?

audio/3gpp is based on the GSM standard (common in Europe/Global), while audio/3gpp2 is based on the CDMA standard (common in North America/Asia). They use different container structures and header formats, so a player compatible with one might not necessarily play the other.

How can I fix Nginx sending the wrong MIME type for .3g2 files?

Open your mime.types configuration file (usually in /etc/nginx/) and ensure the following line exists: audio/3gpp2 3g2;. After saving the file, restart Nginx to apply the changes.

Can audio/3gpp2 files contain video?

The 3G2 container format is capable of storing both video and audio. However, serving a file with the audio/3gpp2 MIME type explicitly instructs the client to handle it as audio, potentially ignoring the video track.

What software plays audio/3gpp2 files?

Most universal media players, such as VLC Media Player, QuickTime, and Windows Media Player, can handle these files. They are also natively supported by many legacy mobile phones and some modern smartphones.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.