What is a MDINFO file?
A .MDINFO file is an iPhone Backup Information File created by Apple. When you back up an iOS device using iTunes or Finder, the software generates these files to store metadata about the backup process. This metadata includes the device name, unique identifiers, and backup version details.
How to open MDINFO files?
Most users do not need to open .MDINFO files manually. iTunes reads them automatically when you restore a device. However, you can still inspect their contents. Because these files use the standard plist format, you can view the text using code editors like Notepad++ on Windows or TextEdit on macOS.
Best practices and troubleshooting
Do not delete or modify .MDINFO files. If you alter the metadata, your backup will fail to restore. If you suspect a file is broken or from an unknown source, viewer.online/mdinfo analyzes .MDINFO files to identify their exact format and creator software, shows which programs can open the file, and usually previews it.
Software and tools
Besides official Apple tools, digital forensics professionals use extraction software like Cellebrite UFED or consumer managers like iBackupBot to parse iOS backup directories, which include the .MDINFO files.
Summary
Because .MDINFO files use the known plist format, viewer.online/mdinfo can safely open and display them online, eliminating compatibility problems.