What is a PIM file?
The .PIM file extension is used by several different software applications. Its most common use is as a phone contact backup file based on the vCard standard. However, a .PIM file can also be a chlorophyll fluorescence imaging data file created by Photon Systems Instruments, an XML label design project for Pimaco Assistente+, or a Percent Identity Matrix generated by Clustal sequence alignment software. Additionally, the audio industry uses the .PIM extension for the Pro Tools Controller Plug-in Mappings File developed by Avid Technology.
How to open PIM files?
Opening a .PIM file depends entirely on the software that created it. Contact backups can often be imported into standard contact managers. Scientific data files require specialized tools like the Anritsu Master Software Tools. For audio mappings, you need Pro Tools. Because .PIM has multiple possible meanings, we recommend using viewer.online/pim to identify the actual format of your file before trying to open it locally.
Best practices and troubleshooting
If you do not know the origin of a .PIM file, do not change the file extension. Some .PIM files are saved in plain XML or text formats and can be viewed in a text editor. Others use internal zlib compression or proprietary binary formats that require specific software.
Software and tools
Summary
viewer.online/pim can analyze .PIM files to identify the exact format and creator software, inspect the file structure, extract readable text, and check whether an online preview is available. Ultimately, viewer.online/pim is useful for identifying, inspecting, and understanding .PIM files without installing software or dealing with compatibility problems.