File Extension Database

Open PK3 File

The PK3 is a type of compressed game data file used by games based on the Quake III (id Tech 3) engine, developed by id Software.

About id Tech 3

id Tech 3, popularly known as the Quake III Arena Engine, is a game engine developed by id Software for its popular Quake III Arena video game.

Although it was designed for Quake III, this engine has been adopted by numerous games.

Being a competitor to the Unreal Engine, both engines were widely licensed.

The PK3 file may contain maps, textures, audio clips, or other data used for gameplay, and may also be modified to create custom game content.

PK3 files are similar to PAK extension game data files, but are based on a newer format.

Since PK3 files are compressed, they can be renamed with a ZIP file extension and extracted using any file unzip program like WinZip or PKZIP.

Quake III PK3 files must be saved in a very game-specific directory for it to work, such as: quake3/q3ut3, quake3/baseq3, or quake3arena/q3ut3.

Games that take advantage of the id Tech 3 engine and therefore the PK3 file:

Quake III Arena
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Call of Duty Classic.

How Can I Open PK3 File on Windows

We researched and learned that the best way to open PK3 file is to find a PK3 file in question in Windows OS File Explorer and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a PK3 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 PK3 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 PK3 file opener then try to search online for "PK3 viewer", "application to open PK3 file" or "open PK3 file" queries in the search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can open PK3 file

How Can I Open PK3 File on Mac OS

We recommend to find a PK3 file in question in Mac OS Finder and double click on it to launch the corresponding application.
If a PK3 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 PK3 file.
If you know the Mac OS application which can work as PK3 file opener you can choose the "Choose Application..." option in the error box to associate the file extension and open PK3 file in it.
If you don't know the application which can open PK3 file then try to search for "PK3 viewer", "application to open PK3 file" or "read PK3 file" queries in the online search engine you like.
Install the application you found and check if it can read PK3 file

How Can I Open PK3 File on Android

If you downloaded a PK3 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 PK3 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 "PK3".
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 "PK3 viewer", "PK3 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 PK3 File on iPhone or iPad

To open PK3 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 PK3 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 "PK3". This way you can find apps which can open PK3 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 "PK3 viewer" or "PK3 file" online in your favorite search engine.

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