.IPA File

The ipa file extension is associated with the iOS operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices from Apple, Inc.

The ipa file extension is used for file containing application package.

iOS applications can be installed to device via App Store integrated to Apple iOS, or via iTunes and computer with cable connected device.

You can also set the app synchronization in your iOS device that means what you downloaded in iTunes on computer, will be automatically downloaded to your device.

The ipa file is basically a ZIP archive that contains:

• META-INF folder
• Payload folder
• various *.plist files
• app container with application and its related data as graphics, settings, media files, etc.

The Apple iOS applications are written in Xcode integrated development environment for OS X (macOS) operating system used by Mac computers.

iTunes stores IPA files in /Music/iTunes/Mobile Applications/ subfolder.

An ipa file extension is generally used for application packages downloaded from Apple iTunes app store. The IPA is a container format that contains app installations.

How to open:

The *.ipa file stores app installation for Apple iPhone, its not meant to be opened directly. However its a ZIP file and therefore can be opened as any other archive.

How to convert:

There is no way or easy way how to convert the IPA iPhone application file in to other file format like Android .apk, but you can rename the IPA file extension on ZIP file extension and open the ZIP file in compression utilities such as WinZip or WinRAR.