Open AIF files

Full name

Audio Interchange File Format Sound Format
Developer

Apple
Popularity

Have you encountered a problem with a AIF file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a AIF file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your AIF file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is AIF file?

The Audio Interchange File Format, (ending aif, more rarely also aiff) was developed by Apple in the late 80s and represents the standard audio format on the Macintosh operating system. The equivalent on Windows systems is the resource Interchange File Format (extension riff).

More info

In a standard AIF file, the audio data contained is stored uncompressed as PCM. Therefore, such files are quite large. In addition to the standard format, there is also the AIFC format, which also knows various types of compression. Although there is a native extension for this on the Mac (AIFC), only the AIF or AIF suffix is often used for compressed AIF files. However, most applications can still play these files without any problems.
On Windows, it should be noted that most applications can not cope with all compression methods. Here only iTunes or the Quicktimeplayer helps, because these programs can deal with all variants.

Programs which can open a AIF file

Windows

Mac OS

Android

VLC media player

How to open file with AIF extension?

In order to open a file with AIF extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening AIF file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with AIF files, follow the instructions below.

Install QuickTime Player or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening AIF files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support AIF files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of AIF files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set QuickTime Player as the default program for opening AIF files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate AIF files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the QuickTime Player applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where QuickTime Player has been installed.

Check the section that lists most common problems with AIF files

Sometimes problems with opening AIF files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

File data is corrupted
AIF files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open AIF files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
AIF file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)