File Extension Database

Open M3U File

The M3U extension file is a file format that stores media playlists.

M3U files, at first, were supported only by Winamp, however, currently the format is supported by multiple players, making it universal.

Such players include: AIMP, foobar2000, Mediamonkey, iTunes, JuK, VLC, Windows Media Player, and XMMS, among others.

Importantly, M3U files only target audio files, and sometimes video, so that a media player can queue them for playback.

These M3U files are text-based and can contain both URLs and absolute or relative paths to multimedia files or folders.

UTF-8 encoded M3U files are saved in the M3U8 file format.

You should consider that the M3U file, itself, is not a multimedia file.

Although the files targeted by the M3U may open fine in a different media player than the ones listed above, the program may not be able to interpret the encoding of the M3U file.

Software to open an M3U file

To open and work with an M3U file, you need one of the following software packages:

Typical M3U application file locations:

C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe /open "%L"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunes.exe" /play "%L"
%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe /prefetch:6 /Open "%L"
C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QuickTimePlayer.exe "%1"
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" /prefetch:6 /Play "%L"

Typical M3U mime types:

audio/mpegurl

Frequently used application names to open M3U files:

iTunes
Windows Media Player
QuickTime

Frequently associated Windows objects:

iTunes.m3u
M3UFile
Microsoft.Zune.2.M3U
QuickTime.m3u
WMP11.AssocFile.m3u
WMP11.AssocFile.M3U

How Can I Open M3U File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open M3U file is to find a M3U file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a M3U 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 M3U 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 M3U file opener then try to search online for "M3U viewer", "application to open M3U file" or "open M3U file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open M3U file

How Can I Open M3U File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a M3U file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a M3U 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 M3U file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as M3U file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open M3U file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open M3U file then try to search for "M3U viewer", "application to open M3U file" or "read M3U file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read M3U file

How Can I Open M3U File on Android

If you downloaded a M3U 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 M3U 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 "M3U".
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 "M3U viewer", "M3U 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 M3U File on iPhone or iPad

To open M3U 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 M3U 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 "M3U". This way you can find apps which can open M3U 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 "M3U viewer" or "M3U file" online in your favorite search engine.

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