.XAP File

The xap file extension is mainly related to app packages used to deploy apps on Windows Phone 7/8 devices. It is also the default file format for Silverlight apps.

The xap file stores Windows Phone application package in ZIP compression file format.

Content of the xap file:

• AppManifest.xaml file
• DLLs required

Default development environment for Windows Phone apps is Microsoft Visual Studio.

The xap file can be simply installed to phone via Market app. Copy *.xap file to SD card (Windows Phone 8 and higher) open Market and use SD card option.

XAP format was replaced by APPX format in Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, however older XAP apps can still be installed to 8.1 and 10 too.

Files with xap file extension are mainly related to Windows Phone apps and Microsoft Silverlight installation resource files. Used for Silverlight apps.

How to open:

As *.xap files are ZIP archives you can simply decompress them should you need it. Otherwise you can install the app from the package via Market app.

How to convert:

There probably is no way how XAP files could be converted to anything else.