File Extension Database

Open QTL File

File extension QTL is used by the Quicktime media player from Apple, Inc. A QTL file (QuickTime Link) in its most common form is just an alternative extension for a Quicktime video or audio file. The reason the QTL file extension exists is simply to enable a movie posted on the internet to open in the Quicktime Player rather than the web browser plug-in.

When a user clicks a link to a File extension MOV file the web browser will load the file into the browser window for display with the plug-in, but when the user clicks a QTL file link, the file type is not registered to the plug-in, only the full player, and so the user will be prompted to download the file, or to open it with Quicktime Player. The QTL extension (MIME type application/x-quicktimeplayer) is recognised by Quicktime Player version 5 or greater, so you will need this software to open files of this type, although MOV and QTL are basically the same file type, so any MOV can be renamed with the QTL extension and any QTL file will work as a MOV file.

Since posting media on the internet in this way requires the user to download the whole movie before watching it and the movie is left on the user's hard disk, a lot of people choose to make the QTL file a small movie with a reference to the main movie. In this way the movie will still open in Quicktime Player but will play as it downloads, and only the reference QTL file will be left on the user's computer.

Another valid form of QTL file includes XML data containing the reference to the actual movie to be displayed. There have been a number of security vulnerabilities related to this type of QTL file that have allowed attackers to execute malicious programs on the viewer's computer. To be safe, it is wise to only open QTL file links on website that you trust.

Typical QTL application file locations:

C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QuickTimePlayer.exe "%1"

Typical QTL mime types:

application/x-quicktimeplayer

Frequently used application names to open QTL files:

QuickTime

Frequently associated Windows objects:

QuickTime.qtl

How Can I Open QTL File on Windows

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

How Can I Open QTL File on Mac OS

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

How Can I Open QTL File on Android

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

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