File Extension Database

Open DEVICE File

On Unix-based operating systems, a DEVICE extension file is a special file or useful interface to a device driver that appears on a file system as if it were an ordinary file.

These types of DEVICE files also appear in DOS, OS/2, and Windows.

These DEVICE files allow an application program to interact with a device using its device driver through standard input/output system calls and interrupts.

The use of standard system calls simplifies many programming tasks and leads to consistent I/O mechanisms in user space, regardless of device features and functions.

DEVICE files generally provide simple interfaces to standard devices (such as printers and serial ports), but they can also be used to access specific unique resources on those devices, such as disk partitions.

Additionally, DEVICE files are useful for accessing system resources that have no connection to any actual hardware devices, such as data sinks and random number generators.

There are two general types of DEVICE files in Unix-based operating systems, known as character special files and block special files.

The difference between them lies in the amount of data that the operating system and the hardware read and write.

These together can be called device special files in contrast to named pipes, which aren't attached to a device but aren't ordinary files either.

Software to open a DEVICE file

DEVICE files are binary files that should not be attempted to be opened manually by the user.

UNIX

How Can I Open DEVICE File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open DEVICE file is to find a DEVICE file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a DEVICE 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 DEVICE 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 DEVICE file opener then try to search online for "DEVICE viewer", "application to open DEVICE file" or "open DEVICE file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open DEVICE file

How Can I Open DEVICE File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a DEVICE file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a DEVICE 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 DEVICE file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as DEVICE file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open DEVICE file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open DEVICE file then try to search for "DEVICE viewer", "application to open DEVICE file" or "read DEVICE file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read DEVICE file

How Can I Open DEVICE File on Android

If you downloaded a DEVICE 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 DEVICE 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 "DEVICE".
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 "DEVICE viewer", "DEVICE 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 DEVICE File on iPhone or iPad

To open DEVICE 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 DEVICE 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 "DEVICE". This way you can find apps which can open DEVICE 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 "DEVICE viewer" or "DEVICE file" online in your favorite search engine.

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