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SF File - What is an .sf file and how do I open it?
Learn about .SF files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is an SF file? An SF file stores a digital signature used by Minecraft to verify the integrity and authenticity of the game's core files. It is named CODESIGN.SF and is located in the META-INF directory inside the Minecraft.jar file. Since Minecraft is written in Java , this type of signature file is part of Java's standard way of signing .JAR (Java Archive) files to prevent tampering.
More Information The CODESIGN.SF file works with a companion .RSA file (named CODESIGN.RSA ), which contains the actual cryptographic signature. Together, these files ensure that the archive's contents haven't been changed or corrupted. If either SF or RSA file is modified or removed, Minecraft may fail to launch or run correctly. Earlier versions of Minecraft used the name MOJANG_C.SF for this file, but it was later renamed to CODESIGN.SF in newer builds.
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Popularity2.0 | 1 Vote
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.SF File Extension
3 file types use the .sf file extension.
Minecraft JAR Signature File
| Developer | Mojang |
| Popularity |
4.1 | 32 Votes |
What is an SF file?
An SF file stores a digital signature used by Minecraft to verify the integrity and authenticity of the game's core files. It is named CODESIGN.SF and is located in the META-INF directory inside the Minecraft.jar file. Since Minecraft is written in Java , this type of signature file is part of Java's standard way of signing .JAR (Java Archive) files to prevent tampering.
More Information
The CODESIGN.SF file works with a companion .RSA file (named CODESIGN.RSA ), which contains the actual cryptographic signature. Together, these files ensure that the archive's contents haven't been changed or corrupted.
If either SF or RSA file is modified or removed, Minecraft may fail to launch or run correctly. Earlier versions of Minecraft used the name MOJANG_C.SF for this file, but it was later renamed to CODESIGN.SF in newer builds.
How to open an SF file
SF files are not meant to be opened. Instead, Mojang Minecraft references the SF file to verify that the JAR files it loads have not been tampered.
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Programs that open or reference SF files
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Mojang Minecraft
Paid
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Mojang Minecraft
Paid
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Mojang Minecraft
Paid
Category: Misc Files
Updated: April 23, 2025
IRCAM Sound File
| Developer | IRCAM |
| Popularity |
3.5 | 11 Votes |
NEW: Open your .SF file online with File Helper . View Online
An SF file may also be an audio file saved in the IRCAM Sound File format. It stores high-quality digital audio data, supporting multi-channel audio and metadata that describes the sound's format and playback settings. SF files are commonly associated with academic and experimental music environments.
More Information
The Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM), a French music and sound technology research institute, developed the IRCAM format in the 1980s. Users in academic and experimental music environments were the primary users of IRCAM.
For example, composers and researchers use various professional software tools, including Csound, to generate and manipulate audio in the IRCAM SF format. While not widely used in consumer applications, the format remains relevant in specialized audio research and production workflows.
How to open an SF file
You can open SF files with several programs, including Csound, Ardour, and Audacity . Ardour and Audacity require the libsndfile library to open the files.
Programs that open SF files
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Ardour
Free
Csound
Free
Audacity
Free
Windows
File Viewer Plus
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FileHelper.com
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Category: Audio Files
Updated: April 23, 2025
APK Digital Signature
| Developer | |
| Popularity |
2.0 | 1 Vote |
CERT.SF is a digital signature included in an .APK (Android Package) file. It contains a hashed record of the APK file's MANIFEST.MF file. CERT.SF is typically saved alongside files named CERT.RSA and MANIFEST.MF .
More Information
When an Android developer creates an APK file, Android Studio (or whatever app the developer used to create their APK file) creates a META-INF directory in that APK file. This directory contains information used to verify the APK file's contents upon installation on a user's device, to confirm the APK file has not been tampered with between creation and installation.
Notably, META-INF includes the following files:
How to open an SF file
CERT.SF is not meant to be opened. Upon app installation, Android references an app's CERT.SF file to confirm the app's contents have not been modified.
Programs that open or reference SF files
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Google Android
Included with OS
Category: Encoded Files
Updated: August 21, 2023