What is a META file?
A .META file is a metadata file that contains information about another file or dataset. Because "metadata" means "data about data," many different software programs use the .META extension. The most common use is in the Unity game engine, where it tracks settings and references for game assets. Other common uses include game data for Grand Theft Auto V via the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine, email metadata in the Zimbra Collaboration Suite, and partial download information in Telegram. Historically, it was also used as a RealPlayer Metafile by RealNetworks.
How to open META files?
Because .META files have multiple possible meanings, you must first identify the correct format. Many .META files use plain text formats like XML or JSON. You can open these with basic text editors like Notepad++ on Windows or Apple TextEdit on macOS. However, if the file uses a binary format, a text editor will show unreadable characters. In this case, you need the original software, such as the Unity editor or a specific game engine tool.
Analyze and view with viewer.online
Since a .META file can belong to many different programs, viewer.online/meta can analyze .META files to identify the exact format and creator software, inspect the file structure, extract readable text, and check whether an online preview is available.
Summary
A .META file is an essential data container for game engines, email servers, and media players. If you do not know the source of your file, viewer.online/meta is useful for identifying, inspecting, and understanding .META files without installing software or dealing with compatibility problems.