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PLIST File - What is a .plist file and how do I open it?
Learn about .PLIST files and view a list of programs that open them.
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What is a PLIST file? A PLIST file is a properties list used by a macOS or iOS application. It defines many of the app's default settings and can store user settings. Most commonly, PLIST files are saved as binary files or XML files. In either case, PLIST files are typically not meant to be opened or edited by users.
More Information PLIST file open in Apple Xcode While developing a macOS or iOS application, developers create PLIST files that define several key pieces of the app's configuration information and metadata . Typically, these PLIST files are XML files, which store a list of Keys (setting names) and Values (settings). As a developer finalizes their application for delivery to end users, they often convert some or all of their PLIST files to a binary format. For example, developers often convert PLIST files that track a user's preferences to binary. Thus, PLIST files packaged with or installed by an app may be plain text files or binary files. NOTE: Some Apple applications for Windows, such as iTunes and Safari, also use PLIST files. Additionally, in some rare cases, PLIST files may use JSON formatting.
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Popularity3.7 | 214 Votes
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.PLIST File Extension
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| Developer | Apple |
| Popularity |
3.7 | 214 Votes |
What is a PLIST file?
A PLIST file is a properties list used by a macOS or iOS application. It defines many of the app's default settings and can store user settings. Most commonly, PLIST files are saved as binary files or XML files. In either case, PLIST files are typically not meant to be opened or edited by users.
More Information
PLIST file open in Apple Xcode
While developing a macOS or iOS application, developers create PLIST files that define several key pieces of the app's configuration information and metadata . Typically, these PLIST files are XML files, which store a list of Keys (setting names) and Values (settings).
As a developer finalizes their application for delivery to end users, they often convert some or all of their PLIST files to a binary format. For example, developers often convert PLIST files that track a user's preferences to binary. Thus, PLIST files packaged with or installed by an app may be plain text files or binary files.
NOTE: Some Apple applications for Windows, such as iTunes and Safari, also use PLIST files. Additionally, in some rare cases, PLIST files may use JSON formatting.
Common PLIST Filenames
Info.plist - The primary property list for macOS applications, located in the /Contents/ directory of an .APP bundle. To view this file, right-click an application file, select Show Package Contents , and open the Contents folder.
How to open a PLIST file
In most cases, you should not open or edit a PLIST file. Doing so may cause the app that uses that PLIST file to function incorrectly.
However, if you want to open a PLIST file, to view or edit the settings it contains, you can do so with Apple's Property List Editor (bundled with Apple Xcode ). The program can open both plain text and binary PLIST files.
How to convert a PLIST file
In macOS, you can use the plutil command to convert PLIST files between the XML and binary PLIST formats:
In Linux, you can use the Withgraphite Plutil utility to convert PLIST files between the XML and binary PLIST formats.
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Programs that open or reference PLIST files
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X
Windows
ProperTree
Free
Microsoft Visual Studio Code
Free
Microsoft Notepad
Included with OS
Notepad++
Free
Any text editor
Mac
Apple Xcode
Free
Apple plutil
Included with OS
Fat Cat PlistEdit Pro
Free Trial
PrefEdit
Free Trial
ProperTree
Free
Any text editor
Linux
Withgraphite Plutil
Free
ProperTree
Free
Microsoft Visual Studio Code
Free
Any text editor
Category: Settings Files
Updated: August 23, 2023