File Extension Database

Open APE File

APE file extension is most commonly associated with sound or music files compressed with Monkey's Audio, a lossless audio compression algorithm. Though less common, the APE file extension is also used by Advanced Visualization Studio (AVS), a third-party Winamp visual plugin.

Unlike most audio compression algorithms, Monkey's Audio is lossless, meaning that files using the format retain all the quality of the original. Aside from the advantage of high-quality audio at smaller file sizes, APE files can also be converted back to their original format without any loss. Like other compressed audio formats, APE files also support error detection and tagging, which means that information such as artist and song title can be attached to the file. Monkey?s Audio encoder is freely available, meaning that any software developer can produce software which outputs APE audio files.

The majority of popular audio compression formats such as File extension MP3, File extension WMA and File extension OGG Vorbis are known as lossy. This means that during the conversion process, information is discarded in order to reduce file size using a technique known as perceptual coding. The theory behind perceptual coding is that not all sounds are perceived by the human ear, and as this information is not needed to produce a faithful reproduction of the original audio track, it can therefore be discarded in order to reduce the size of the resultant file. Whilst this does not adversely affect sound quality, this information is lost forever and so cannot be restored should the file be converted back to the original format.

Monkey's Audio can be used to both open APE files and convert them to other formats. Many other media players can also be used to open APE files with the appropriate codec, such as Winamp, JMAC, Media Monkey and Windows Media Player with the addition of a codec pack such as K-Lite or Combined Community Codec Pack.

How Can I Open APE File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open APE file is to find a APE file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a APE file is not opened in an application and you instead get a "Windows can't open a file" error message you should try looking for an application which can open the file in question.
If you know the application which can open APE file then run it and see if there is a File->Open main menu option in the application.
If you don't know the application which function as APE file opener then try to search online for "APE viewer", "application to open APE file" or "open APE file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open APE file

How Can I Open APE File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a APE file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a APE file is not opened in a Mac OS application and you instead get a "There is no application set to open the file" error message you can click on "Search App Store" in the error dialog and Mac OS will show you applications compatible with APE file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as APE file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open APE file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open APE file then try to search for "APE viewer", "application to open APE file" or "read APE file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read APE file

How Can I Open APE File on Android

If you downloaded a APE file on Android device you can open it by following steps below:

In the Android apps list on your Android device find "My Files" or "File manager" app and tap to start it.
Tap on "Downloads" folder inside the app.
You should see your downloaded APE file in that folder.
Tap on the file. If Android device supports opening the file you downloaded it will open in the corresponding app.
If file does not open you can look for the corresponding app that can open the file by searching Android App Store for the "APE".
If you cannot open the file with the apps from Android App Store it is possible that the file could only be opened on desktop platforms such as Windows or Mac OS. Try searching for "APE viewer", "APE file reader" online and see if any desktop applications can open it.
It is also possible that the file you downloaded is outdated and is no longer supported.

How to Open APE File on iPhone or iPad

To open APE File on iOS device follow steps below:

We advies to open Files app on your iPhone or iPad device. You can find it by swiping down on the home screen and typing "Files" in the search bar.
Tap on the Downloads folder on the Files app home screen.
You will see all files that you recently downloaded. Tap on the APE file to view it.
If you have the right app that can open it it will automatically launch and open your file.
If you don't have the app which can open it you need to serch Apple app store for "APE". This way you can find apps which can open APE files.
If this doesn't help it is possible that your file could be opened only by the desktop application. To find an app which can open it on desktop look for "APE viewer" or "APE file" online in your favorite search engine.