.plist is Mac OS X Property List File
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| File extension | .PLIST |
| File type | Property list file |
| Used by | macOS, iOS, other Apple operating systems |
| Contains | Key-value pairs of data |
| Can be opened with | Text editor, third-party software |
| Can be converted to | Other formats, such as JSON |
| Can be edited | Yes, using a text editor or third-party software |
| Safe to download and use | Generally safe, but scan for viruses first |
What's on this Page
The .plist file extension is associated with Mac OS X Property List files. This file format is used by macOS and iOS to store configuration settings and preferences for various applications and system components. It serves as a structured, XML-based format for storing data in a hierarchical manner.
The .plist format, short for Property List, is a way to store structured data in a human-readable and machine-readable format. It utilizes XML or binary encoding to represent the data. Property List files consist of key-value pairs, where each key corresponds to a value. The values can be of various types, including strings, numbers, dates, arrays, and dictionaries.
Property List files are commonly used by macOS and iOS applications to store application settings, preferences, and other configuration data. They are also used by system components to store system-wide settings and metadata.
.plist files are primarily used by developers and system administrators to manage and configure application settings and preferences. Here's how you can use .plist files:
Developers can also read and write .plist files programmatically using programming languages like Objective-C, Swift, or Python, using APIs provided by Apple.
To open a .plist file, you can use a text editor or a specialized Property List editor. Here are the steps to open a .plist file:
Some popular text editors for macOS, such as Xcode, Sublime Text, and BBEdit, offer syntax highlighting and formatting specifically designed for .plist files, making them more readable and easier to work with.
Converting .plist files to other formats is not a common practice, as the .plist format is primarily used for storing structured data. However, it is possible to convert .plist files to binary format and vice versa.
To convert a .plist file to binary format, you can use the "plutil" command-line utility available on macOS. Here's an example:
plutil -convert binary1 file.plistThis command will convert the file.plist from XML to binary format, saving it as file.plist.binary.
To convert a .plist file from binary to XML format, use the following command:
plutil -convert xml1 file.plist.binaryReplace file.plist.binary with the actual name of your binary .plist file.
To open .plist files, you can use text editors or specialized Property List editors. Some popular text editors for macOS that support .plist files include Xcode, Sublime Text, and BBEdit. Additionally, there are specialized Property List editors available, such as PlistEdit Pro and Pref Setter, which provide a more user-friendly interface for viewing and modifying .plist files.
When opening .plist files, it's essential to preserve the XML structure and syntax to avoid corrupting the file. Therefore, it's recommended to use editors that are aware of the .plist format and provide syntax highlighting and validation.
The .plist file extension represents Mac OS X Property List files, which are XML-based files used for storing configuration settings and preferences. These files can be opened and edited with text editors or specialized Property List editors, and they are primarily used by developers and system administrators to manage application settings. Remember to use caution when modifying .plist files and always keep a backup copy in case any changes lead to unexpected behavior.